The festival gets underway at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, followed by the parade at 9 a.m.; opening ceremonies commence at 10, including the presentation of the Artist of the Year Award.
In addition to music, the festival boasts Art in the Park, games and activities for the whole family, vendors and lots of food.
This year the Brentwood Bay Festival hosts Cuban jazz greats.
World-renowned Cuban jazz guitarist Valetin Puentes will join son Adonis at 4 p.m. in Pioneer Park to help close a full day of festivities and great music.
“I knew we’d have a great day of music when we booked Adonis Puentes and his band,” said organizer Glenda Kohse. “But when I got the message that his father would be visiting Canada and sitting in on the gig, I got really exited. This man is a legend in Cuba, and this is a very rare opportunity for us to experience this level of performance here on the Peninsula.”
The Puentes family’s musical pedigree puts them in the who’s who of Cuban jazz elites. Adonis and his bother Alex were touring veterans in Cuba by the time they hit their teens. Growing up with a famous dad, Cuban jazz guitarist Valentin Puentes didn’t hurt, as their house was always filled with music. Learning from the masters, Adonis and Alex grew up jamming with the likes of Alvita Rodriguez, Sylvio Rodriguez, Pablo Milanes, and Ibrahim Ferrer of the Beuna Vista Social Club fame. In 1995 they toured North America and wowed the Canadian jazz scene. In ‘98 Adonis and his brother moved to Canada and began performing as the Puentes Brothers. Their first Canadian CD was nominated for a Juno in 2001. Their debut album, Morumba Cubana received the kind of critical acclaim normally reserved for long-established Canadian artists; a Juno nomination in 2001, the Westcoast Music Award and an Indie award for the Best World Beat Independent Album of the Year. The brothers have gone in their own artistic directions, and Adonis now leads the Adonis Puentes Band. Adonis’ compositions, ranging from urban-flavoured freestyle to old style boleros, crackle with energy and invention. The festival is very proud that this summer, we’ll have the opportunity to see both Adonis and Valentin Puentes perform together.
Also on the Festival main stage is The Marc Atkinson Trio, bringing their acoustic guitar-driven gypsy jazz. Acoustic Guitar Magazine voted the trio’s CD one of the top five CDs released in North America in 2002. This CD was also nominated for best jazz album by the 2003 Western Canadian Music Awards. The trio also frequently performs at the internationally acclaimed Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, and at many major folk and jazz festivals across North America. Atkinson, a Canadian instrumentalist/composer/ arranger/producer, is one of Canada’s most talented musicians and is also a member of The Bills.
Chris Frye and The Analog Ghosts will be on hand at the Brentwood Festival as well. Frye, lead singer and guitarist in two-time JUNO nominee The Bills, and rhythm guitar player for The Marc Atkinson Trio, recently released his solo album, Raised On Rhythm And Rhyme. As the primary lyricist for The Bills, and the driving rhythm player in the Trio, Frye has developed into a superior folk poet and instrumentalist. The songs are built upon Frye’s West Coast lyrical imagery and stories, and are grounded with sublimely laid-back, catchy melodies and grooves.
Bluesman extraordinaire Dave Harris will be back once again with his spectacular one-man band blues extravaganza. Harris has performed for more than 20 years and his busking show in the inner harbour is one of Victoria’s most treasured assets. He has been the subject of a documentary which airs regularly on PBS. He plays acoustic, steel body, and electric guitars, fiddle, mandolin, harmonica fotdella, and foot operated drums. Harris’ blues sound as authentic as an old 78 recording, and his soulful multi-talents are as much fun to listen to as to watch.
Local favourite Shaky Ground will open the day at 11 a.m., with rock classics from the 50s to now. One of the most polished and hottest cover show bands around, Shaky Ground recently performed as back up band for Alan Frew of Glass Tiger. Band members have had careers as diverse as stadium tours of Australia, song writing major hits, and opening for bands like ZZ Top. They will also be performing later this month at Brentwood Bay’s Strawberry Dance on June 16th.
Leslie Gentile of The White Sisters hits the stage mid day with her contemporary blues folk fusion sound. With her powerful vocals and acoustic, electric and slide guitars, Leslie will be joined on stage by her daughters Aimee on lead guitar, and Lyse on tenor saxophone. Leslie toured and performed in the 90’s as one of The White Sisters, and is now working on a solo project.
The action will be just as great on the kids’ stage, with Paul Hann and Tony Eng performing for the younger members of the audience.
As a successful singer-songwriter of children’s music Paul has released seven albums. He starred in his own National Television Series for seven years and was twice nominated for a Juno Award. Paul’s commitment to entertaining young audiences is reflected in his live performances where he mixes both traditional favourites with original songs, easily relating material that both parents and children can enjoy. His concerts abound with amusing anecdotes, quick one-liners and many opportunities for participation.
Tony Eng is one of Canada’s most sought-after performers as a full-time professional magic entertainer. His shows have been seen coast-to-coast having toured across Canada and the United States. A twenty-year veteran of restaurant magic; a memorable and highly successful magical bartender; and even a magic shop owner for 19 years, Tony has certainly done it all! He is one of the most versatile, up-beat, energetic magicians you will come across. His outstanding reputation, matched with his hospitable nature, has earned him the title, “The Ambassador of Magic”.
Also on the kids stage will be a karate demonstration, readings by the Greater Victoria Library, and a folk dancing demonstration.