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Grammy nominated bluesman heading west

A Grammy-nominated American blues cat is joining forces with an Italian harmonica player to liven things up in Turner Valley this weekend.
Guy Davis
New York blues cat Guy Davis, left, and Italy harmonica player Fabrizio Poggi will perform a folk-blues concert for the Beneath the Arch Concert Series Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in Turner Valley’s Flare ‘n’ Derrick Community Hall.

A Grammy-nominated American blues cat is joining forces with an Italian harmonica player to liven things up in Turner Valley this weekend. The Beneath the Arch Concert Series is kicking off the season with Guy Davis and Fabrizio Poggi in a folk-blues concert that will get toes tapping Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in the Flare ‘n’ Derrick Community Hall. Davis is an accomplished actor, author and music teacher who’s known for his talent with the guitar, banjo and harmonica, having 20 years of songwriting and performing under his belt. “I get marketed as a blues artist, but I’m larger than that,” he said. “I’m also a folk artist, ragtime artist, storytelling artist. Blues and folk is what I’m going to mostly encompass on stage.” Davis and Poggi have been in Canada since Sept. 30, performing in communities from the west coast to Calgary, often at sold-out venues. Turner Valley is their last stop before returning home. The two have shared the stage on and off for more than a decade after meeting at a concert in the Italian part of Switzerland, said Davis. “Over the years, sometimes he comes to perform with me and sometimes I’ve gone to perform with him,” Davis said. “We’re both two independent musicians, but when we’re able to work together and meet up with each other we do.” Davis has performed in Canada for more than 25 years, averaging about twice a year in recent years. He describes his Canadian audience as enthusiastic and appreciative. “I find in Canada people don’t take me for granted - they come to listen to me,” he said. “If I was going to hang my hat somewhere else besides the States I would come here and do it. I’ve got great connections, a lot of folks want to hear music and I’ve met a lot of famous musicians up here, people like Ken Whiteley.” When Davis and Poggi enter the stage in Turner Valley, the audience can expect plenty of storytelling and a tribute to the legendary Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry. Davis’ latest album, the Grammy-nominated Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train, released in early 2017, pays homage to two of Davis’ biggest musical influences. “Mostly we’re going to be doing covers of songs by Brownie McGhee and Sonny Terry,” he said of this weekend’s concert. “It’s going to be very musical, very fun and very interactive. I’m doing all the story telling and Fabrizio is pretty closed mouth - he tells his stories through the harmonica. I tell the story with guitar, harmonica and voice.” Tickets to see Guy Davis and Fabrizio Poggi perform cost $25 in advance for adults, or $30 at the door, and $10 for children age 6 to 12. Tickets can be purchased at Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond or at beneaththearch.ca

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