2023 Roots, Blues & Barbecue

MARCUS TRUMMER – MUSICAL HOST: Marcus Trummer weaves southern soul, blues, and roots rock into a modern sound steeped in tradition that Trummer calls “rock and soul”. Dubbed “a precocious guitarist whose vocals possess a wise-beyond-his-years weariness” by the Calgary Herald, Trummer has built a reputation as a compelling live performer on the back of playing numerous shows. Trummer’s songwriting ability has also earned him recognition with his latest release, Running on My Own, receiving Blues Recording of the Year at the 2022 YYC Music Awards. With a full-length album on the way for 2023, Trummer continues to establish his place as a notable emerging Canadian artist.

THE TRADE OFFS– Arctic Soul is distinguished by the deep brooding voice of Josh Qaumariaq and soulful background of Jeff Maurice set against blues and rock and roll sounds echoing from the depth of the Northern tundra. In a blend of Inuktitut and English lyrics, The Trade-Offs sing the Arctic blues about universal themes of light and darkness and closeness and isolation. While the band is a staples of the Iqaluit music scene, they have played across Canada on big and small stages alike, including main stage performances at major festivals and at the iconic Cameron House in Toronto. Be prepared to fall in love with Nunavut’s Arctic Soul.

 NDIDI O – Ndidi Onukwulu known as Ndidi O is a two time Juno nominated and WCMA blues artist of the year that has to date released five albums under her solo moniker and multiple singles as part of her trip hop duo BOGA. She has toured nationally and internationally playing festivals and concert halls. Her songs have been featured in numerous television programs and commercial campaigns such as for GAP, Orange is the New Black, CW’s The Flash, Hulu’s Cloak & Dagger and most recently Netflix’s “Self Made: Inspired by the life of Madame C.J Walker” starring Octavia Spencer.

Hailing from the wilds of British Columbia she found her voice in the “open mic ‘” scene in New York, discovered her sound in the heart of Toronto’s blues and folk scene, fine tuned her live show across Europe and has now finally settled for the moment back on the West Coast. 

“This country’s finest blues guitarist” – Globe And Mail

SUE FOLEY has been playing guitar since she was 13 years old. Like so many other musicians, it was the music of the early Rolling Stones that inducted her into the world of the blues. 

If you’ve been to Roots, Blues & Barbecue before, you know that the music is non-stop. This year we start with Charlie Jacobson in the Big Tent at 5 PM while you enjoy some barbecue with friends and family.  Then your musical host, Marcus Trummer keeps the celebration going throughout the evening as the sun goes down and the stars come out. It all makes for an unforgettable evening of great music, food, and community under a great big Alberta sky.