For the fifth year, from Sept. 26 to 28, the Deep Roots Music Festival will bring a whole world of fresh beats and fancy picking to Wolfville. The festival will feature more of North-America's best roots musicians, singer-songwriters and blues artists.
With more headliners to be announced throughout May and June, organizers are lifting the veil on some of the festival's 2008 line-up. Celebrated American singer/ songwriters Peter Case and Ari Hest, legendary world-blues singer-slide guitarist Ellen McIlwaine, multiple award-winning gypsy/ jazz guitarist Duane Andrews and the irresistible Quebecois folk ensemble Genticorum will join festival favorites Matt Andersen and The Hupman Brothers.
Performing for the first time in Nova-Scotia, Peter Case has had a celebrated career that spans 30 years. His latest recording, "Let us now praise Sleepy John," was one of this year's Grammy nominees for best folk album - Case's third nomination.
Now living in Calgary, Ellen McIlwaine first emerged on the Greenwich Village scene in the ‘60s, gracing the same stages as Odetta, Richie Havens, Mississippi John Hurt, Jimi Hendrix and Muddy Waters.
Ari Hest has "the gift of the golden voice;” his ultra-seductive singing moves effortlessly from a deep, rich baritone to a soaring, perfectly controlled, high falsetto. A prolific songwriter, this year he offers something unique: the "52" project. Throughout 2008, Hest is writing and recording one song a week, releasing them to subscribers on his website. So far, the songs are absolutely amazing.
www.arihest.com)
Inspired by legendary gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, Newfoundlander Duane Andrews performs an exciting mélange of acoustic jazz and folk music. He is this year's winner in the jazz category of the USA Songwriter's competition.
Genticorum are becoming one of the most sought-after proponents of Québécois musical culture. Weaving wooden flute, fiddle, acoustic guitar, jaw harp, bass and foot percussion with strong vocal harmonies; this "power folk trio" offers an irresistible blend of traditional songs and original compositions.
