The Pender Harbour Blues Festival, to be held on June 1, 2 and 3 boasts of an impressive line up of musicians!

Kicking off the Festival on Friday night at the Garden Bay Pub will be Guitar Virtuoso Russell Marsland. Russell has been a powerful presence in the Vancouver music scene for over 30 years and a headliner for the Vancouver International Jazz Festival for years.

Saturday night headliner at the Garden bay Pub will be the vibrant, genuine and soulful Dawn Pemberton. Dawn’s deep musical roots take her powerful voice from gospel and soul to jazz, funk and world music. Joining Dawn will be Sojourner member Will Sanders. Will’s exceptional talent and dynamic voice will make this an unforgettable performance that you’ll not want to miss.

If you want to dance the night away, be at the Pender Harbour Community Hall on Saturday night. International Sax player and 2012 Blues Music Award nominee, Terry Hanck will keep you on your feet all night. Sax player for Elvin Bishop for years, Terry will be serving up his New Orleans Gumbo, West Coast Jump and East Bay Funk all delivered with a heavy dose of blues & soul.

The Sunday Gospel Show at the School of Music is back by popular demand. Heading up the show is multi-music award winner and recent Maple Blues Award for Best Piano Player of the year nominee, John Lee Sanders. John will be joined by Dawn Pemberton and Will Sanders. This exhilarating show is guaranteed to raise the roof. John Lee will also be closing the Festival on Sunday night at the Garden Bay Pub. John Lee presents a musical gumbo of boogie piano, tenor sax and a soulful voice of spiritual range.

Not to miss is the All Star Jam on Sunday afternoon at the Garden Bay Pub hosted by the Tim Hearsey. Tim is an exceptional showman, considered to be the Best Guitar player on the West Coast. Come see the best from the best. Get your tickets early as this is a sold out show every year.

If you care to take in some Fine Dining while listening to some very fine music, The Painted Boat Restaurant will be presenting 2012 Juno Award nominee Murray Porter on Friday & Sat night. Murray is a self taught singer, songwriter & piano player, who’s spent the last 30 years playing the blues throughout the world, spreading his unique style of foot stomping and hand clapping native blues piano.

The Garden Bay Restaurant will also be offering Dinner Shows on Friday and Saturday night presenting the multi-talented Brando Isaak. Brandon, also known as Yukon Slim, is a top ranked & versatile Musician and master storyteller with a sharp sense of and love of the blues that has won him many fans and awards.

On Saturday afternoon, there will be free concerts in Madeira Park, John Henry`s Marina and the Crossroads Grill, featuring the best of our talented local Musicians.  There will also be an Arts & Crafts show in Madeira Park.