YORKTON -- The Yorkton Arts Council presents the Stars for Saskatchewan Series with Blue Moon Marquee headlining a show on Thursday, March 3, at 7:30 pm.
“We've played around Saskatchewan quite a bit,” said Jasmine Colette, who performs in the rhythm section of the band, noting, “I like playing in small towns, I like playing in Saskatchewan.”
This tour will see a trio take the stage in several Saskatchewan towns and cities including, Moosomin, Canora, Saskatoon, Regina and Weyburn to name a few.
The band's core members are Colette and vocalist/guitar player A.W. Cardinal, however, this tour will see them accompanied by Darcy Phillips.
Phillips is a professional musician of 35 years and the piano player for popular Canadian singer/songwriter Jann Arden.
“We're so grateful to have him,” said Colette, adding, “he's an absolute phenom; so diverse in his influences on the piano.”
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the group has seldom seen a stage over the last two years.
“It's been a while [since we toured],” said Colette, “we did manage to get a few shows in last summer.”
The band had previously been on tour for several months in the southern United States just prior to the start of the pandemic.
“We slid under the door as it was slamming shut,” said Colette in regards to travel bans that would be implemented soon after their return from the tour.
Colette said the pandemic took a toll on her and other artists alike.
“A lot of musicians were struggling, not just financially, but mentally,” adding, “trying to maintain some kind of motivation, or relevance...it's challenging. Musicians are questioning whether they can still do it, if they can keep going.”
Colette said the band managed to maintain their motivation throughout the pandemic, though arduous at times.
“We did a lot of live streams, we filmed a documentary of our time during the pandemic, we wrote and recorded a new album, we did our best to stay busy.”
Colette said the band currently has four full length albums with another completed and available for pre-order.
“The new album is finished but hasn't been released. You can pre-order it on our website.”
The album was co-produced by Duke Robillard, who has played with famous acts such as Bob Dylan and Tom Waits, and he appears on several tracks from the new album.
Colette said she holds Robillard in high regard.
“He played with a lot of the old jazz and blues greats, the people we look up to.”
The duo, both originally from the Alberta prairie, now reside on Vancouver Island, and have a lot of driving ahead of themselves. Colette said she isn't a huge fan of touring in the winter due to the unstable conditions that highways can sometimes end up in.
“It's a bit of a drag touring in the winter,” said Colette, noting, “we've been really lucky,” in regards to their safety while travelling.
The band's last Saskatchewan stop is in Weyburn. From there they’ll move onto Alberta with their last performance of the tour being Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory.
“Blue Moon Marquee is primarily a live duo with the energy and sound of a full band. Colette, the rhythm section, not only commands the upright bass but also brings the swing with her feet on the kick drum, snare, and high hat, all while singing harmonies. Cardinal is of the screaming and hollering blues tradition with distinctive thick and smoky vocals that barrel out like a raging bull. His guitar crackles with the swinging energy of jazz-tinged blues,” as noted in the biography section on their website, BlueMoonMarquee.com
For tickets and information visit YorktonArts.ca.
