Whether it’s eventually going to be a green or a white Christmas, there’s always room in the colour scheme for the blues to enhance the mood.
Big Hank’s Christmas Blues Show, featuring the Smokin’ Hot Toasters, gets the seasonal spirit going in that direction Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Osborne Bay Pub in Crofton.
Hank Lionhart, who now lives in Sidney, sets the tone as the lead vocalist for the group that includes Steve Cross on guitar, Mick Woodhouse on bass, Matt Pease on drums, Steve Ranta on keys and Paul Wainwright on sax. Now that’s a lineup that can pound out some sound.
“Historically, we’ve been doing this show for nine years on the island,” said Lionhart. “We have probably our strongest lineup ever.”
Osborne Bay Pub is the kick-off this year for five shows in December on the island and mainland. The group will also be at Hermann’s Jazz Club in Victoria Saturday, Dec. 2; Frankie’s Jazz Club in Vancouver Dec. 8; the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney close to home now for Lionhart on Dec. 15; and Parksville’s Knox United Church Dec. 17.
“We normally go to Alberta mid-November, early December,” said Lionhart. “This year we’ve taken a break from Alberta. We did the last few years.”
The vibe is always great with audiences at the Osborne Bay Pub and he loves playing there.
“It’s a fantastic venue,” Lionhart said. “The people there that run it, Patricia (Berry) and her whole gang, they treat you so well.”
Lionhart is a mere 76 years old and “still rockin’ in the free world,” he says. “Two of us are in our 70s and some 60s.
“We formed the band back in ‘85 before Expo. We played together off and on. We had a hiatus for a number of years.
“The engine’s regenerated. Everybody’s having a good time.”
It’s been quite a road for Lionhart, who’s originally from Stettler, Alberta. He cut his teeth on the Edmonton bar and cabaret circuit early in his career and immersed himself in the blues with two of the best blues bands to come out of Western Canada in the ’70s and ’80s, Edmonton-based Hot Cottage and Victoria’s Uncle Wiggly’s Hot Shoes Blues Band.
Lionhart has been loving life since moving to this part of the world and is particularly enjoying his recent relocation to Sidney.
Tours over the years have taken the group throughout Alberta and different parts of B.C. and this Christmas show has consistently tied together a variety of classic blues styles, some r&b and a touch of soul.
“This show is all Christmas blues tunes, very unique,” said Lionhart.
“I don’t think the term ‘blues’ should throw them off. There’s a lot of up-tempo, good feel. There’s some beautiful ballads. It’s a mixture. They leave being a total blues fan.”
You’ll hear classics from the likes of B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Louis Jordan, Etta James and Big Joe Turner.
Songs on the set list include: Cryin’ Christmas Tears (Eric Clapton); Please Come Home for Christmas (Charles Brown); Blue Decorations (B.B. King); I Told Santa (Fats Domino); Christmas Date Boogie (Big Joe Turner) and many more plus some original songs.
“When people see the show, they are totally blown away how much great Christmas blues music is out there,” Lionhart enthuses. “We’re keeping the blues alive.”
Tickets for the show are $20 in advance ($25 at the door) through eventbrite and reservations are recommended by calling 250-324-2245.