Jeffrey Straker is bringing his piano-based, earthy music to the OSS Community Theatre Nov. 22. (Publicity photo)
Saskatchewan-born musician Jeffery Straker will be bringing his piano-based, earthy, music to the Osoyoos Concert Series Nov. 22. He will be accompanied by double bass player Danny Jones.
Committee member Pat Philpott said that when delegates from the Osoyoos Concert Series Society saw Straker perform at the Pacific Contact Conference “they were really impressed.”
Straker grew up studying classical piano in the tiny village of Punnichy, Saskatchewan.
He is a talented artist with a long list of achievements, who conveys his prairie roots through his expressive music and meaningful lyrics.
“Our audience would warm to that kind of thing,” Philpott said.
His songs style ranges from energetic and uplifting to hauntingly moving. He has performed 200 shows throughout the world and always provides a memorable concert experience. When he is not touring, he divides his time between Toronto and Regina and focuses his gift for song writing on the folk-pop genre.
His singing voice has been called “soulful” by the Calgary Herald and his musical style has been compared to song writing masters Billy Joel and Kris Kristofferson.
Canadian Musician Magazine called Straker “very much an artist to watch,” and in a past review, the Toronto Star said:
“He’s honed his work to the point where there’s rarely a note, chord or word too many or too few. And as a lyricist, he’s at least the equal to any wordsmith (Elton) John has worked with.”
In 2014 Straker performed at Vina del Mar International Song Festival in Chile, Latin America’s oldest and largest music festival, and his song Hypnotized won the international category.
Straker has performed orchestral versions of his music with several Canadian symphony orchestras and collaborated with the Youth Ballet of Saskatchewan whose Artistic Director Michelle McMillan choreographed a new piece set to his music.
Straker has released eight albums. He is touring in support of his latest album, entitled Dirt Road Confessional, which was released in 2017. The 12-track album is a deeply personal one for Straker and the songs are about his life experiences as a musician thus far and of the people in his hometown.
The concert will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the Osoyoos Secondary School Community Theatre.
Tickets are $23 in advance for adults and $15 for students and can be purchased at Mills Office Supply in Osoyoos or at Sundance Video in Oliver or at the door for $25.
MICHELE WEISZ
Osoyoos Times
