Performers

Abby K is a singer/songwriter from Tofield, Alberta who has a passion to perform with a unique and soulful voice. Her love for music is concentrated in the pop/folk genre.

Hailing from Calgary, Amy began her music career around campfires, at block parties, and in church choir. Knowing a career in music is no guarantee, Amy decided to practice other trades, but her passion for music prevailed, leading her to collaborations with Moby and opening for April Wine, Farmer’s Daughter, and Chris Cummings. Amy has an instinctive ability to craft stories into song and deliver them with sincerity and passion, all qualities that make her an undeniable Canadian talent.

​Amy “wowed” Canada with her appearance on CTV “The Launch” in 2018. This opened up industry doors as she was quickly signed by both a booking agency and management company.  In March 2019 Amy performed at the prestigious Canadian Screen Awards in Toronto.

BB and the Backsliders have played every Wild Oats and Notes since the very beginning and happy to be back.

Bill Sylvester on drums.

Dan Mcdonald on sax.

Bob Walker on bass.

Howard Bergeron on guitar.

Ben Todd vocals and multi instrumentalist.

Benjamin Williams is a professional musician and entertainer based in Edmonton, whose robust voice and eclectic repertoire has resonated from the stages of Canmore Folk Festival and Big Valley Jamboree, all the way to your local neighbourhood watering hole… not to mention Wild Oats and Notes!

David James and Big River are often described as one of the most authentic Outlaw Country tribute shows touring today. Thousands of fans agree with those reviews, as they routinely sell out shows in venues large and small across Canada and the U.S.

 From the way James  holds his guitar to the way he talks to his audience, the legendary musicians live again when James steps to the mike and says, “Hello – I’m almost Johnny Cash,” or plays that classic leather bound Telecaster guitar like Waylon.

Bill Durst, always an audience favourite,  is a Canadian Blues- Rock- Roots guitarist, singer, songwriter, entertainer who has written and recorded over 125 songs on 12 albums with 7 national radio chart hits. Bill has opened for or shared the stage with Rush, Areosmith, BTO, Yardbirds, John Mayall, Savoy Brown, Bobby Rush, Little Feat, George Thorogood, Bad Company, Loverboy, Edgar Winter Group, Jeff Healey, Burton Cummings, Johnny Winter, Rick Derringer, Jack de Keyser, April Wine, L.A. Guns, David Wilcox, Bob Seger, Sly And The Family Stone and more. Mr. Durst has toured across North America and in Europe and tours extensively in Canada.

Hailing from Vancouver BC, Canada, Cousin Harley, can explode like an active volcano, swing like the Basie band and holler like A lonesome hillbilly in the back woods of the Appalachia, all in a single show. This trio has been rocking  international audiences for 20 years! Not to be trifled with and not to be missed, folks, this is Cousin Harley!!!

Called the “Motorhead of Rockabilly” by a delirious fan after a particularly raucous show in Holland, there’s nothing tentative about Cousin Harley’s pedal to the metal approach to this stripped down form of rock and roll. As Pigat notes, “Cousin Harley’s been my main project for 12 or 13 years now, and people think it’s easy to play rockabilly, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Everyone has to be on board from the first note or it just doesn’t work.” And judging from the people who drove or flew hundreds of miles to attend shows on his last European jaunt, everything’s working just fine.

The origin of Alberta-born, alternative/indie artist Danielle Dayton’s soulful voice and songwriting savvy is atypical. The tap dancer turned singer-songwriter has a unique relationship with music, rhythm and story. Her experiences as a dancer have shaped the style and groove of the music she creates, securing accolades from Alan Cross, DOMINIONATED and Great Dark Wonder. Her 2017 EP “Run” received an Edmonton Music Award nomination and her following singles “Spider Blues” and “Lady Luck” set in motion two Canadian tours from Vancouver Island to Toronto. 

Led by acclaimed Edmonton saxophonist and singer Dave Babcock, The Nightkeepers offer a fresh take on a vintage sound in the Canadian blues scene. Inspired by the classic blues and soul acts topping the R&B charts in the ‘50s and early ‘60s, The Nightkeepers are known for their decidedly ‘uptown’ jump blues style and high-energy performances. Their signature sound showcases Dave Babcock’s soulful voice and sultry saxophone, the fiery guitar of Alex ‘Sparky’ Herriot and the driving piano style of Rooster Davis. 

Dave won the Calgary Blues Music Association’s ‘Horn Player of the Year’ Award in 2013 and was nominated for a Maple Blues Award in the same category in 2009. Alex was a founding member of Maple Blues Award-winning band ‘The Rockin’ Highliners’ and plays with an intensity matched by few. Steeped in the New Orleans piano tradition, Rooster won the Edmonton Blues Society’s ‘Album of the Year’ in 2016. The Nightkeeper’s five-piece lineup also features the top-notch rhythm section of Harry Gregg on bass and Jamie Cooper on drums. Whether playing a nightclub or a festival stage, The Nightkeepers always put on a great show, delighting audiences with their brand of original and vintage blues and R&B.

David Jay, “The Spaniard,” is a self-taught, virtuosic, instrumental guitarist based in Edmonton, AB. Jay has combined his love for metal, classical, flamenco, and avant-garde folk to create beautiful hybrid pieces for fans to adore. Perfecting his use of a live looping pedal, Jay recreates tense and beautiful soundscapes as a one-man self-described “guitar orchestra.” Being dubbed “The Fastest Guitar Player in Alberta” by Stephan Boissonneault (founder of DAZE magazine), The Spaniard’s live performance will both shock and amaze.

Jay has toured Western Canada and has played at various festivals including the mainstages of the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, Astral Harvest, Taste of Edmonton, Edmonton International Fringe Festival, K Days, the Canadian Rodeo Finals, and others. 

His debut EP “The Spaniard” has been awarded with the “Best World Music Recording of the Year” and the “Best Instrumental Recording of the Year” at the 2019 Edmonton Music Awards. As well as the best “Instrumental EP of the Year” at the 2020 Independent Music Awards based in New York City.

Hola, soy Eva Kabande. Tengo 20 años como cantante profesional. Actualmente, participo en La Voz México. Conózcanme.

Hi there. I’m Eva Kabande, from The Voice Mexico. Get to know me.

A musician and performer with a career spanning 20 years. I have three productions, the 1st is called Longing, the 2nd is called Eva and the 3rd is Skin Deep. Right now I am doing another production of bohemian music. I was a participant in La Voz México number 5. I had the opportunity to share with Gloria Trevi, who was my coach in this adventure. I also had the opportunity to sing with Gloria Trevi at the Telmex auditorium, a very important place in Guadalajara Jalisco where artists perform. I have also had the opportunity to share the stage with some other artists, my taste for music is infinite and I want to share my passion.

Jim and Penny Malmberg are a singer/songwriter duo who have been writing and performing for the past 19 years. Their writing focuses on love in its many forms served up with humour and passion. Who can’t use more love? Acoustic arrangements of guitars and mandolin leave plenty of room for beautiful harmony singing to convey their message.

With a voice and pen that echoes the phrases of Dylan, the delivery of Van Morrison and the coolness of Tom Petty, John Hewitt is a force to be reckoned with. As a songwriter he involves the abstract imagery of the Beat Poets. As a performer he adds the energy of the Beatles. As a producer he creates sound waves inspired by the greats such as Brian Wilson and Phil Spector. With three releases under his belt since March 2020 he’s set to hit the major summer festival stages in 2022. A hungry force two years in the making, and a band behind him as his fuel you’ll be mesmerized by the quality, the content and its authenticity.

Armed with a soulful, velvety voice, Edmonton-based singer/songwriter Kaeley Jade effortlessly blends lush poetry and hooky melodic lines to craft music that is both playful and poignant. Reminiscent of artists like Maggie Rogers, Vance Joy and Taylor Swift, the Métis artist explores the beauty and complexity of human relationships in her vibrant and polished indie pop. 

Leo Martinez got his musical start playing bass for a salsa band that saw him on stages across Canada including spots at major events such as the Winnipeg Jazz and the Revolstoke Blues Festival. Now as a solo artist, Martinez has sold out shows at Edmonton’s Rec Room South, opened for the likes of Boogie Patrol and Jay Allen, and continues to impress his audiences with his high energy performances. He combines a strong sense of rhythm with a gritty vocal style, often playing both guitar and bass drum while delivering classic and original material.

With the goal of “uniting the hippies and the cowboys” as Willie Nelson once did decades ago, Storvold is quickly finding her sure-footing in the shifting landscape at the intersection of Singer-Songwriter & Psych-Folk.

Having a fascination with site-specific performance, Storvold has carved out a place for herself playing unique venues, including a 4-storey planetarium CD release, a mountain cave requiring the audience to spelunk into the show, a trampoline park, and a streetcar perched on a bridge above the North Saskachewan River. She has also showcased her songcraft in more conventional venues, such as the Edmonton Folk Fest, Canmore Folk Fest, Tiny Lights, Bear Creek Folk Fest, North Country Fair, Stampede City Sessions (airing to over 3.5 million unique viewers), and Wild Mountain.  She has also held official performances at BreakOut West, Folk Alliance, and most recently, Alberta Showcase.

Unapologetically genuine, wry, and soft-hearted – Mariel Buckley has planted her flag firmly as a songwriter who’s in it for the long haul. She aims to find herself squarely on the fringes and exactly where she belongs: singing and writing songs for the underdog.

Her candor and magnetic live show have been charming listeners across North America since her debut LP, Driving In The Dark [2018]. With some impressive accolades on the way including Roots Artist of the Year (Western Canadian Music Awards, 2019), and taking home the grand prize of $100,000 from the year long Project Wild commercial radio artist contest, Mariel was ready for her next move. 

Now with her debut album and thousands of miles under her belt, Buckley looks to turn country/folk music on its head, with her follow-up album, Everywhere I Used To Be [2022].

You might hear the tunes of the Misery Mountain Boys drifting from behind a rotating bookcase of a 1930’s speakeasy. Harkening back to a simpler time, the MMB’s create a collaborative soundscape infused with humour, tongue-in-cheek wit, nostalgia, and playfulness. With a mix of catchy originals and contemporary songs reimagined in driving swing, the melodies of the MMB’s deliver themselves as both surprising and inevitable. The band offers a diverse range of sonic experiences, urging audiences to gyration in the tassel-clad, sweaty swing numbers, and swaying in the velvety jazz tunes.

Howlin’ Pete and his Wolves are bent on rockin’ you back in time with hard hitting original rock and roll and favourite classics. A dance-driven rock and roll band, touring across Canada and playing internationally at festivals like Viva Las Vegas and Italy’s Summer Jamboree. 

Hailing from Edmonton Alberta, Picture The Ocean used to be Jesse Dee & Jacquie B. By their own admission they have left a more rootsy sound behind to focus of something that they describe as alt-pop.

Raygun Cowboys are a psychobilly punk rock n’ roll band hailing from the very best dive bars and poolrooms of Edmonton, AB. This 50’s influenced 5-piece outfit plays insanely high-energy badass rockabilly with elements of punk and rock n roll that instantly gets people on the dance floor from the first to the last.

Substance and accessibility are often considered opposing forces when it comes to pop music, making it all the more impressive when a band like Scenic Route to Alaska so effortlessly delivers ample doses of both.

The easygoing Edmonton-based trio, comprised of Trevor Mann on lead vocals and guitar, drummer Shea Connor, and bassist Murray Wood, effortlessly weaves catchy vocals and memorable melodies through rich arrangements – instantly engaging but begging to be heard again and again.

Shady Mavis is an acoustic music trio that plays a variety of tasty tunes, from the rootsy side to folk, country and bluegrass. We truly enjoy what we are doing and are focused on combining sweet vocal harmonies with the genuine love for playing music. Don Gammie is a singer/songwriter from Ontario with two (2) CD’s to his credit, and a soft country voice that will draw you in. Elaine Somerfield is a graduate of the Grant McEwan music program, and is a seasoned veteran of the road, having spent the last 35+ years in bands from Ontario to British Columbia. She is a multi-instrumentalist and can play piano, keyboards, accordion, flute, various other wind instruments, lap snare, saxophone etc, as well as songwriting. John Whittington is a singer songwriter and also plays guitar and mandolin. He has played in rock and R & B bands for the past 30+ years. The Shady Mavis trio was formed about 8 years ago and have been honing our craft ever since. Our songwriting has been influenced by John Hiatt, Chris Stapleton, The Grateful Dead and our goal is to continue writing songs for you. We have been fortunate to play a number of private functions & clubs throughout Alberta, as well as several music festivals.

Shaela Miller’s spent over a decade in Alberta country, and no doubt, her Joan Jett vibe, songwriting chops, and outstanding vocal tone could have put her on a number of paths, but she’s never bowed to the constant, overwrought attention-seeking bombast so common to today’s country radio.

As one of the Canadian prairie underground’s most respected independent artists, Shaela Miller is playing the music she wants to, adding the elements that progress for her vision, while firmly grounded in that go-to sound generation after generation grew up hearing on AM radio in single-cab farm trucks; picked-up shuffles and sweet, yearning songs depicting both the good times and hard times that only get written by someone who’s lived every minute of them. 

The Hearts deliver memorable melodies and moody harmonies that appeal evenly in soft seat theatres, dive bars, or at international music festivals. What sets them apart is just how naturally their down-to-earth songwriting rests against a dreamy backdrop of custom-made Americana  textures – six captivating musicians blending into one unforgettable sound.

Spanning four albums, The Hearts’ music has been featured in HBO and MTV productions, received international critical acclaim and charted across Canada. They’ve toured extensively and performed at international festivals including SXSW, Calgary & Edmonton Folk Festivals and Interstellar Rodeo. They’re revered for delivering an exciting live show where they trade, layer and cohere splendidly – mixing equal parts glitter and grit.