Musical forces collide
The Sumner Brothers will be sharing the stage with Mojo Zydeco this Saturday at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch.
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Updated: August 06, 2009 12:30 PM
Alex Browne
Arts Reporter
At first blush it might seem like an unlikely teaming.
But hot-as-peppers Southwest Lousisiana-style dance band Mojo Zydeco and earthy roots/folk/alternative country act The Sumner Brothers share more than a home base on the Peninsula.
They’re both fueled by a passionate attachment to music rooted in folk traditions that continue to have strong resonance today. And they’re both inspired by the special magic that happens when a live band meets a roomful of responsive people.
That’s certainly in the offing Saturday night (Aug. 8) at the Royal Canadian Legion Crescent Branch 240 (2643 128 St.) when the two groups join forces for a dance gig that will see them trading sets – and maybe even fusing into a single lineup for the finalé.
Mojo leader Randy Schultz said the idea for the extravaganza started percolating months ago.
“Bob Sumner was at a Mojo Zydeco show and he joined the band on washboard and really enjoyed himself,” Schultz said.
“Sometime after that I attended a Sumner Brothers show and was equally taken by the energy and the strong vibe in the room. We mused about the idea of a combined event that showcased the roots music that both bands were so deeply involved with. I remember Bob saying ‘that would be an awesome show!’ “
The Sumners (Brian and Bob, vocals, guitars, banjos, harmonicas; Mike Ardagh, drums; Michael Agranovich, bass) have won a strong following both locally and internationally with their pared-down, fearlessly honest brand of country folk and blues – a breath of fresh air in an overly-mechanized landscape of pop.
“They’re Elvis meets Johnny Cash in an alternative universe,” Schultz said.
Schultz’ band – which the guitarist describes as the result of a serious case of ‘Bayou flu’ caught years ago by himself and his wife, Jane, washboardist with the group – continue to be dynamic proponents of the catchy, upbeat dance music of rural Louisiana.
Current lineup includes bassist Dave Claremont and drummer Kevin Jones, plus accordionists Haike Kingma and Alan Zisman.
A lesser band might not have survived the blow that came in May of this year, when accordionist/keyboardist extraordinaire Jack Velker – a founding member – passed away.
“He left a huge hole in the Vancouver live music scene, having played with and influenced countless numbers of fellow musicians and audiences since the ’60s,” Schultz said.
“Losing Jack was so profound that the band nearly dissolved. But somehow the decision was made to keep on with the journey that began with him. We’re resolved to carry on in the spirit so powerfully shown by our friend.”
The spirit is typified by an anecdote that has become a typically wry band joke.
In an early summer show in Vancouver the band was using three accordion players “to make it through the night,” Schultz said.
“A fan asked Dave Claremont what was up with all the accordion players. Dave simply replied: ‘How many accordion players does it take to replace Jack?’”
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