Paul Tessier

Special to The Morning Star

There seems to be one in every class. That香蕉视频直播檚 the kid who香蕉视频直播檚 like a sponge when it comes to music. Jack Semple was one of those kids. At the age of 10, he started taking guitar lessons. By the time he was 15, he was teaching guitar at the local music store and playing live at the Folk Guild in Regina.

Since then, Semple has won the Much Music Guitar Wars contest and a Juno award in 1991 for best roots recording. He has also won two Western Canadian Music awards and he香蕉视频直播檚 currently nominated for the Maple Blues awards for best blues guitarist.

Semple will be performing his brand of blues for the Vernon Folk-Roots Music Society on Friday, Jan. 18 at the Vernon Prestige Lodge and Conference Centre.

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Like so many kids in the 香蕉视频直播�60s, seeing the Beatles on television had a lasting impact.

香蕉视频直播淚 was about 10, when I saw them play on the Ed Sullivan show,香蕉视频直播� Semple recalls. 香蕉视频直播淭hen later that year, I saw B.B. King play the blues on TV. Music has been my passion ever since I was 10 years old.香蕉视频直播�

Early on, Semple played all sorts of styles on guitar. 香蕉视频直播淎t first, I studied classical guitar. Then I got into Flamenco guitar. But I always loved Blues music,香蕉视频直播� he explains. 香蕉视频直播淏ut I never got an electric guitar till I was 18. At the time, I got asked to join a party band around town- it was a good way to make money. So I started reexamining blues music and rock 香蕉视频直播榥 roll guitar.香蕉视频直播�

His delving into past music helped form his view of music and the blues. 香蕉视频直播淏lues music is the essential germ of rock 香蕉视频直播榥 roll, jazz, country, hip-hop and even heavy metal. It香蕉视频直播檚 the root and the source of that feeling in music.香蕉视频直播� Semple goes on to say, 香蕉视频直播淏.B. King香蕉视频直播檚 music always spoke to because it香蕉视频直播檚 so easily understood- yet incredibly difficult to pull off. Recently, I started doing a B.B. King tribute where I play a full evening of his songs. So I practiced his licks and studied his guitar style. I soon discovered that technically it香蕉视频直播檚 very hard to do but it香蕉视频直播檚 so lyrical and beautiful. So, I香蕉视频直播檝e discovered that blues music has always truly been at the centre of my gravity.香蕉视频直播�

In the late 80香蕉视频直播檚, his Regina-based band opened a show for the Lincolns: 香蕉视频直播淚 had seen the Lincolns a few times and they were basically the very best Toronto musicians playing classic soul and R&B music,香蕉视频直播� he remembers. 香蕉视频直播淭heir music really spoke to me because it was sophisticated, slick, well-played with a great stage presentation. So we opened for them and after the show, their leader asked me if i would join their band. And I said, 香蕉视频直播榃hat? You want me to join my favourite band?香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� he says with a laugh. 香蕉视频直播淚t was a great opportunity. My wife and I had a two year old at the time so we decided to move to Toronto and give it a shot.香蕉视频直播�

He spent a couple of years in Toronto and kept himself very busy. 香蕉视频直播淚 played on movie soundtracks, worked on albums and played all over Ontario and Western-Canada. It was great because I made so many connections in Toronto with folks I continue to play with to this day.香蕉视频直播� The move to Toronto also bolstered his confidence. 香蕉视频直播淛ust going there and seeing the level of talent- I came to realize I could compete on that level.香蕉视频直播�

The show on Jan. 18 will be very special because Semple will be reunited with Dave Chabot on bass.

香蕉视频直播淒ave and I played together for 30 years,香蕉视频直播� Semple says. 香蕉视频直播淒ave just moved to the Vernon area a few months ago. I miss him terribly because he and I are partners, basically. It香蕉视频直播檒l be absolutely great to play with him again.香蕉视频直播�

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Semple is also looking forward to doing some tunes from his new album, Can香蕉视频直播檛 Stop This Love!, released in September of last year. 香蕉视频直播淏ack in October of 2017, I spent two full months writing tunes for a new recording and I wrote 60 tunes in 60 days. I wrote a song every day. I just put the pedal to the metal and I came up with the best writing that I香蕉视频直播檝e ever done. Then I picked 10 of the songs and that香蕉视频直播檚 the new album. It香蕉视频直播檚 going over well and people are really enjoying it.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檒l be stuff you香蕉视频直播檒l be able to dance to for sure, Semple says, looking forward to the Vernon show. 香蕉视频直播� I香蕉视频直播檒l also be doing some instrumental, solo-guitar stuff and lots of tunes with bluesy vocals.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淧erforming live is very exhilarating because i want to connect with the audience and give them something that they can feel good about,香蕉视频直播� Semple says. 香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 the whole point- to make the audience feel good. I love taking the audience on a range of emotions- from happy, blues-shuffle music that makes you wanna dance to more thoughtful music that makes you want to reflect on your life and the world around you.When I can create that kind of journey for the audience, I feel I香蕉视频直播檝e given them something to remember.香蕉视频直播�

Tickets to the show are $30, $25 for Vernon Folk Roots Society members. Available through ticketseller.ca (250-549-7469), Expressions Of Time bookstore (2901- 30 Avenue) or at the door (if available and cash only.) Doors open at 6:30. Show at 7:30. Food (beef brisket sliders), beer and wine available at the show.

Memberships to our Society sell for $20. Society members receive a $5 rebate when attending a show and are eligible to attend our Annual General Meeting. More information on all shows for the upcoming season is available through vernonfolkroots.com and on Facebook (vernonfolkroots). For further information, please contact: info@vernonfolkroots.com.

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