- Jann Arden is a two-time Juno-Award winner who will strike you with the lyrical beauty of her songs and the seemingly effortless power of her voice.
- Joan Armatrading is a brilliant singer/songwriter. Joan's great guitar playing will be augmented by a string section for a "special" acoustic performance.
- Les Barker hails from Manchester, England, and in his own words says he is a writer of strange poems and was an accountant before he became a professional idiot.
- Blackie & The Rodeo Kings This year Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing, and Tom Wilson of Junkhouse have joined to record the songs of one of Canada's greatest musical talents - Willie P. Bennett.
- Blue Rodeo - Canada's premiere roots band, known for their unique synthesis of rock, folk and country.
- Bill Bourne & Shannon Johnson - Always a welcome addition to the EFMF. Bill's brilliant song writing and musicianship combine with Shannon's masterful fiddle playing.
- Paul Brady - A great songwriter (ask Bonnie Raitt or Tina Turner) and a wonderful guitar and tin whistle player. We are delighted to welcome one of Ireland's top artists.
- Les Bûcherons - Edmonton's own "Lumberjacks" celebrate French Canadian traditions with instruments such as guitar, fiddle, button accordion, rhythm bones, jaw harp, washboard, wooden spoons, and even the saw.
- Richard Buckner is a singer/songwriter in the country-folk vein with a sandpaper baritone. His shimmering guitar work delivers his material with a frayed, convincing passion.
- Captain Tractor Edmonton's hottest new band has been making quite a name for themselves at home, across Canada and in New Zealand.
- Rosanne Cash - Rosanne Cash's highly personal and expressive songs have made her one of America's best singer/songwriters.
- Bruce Cockburn is one of Canada's best and although hard to believe, this is Bruce's EFMF debut performance. We are delighted he said "yes" and look forward to a special solo performance.
- Catie Curtis Prepare yourself for a distinctive new voice. Her songwriting and natural performance style have garnered fans and rave reviews.
- Alpha Yaya Diallo & Bafing - These African musicians fuse elements of traditional rhythms with modern funk, Jazz and Afro beats bringing exciting new music.
- Steve Earle & The Dukes - There are a lot of ways you can describe Steve Earle: renegade rocker, country maverick, American poet, hopeless romantic and fearless heart. But it all comes down to a single word - survivor.
- The Fairfield Four - One of the world's most influential gospel singing groups returns to the EFMF following their stunning debut in 1993.
- The Festival House Band - Amos Garrett (guitar) returns with Kit Johnson (bass), Ron Casat (keyboards), Rusty Reed (harmonica), Dave Babcock (horns) and Bohdan Hluszko (percussion).
- The Flirtations - They'll make you giggle. They'll make you scream. They'll make you sit back in awe. But mostly they'll make you ask your friends if they've ever heard of the Flirtations, the world's most famous proudly gay a cappella group.
- Four Bitchin' Babes - Fax it! Charge It! Don't ask me what's for dinner! Be prepared for more life according to Christine Lavin, Debi Smith, Megon McDonough and Sally Fingerett.
- Four Men and a Dog Combines Irish traditional music with the contemporary influences of jazz, R&B and country swing. The group's first recording, Barking Mad, was chosen as Album of the Year by Folk Roots magazine.
- Lennie Gallant - A native of Rustico, P.E.I., Gallant draws from his Acadian and Celtic roots, adding his own dynamic style.
- Jimmie Dale Gilmore is a Grammy Award winner for "Best Contemporary Folk Album". His music is a synthesis of folk, rockabilly and honky-tonk country.
- John Hammond is one of the premier blues artists of our time, taking musical stories of life and love from one regional pocket to another.
- Paul Hann - As a concert and recording artist, television/radio personality, composer of film music and children's performer, Paul does it all.
- Bert Jansch - Former member of Pentangle, Jansch has become a popular exponent of the "folk baroque" style. An EFMF debut.
- James Keelaghan - He has emerged as one of the most gifted songwriters of his generation, acclaimed by critics and fans.
- Paul Kelly is a brilliant Australian singer/songwriter and a dynamic live performer. We have tried to bring him to the EFMF for three years. Finally...
- Luann Kowalek - Her sensitive instinct for imagery, melodies and her honest lyrics have made this Edmonton native a favourite.
- Penny Lang - A voice that caresses, strong and true. Her songs are emotionally powerful observations of the human condition, sometimes poignant, sometimes humorous, always memorable.
- k.d.lang - Alberta's most successful musical export returns to her roots for her first Edmonton performance since 1989 and will play on Sunday night as she did in 1985.
- Anne Lederman Trio - Anne Lederman is a dynamic fiddler, singer, and multi-instrumentalist, both a composer and a bearer of tradition. Her current project with Laura Cesar (bass) and Sacha Luminsky (accordion) is a tour de force of original and traditional Canadian music.
- Limpopo - They have taken the U.S. and Canada by storm with their wild and crazy stage antics and music ranging from Russian folk to rock n' roll.
- David Lindley and Hani Naser - "Mr. Dave" is a king of the strings and a musical adventurer. A truly original artist. Simply top class. He is joined by long-time collaborator and percussionist, Hani Naser.
- Laura Love Band - A first time appearance at the EFMF, they successfully wed African and Caribbean rhythms with traditional acoustic instruments and intriguing harmonies into a style that they call "Afro/Celtic."
- Jay McShann - At 82, his finesse and power would be impressive in a pianist half his age; the balance between a propulsive left hand anchored in blues, boogie and stride, and a mischief-making right hand.
- Keb'Mo' - a.k.a. Kevin Moore, was born with "nothing but the blues." He fuses elements of American pop culture with elements of the bedrock blues tradition.
- Terry Morrison - Listening to this Edmonton based singer songwriter is like listening to someone telling your secrets. She can make you laugh, think, feel and get angry all in the space of an evening.
- The Nields are making a first time appearance at the EFMF. Their music ranges from comic to poignant, and is always full of surprises.
- A Night of Reckoning - A gifted collective of singer/songwriters and musicians from Nashville (Kevin Welch, Kieran Kane, Harry Stinson, Tammy Rogers and Mike Henderson) join for a special EFMF performance.
- Tim and Mollie O'Brien and the O'Boys - First time appearance for this sibling team. They create sweet harmonies, playing country, bluegrass, jazz, folk, spirituals and a cappella.
- Ron Pearson - Makes the impossible...possible. He is a gifted raconteur, gentle humorist and a witty trickster with a natural knack for people.
- Wyckham Porteous - He is one of the most gifted songwriters on the scene today. With songs rich in vivid details and characterization, Wyckham seeks knowledge, wisdom and refuge all in the same breath.
- Lionel Rault - Over the past two decades Lionel, alone or with a band, has been a mainstay of Edmonton's music scene. EFMF fans are familiar with Lionel - it is his fourth appearance at the festival.
- Red Thunder (Chadi K'azi) Native Dance Theatre - The dancers, who are from different Nations across Canada, focus on both historical and traditional forms of dance, and adaptations of other contemporary dance forms to embody the spirit of aboriginal First Nations.
- The Duke Robillard Band - His formidable command of blues, R&B, swing and roots styles is well known - Muddy Waters once said, "You know Duke, if I had you, I'd rule the world!"
- Tom Russell and Andrew Hardin - Tom Russell has been called, "one of the great undiscovered writers of Gothic-western music" and a "tour de force of social Americana." He will be joined by Andrew Hardin on guitar.
- Martin Simpson and Friends - Returning to the festival, Simpson is a guitar player's guitarist. His consummate skill and the depth of his playing is overshadowed only by the "range of his material and the passionate expression he brings to each performance."
- Chris Smith - Edmonton's own guitarist/songwriter is a member of the Marlin Spike House Band and also leader of the Piemyn.
- Laura Smith
- Takadja means "to vibrate while dancing." This international ensemble of percussionists, dancers and vocalists mix equal doses of ecstatic virtuosity, technical precision, and respect for tradition with the passion that comes from truly celebrating life.
- Värttinä - This 10 piece Finnish group is fronted by the powerful voices of four women who sing of Finnish love songs, marriage songs and songs of everyday life in their native tongue.
- Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - Her songs have been covered by Emmylou Harris, the Nashville Bluegrass Band, and Tim & Mollie O'Brien. Gillian's songs are haunting yet wondrously spiritual.
- Scott Wicken is an Edmonton performance poet and songwriter who makes his EFMF debut.
- Dar Williams - At 28, this vibrant performer is on a constant search. For truth, for time, for the essence of what makes for great songs and performance.
- Tim Williams - A blues-based singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist who has been described as "one of the finest songwriters anywhere."
- Victoria Williams - Widely acclaimed and respected as a songwriter, her music has been recorded by Lou Reed, Pearl Jam, the Waterboys and many others. She is a writer of craft and talent, an artist who, with vivid words and melodies, paints unforgettable pictures.
- Wolfstone - Scottish traditional music melded with the youthful exuberance of contemporary rock. They have been described as "Celtic Grunge" and "Bagpipes with an attitude."
|
