The Festival House Band

The Festival House Band contains what might be sheepishly described as an embarrassment of talent. The collection of musicians, assembled to back headline artists travelling without a band, is capable of performing almost anywhere. Many of its members have fronted their own bands.

Part of the band's success comes from experience. Amos Garrett has played with the best of the best. His guitar has graced more than a few hit albums, and he's toured with a stellar collection of performers, such as Paul Butterfield, Stevie Wonder, Bonnie Raitt, Long John Baldry, Emmylou Harris and Maria Muldaur.

Rusty Reed has long been one of Alberta's premier harmonica players. He comprises a third of Triple Threat, and he's led his own band and performed with such blues greats as Sunnyland Slim, Yank Rachell, Spencer Davis, Otis Rush, Long John Baldry and many more.

Over the past 15 years, Dave Babcock has earned a solid reputation as one of Edmonton's finest musicians. A first-rate saxophonist and session man, Dave has played and recorded with blues legends Albert Collins, Taj Mahal, Jay McShann and Duke Robillard, as well as Canadian artists Long John Baldry, Amos Garrett and Colin James. He is currently leading the Gulf-Coast-style group, Fat Tuesday; and a '60s retro act, The Kit Kat Club; and fronts his own swingin' solo project.

Ron Casat makes the trip to Edmonton from Calgary, and brings his keyboards with him. He's a singer-songwriter in his own right, and he's also a member of the EH Team, as well as the swing-jazz band called the Cold Club of Canada.

Kit Johnson's bass has helped anchor the Festival House Band for more than a few years. A singer-songwriter, he co-wrote Lover of Mine, Alannah Myles' 1992 hit single, which also won SOCAN's Canadian Song of the Year. He's toured with Chris de Burgh, David Wilcox and Murray McLauchlan.

Bohdan Hluszko is an adept drummer and plays everything from country to blues to reggae. Bohdan has previously performed at our festival with Papa John Creach, Pinetop Perkins, Bobby King and Terry Evans, Flaco Jimenez, Ellen McIlwaine, Murray McLauchlan, Sylvia Tyson and Hans Theessink. Bohdan is always looking for new challenges and new places to bang his drums.