An Evening with James Keelaghan and David Woodhead

Canadian folk singer, James Keelaghan is an internationally recognized singer songwriter, known for his finely crafted stories and his commanding performances. At home in Canada, he’s a Juno award winner and Canadian Folk Music Award winner who has grown from a popular coffeehouse act in Calgary to a festival and concert hall favorite. He has taken mainstage at some of the most prestigious festivals in the US, England, Australia, Denmark and Hong Kong. Aside from making music, Keelaghan broadcasts on CBC and hosts two shows on CKUA in Alberta

Keelaghan studied history at the University of Calgary, and his passion for stories, old and new, informs some of his best-known songs. These aren’t stuffy history lessons, but an inspired discovery of people and places in another time.  Many of the lyrics in his songs display a concern about social problems and justice in society.  Examples of such themes include “Kiri’s Piano”, about the internment of Japanese Canadians  and “House of Cards” about the financial crisis of 2007. And while many of Keelaghan’s most celebrated songs draw from historical accounts, his accounts of personal journeys are remarkable too… tender and unflinching.

Keelaghan’s lilting baritone voice, driving rhythm guitar, and a sense of scene and narrative makes for a concert to remember.  It was Dave Marsh, the award-winning American music critic who stated that James Keelaghan is “Canada’s finest songwriter,” and those few but powerful words of praise say it all about an artist who continues to set the bar at a lofty height.

Accompanying Keelaghan on bass is David Woodhead who has collaborated on about 300 albums and has worked with many influential artists including Perth County Conspiracy, Stan Rogers, Oliver Schroer, Gil Scott-Heron, David Sanborn, and James Keelaghan.  His own music draws from the intimacy of the folk world, the harmonic sensibilites of jazz, and a sense of precision from classical arranging, with room for freedom in individual expression and improvisation.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, Students/Children: $10. Available at the church office, Gulf of Maine Books, or online at https://ticketstripe.com/keelaghan in September.