A few years back, while performing with North of 60 star Tom Jackson on his Huron Carole musical tours, Shannon Gaye wanted to do her own musical spin for Christmas.
But after she cut her holiday-inspired songs in 2019, she struggled to come up with a title for the album.
Then, one day, as the Port Moody resident was driving and listening to the radio, a divine download came through the Joni Mitchell tune River: "Songs of Joy and Peace."
The name also happens to be the title of her and her musical–life partner’s concert in Port Moody on Saturday, Dec. 14 — the fourth show in the third season of the Inlet Theatre Music Series that's produced by musicians Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper.
It’s the first time Gaye and pianist Kristian Alexandrov, and his band, will have performed as part of the series.
And, unlike some other holiday productions, it won’t be overly reverent or a "snooze fest," she told the Tri-City News last week.
Rather, the Inlet Theatre program will include upbeat Christmas standards, world beats and a few originals, too.
“Don’t let the title fool you,” Sample said. “This show is going to be soulful, swinging, maybe even funky. Shannon is a great singer and Kristian and his band are all heavy hitters.”
Joining Gaye and the JUNO award-nominated Alexandrov on stage on Dec. 14 will be:
- Jay Buetner
- guitar
- Gord Maxwell
- bass, background vocals
- Adam Cormier
- drums
Gaye, who last year moved back to Port Moody with Alexandrov after a stint in Calgary, said their upcoming concert is “a fun way to celebrate the holidays."
"It’s an intimate theatre and I love the space to perform in. We have a great band and we want to share the holiday spirit in Port Moody," she said.
Tickets to see Shannon Gaye and Kristian Alexandrov perform at the Inlet Theatre (inside Port Moody City Hall, 100 Newport Dr.) on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, are available via Eventbrite.ca.
