Skip to content

'Blues Boss' is back in town

Wizard of the keys Kenny Wayne's New Year's Eve party for the White Rock Blues Society is an all-star gala
33450whiterockkennywayne2
Kenny 'Blues Boss' Wayne brings his blues and boogie keyboard style to White Rock Blues Society's New Year's Eve celebration at the Pacific Inn resort.

There's a reason they call him 'Blues Boss.'

Vancouver's Kenny Wayne is a world-class piano man with swinging boogie and blues-based keyboard chops and a sense of style – including big suits, colourful ties and snappy fedoras – befitting an old-style mob chieftain.

In mid-January Wayne, who has a strong international following, will be one of the headliners on the Legendary Blues Cruise out of Florida.

But before that gig, he'll be on hand to usher in 2013 for the White Rock Blues Society's third annual New Year's Eve Blues Extravaganza, Dec. 31 at South Surrey's Pacific Inn Resort.

Featured in his band for the evening will be a headliner in his own right – singer and upright and electric bassist Russell Jackson.

"We built a show around Russell alone several years back," said Blues Society president Rod Dranfield. "That's the kind of all-star talent that Kenny has put together for this New Year's Eve."

The Spokane-born, New Orleans, San Francisco and Los Angeles-raised Wayne's own piano playing and singing has drawn comparisons with such legendary players as Champion Jack Dupree.

He's been nominated for Junos several times (he won in 2006) and has also gleaned praise internationally for the "drive and roaring good-time attitude" of his live performances.

"Just give me a piano and an audience," he proclaims in his promotion, "and everybody's gonna have some serious fun!"

The $100 ticket price includes a hot buffet including roast beef and chicken, potatoes, pasta, and many salads and desserts, plus party favours and champagne (special dietary requests can be arranged).

Tickets are available online at Surrey Arts Centre, https://tickets.surrey.ca

For more information, or to reserve a table, call Rod or Marg Dranfield at  604-542-6515 or 604-723-3905.