del Junco and Strongman perform Stellula Benefit Concert
Story by Jen Ives
Photos by Don Beaulieu
The wailing sound of the Blues filled Stayner Centennial Church last Thursday, as an audience of almost two hundred filled the seats to see harmonica phenomenon Carlos del Junco and guitar stylist Steve Strongman in concert. The evening, a free concert designed to raise awareness of Stellula Music in the Schools, celebrated the talents of world class, local, established and emerging musicians.
Stayner Collegiate Institute students Cindy Osburn, Oliver Darling, Ben Sirois, Jackson Bunn and Lauren Bunn brought a wonderful intensity and passion to their guest performances, along with some social commentary and a few laughs at parenthood. If these young writers are the future of music we have many reasons to be hopeful. I'm sure Chuck Baker must have pulled in some serious favours to have local singer/songwriter Romney Getty, guitarist Craig Smith and all round performer Jason Redman (noisy boy and all) round out the first set with some incredibly beautiful original material.
When Carlos and Steve took the stage after the intermission the church took on a whole new atmosphere. Honestly, I still can't believe how mezmerizing and spiritual the harmonica - in the right hands- can be. The church seemed to become part of the performance, echoing the memories and voices from over 100 years of worship in response to the explosion of sound on the stage.
Centennial United is a wonderful venue for this type of event and, as part of Stellula's mandate is to bring musicians into the community, the generosity of the entire congregation is greatly appreciated. One man said it "was the best music he'd ever heard in Stayner - and I'm getting up there!"
It almost seems silly writing a letter to the editor when you were sharing the same pew but thanks to Mike Gennings and the Sun for the great publicity and support before the fact! It was great to touch base with some old friends and see some of their kids up on the stage. Just electrifying!
Friday morning, Stayner Collegiate students spent quality time with del Junco and Strongman, garnering a new appreciation of the 10-hole diatonic harmonica. “It was the best session yet." organizer Chuck Baker remarked. "They took the time to listen to the students' songs and offer suggestions, and even Steve had to admit he learned a lot about the harmonica.”