After my usual Saturday night blues show on CKXU, I stepped upstairs into the Zoo for Founder’s Days celebrations.
While there weren’t a lot of people, U of L alumni John Wort Hannam and his band including Scott Duncan playing some fine fiddle , keyboardist Michael Ayotte, drummer Jonathan May and fellow U of L alumni Jason Valleau thumping away on upright bass and vocals, beamed ear-to-ear throughout a set full of upbeat, earnest folk/ country Hannam hits.
The “small but mighty” crowd were entertained and just starting to get into the spirit of things a few songs into a tight set of highlights from throughout Hannam’s career including “Love Lives On” and “ Great Lakes,” and a newer favourite “Chasing the Song.”
They showed some substantial bluegrass chops on “Over the Moon and were about to play an old favourite “Church of the Long Grass” as I had to head to the next show.
The Blue and the Groove Apostles were also on the bill.