Steve Marriner pays it forward
Where can a local musician “go” musically after becoming identified with a genre and therefore fitting into a specific category of music? Is there room to experiment outside of what the public expects? Steve Marriner believes that there is not only room to experiment, but also room to bring others along for the ride. The Ottawa music scene is rich and varied, and Marriner is an artist who has an appreciation of that fact, and a very strong connection with where he first began.
Since his introduction to blues music at an early age, Marriner quickly became recognized as one of Canada’s supreme harmonica players. Early in his career, he began touring extensively – across Canada and the United States, as well as to the UK, and Australia with a musical story-teller and unique creator of songs, named Harry Manx. That wonderful experience raised Steve Marriner’s public profile and began his foray into becoming the multi-instrumentalist that he is today. Now a collaborator, producer and award-winning performer – Marriner remembers clearly how it all began for him.
Steve Marriner sat down with me for a few minutes following his solo acoustic performance at the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, during which he surprised the audience with a variety of musical choices and also with a couple of unexpected musical guests on stage.
Staying versatile and being spontaneous adds to Steve Marriner’s popularity as a performer. He continues to exercise these abilities while also seeking to share the spotlight with a number of local performers whose reach he feels should be extended. The act of working with others to build a stronger musical community overall is an excellent way to pay homage to his days as beginner on the blues music scene.
Steve Marriner’s band MonkeyJunk performs on Friday July 16th at 6:00 pm on the Claridge Homes stage @Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, in what will be called the MonkeyJunk Power Hour show. Many other incredible performers are expected to join the band on stage. It promises to be an evening of unpredictable musical collaborations and therefore, one that will suit Marriner and his band just fine! This one is not to be missed!
Special thanks to Susan Murphy for camera assistance
Video footage shot using Flip Video ™ Camcorder
Tags: Barney Danson Theatre, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest Power Hour, MonkeyJunk, Steve Marriner
