B.C. has a quiet blues star, but the sound of his reputation and skill-set are going to be at full volume in Prince George next week.
Mark Crissinger was one of Toronto's go-to original blues artists for years. His backing bands included members of Downchild Blues Band and Jack de Keyzer's stage posse. He opened for the likes of The Tragically Hip and James Cotton, to name only a couple.
He was in a band called Sweet Jones that got signed to EMI Music, and although they stalled before the nation got to know them, they certainly made a buzz in the Toronto scene in the late '80s and early '90s.
When the band broke up, Crissinger decided to make the most of his residential location.
He was only a two minute walk from the famed Toronto club Grossman's Tavern. What's a lone guitar-slinger to do?
It became his haunt, as it was for so many of the best and brightest musicians in Canada, regardless of age or genre.
"I got to play with everyone at that place: Jeff Healey, Burton Cummings, Lee Oscar, Pat Rush, Jack de Keyzer, Jerome Godboo, Mike McDonald, Tony D, Paul Reddick and countless other great blues and rock players," he said.
"They all hung out there and taught me so much about playing music. I am very grateful."
Somewhere in the shadows of his consciousness a message was murmuring. It painted him subliminal pictures of rainforests and orcas. Eventually he responded, and moved to Vancouver Island.
"I came here for change," he said. "I like Ontario fine. I tour there two or three times a year and in Quebec. I keep the home fires burning," but the blues scene in the Nanaimo area turned out to be powerful, he discovered, and he knew he'd have all the music he could handle and also get to satiate his lifestyle cravings.
Now that he is ensconced in the rich blues dirt between Nanaimo and Victoria, and the sizzling Vancouver scene just a ferry ride away, he is venturing forth to the rest of his adoptive home province. For the first time, he is driving the Cariboo Highway to the heart of B.C. He has three shows in the central region, culminating in a full-band concert dance in Prince George.
The show is a fundraiser hosted by local impresario Earl Krushelnicki (The Blues Underground) on behalf of CFIS, the city's community radio station at 93.1 FM. Krushelnicki found out about the blues veteran hidden in plain sight to the south, so he called on Crissinger and the plan was set in motion.
"I love to perform. Writing songs is fun, being in the studio has its moments, but for me, the most fun I have as a musician is being on stage, making people happy," he said. "I do about 140 shows a year. I do a lot of playing on Vancouver Island, and I go back to Ontario and Quebec, and I love finding new places to play. I love the pubs, wine bars, house concerts, places that feature special guests and touring artists. I try to be a proponent, help out with getting things going. What Earl is doing is fabulous, bringing quality music into P.G., and that just mixes the scene there with the scene outside."
For his home-region gigs he uses members of David Gogo's band as his side-players, anchored by former Powder Blues Band drummer Bill Hicks. He will be driving this northern junket on his own, playing the Williams Lake (March 10 at the Laughing Loon) and the Quesnel (March 11 at The Occidental) as a soloist, but in Prince George he will be joined by well-known local players which opens the doors of communication for future collaborations. In Nanaimo, he said, it's not uncommon for 70 to 80 musicians to attend the regular jam sessions held there, and carry on the free-form show for upwards of four hours.
Now he gets to work with talented fellow musicians in a whole new setting.
This is also a warmup for future returns. A new Crissinger album is under construction, so encore engagements are anticipated.
The show happens on March 12 at the Old Library (Senior's Activity Centre at 425 Brunswick Street).
Tickets are $25 ($20 for Blues Underground members) available in advance at Books & Company.
Group rates are also available by emailing Krushelnicki at [email protected].
