It isn't everyday that someone living in California and Hawaii opts to put down roots in Prince George. When Julie Slade joined that exclusive club, she was rewarded with the enduring affection of the local music scene.
Slade will be on stage tonight at the Oakroom Grill alongside two-thirds of the Zavan Trio - Eric Tompkins on guitars and Kenny Ogilvie on bass. Together they will cook up their own blend of jazz and blues.
"There will even be some Rolling Stones thrown in there for variety," said Slade, who also has classic rock in her repertoire.
It all started with jazz, in her formative years, so the rocking always was a prominent appetizer. She and her sister were a child duo performing at church, then she evolved to the solo spotlight as a band student in California.
She grew up a few hours drive north of San Francisco in a town called Miranda and, after rehearsing all school year, the ensemble would hit the road for appearances at other high schools and the occasional jazz festival.
It was through that practical education she got to take a clinic from jazz legend Bobby McFerrin. The 10-time Grammy Award winner was the voice behind Don't Worry Be Happy and The Cosby Show theme song, and globally renowned for his unique vocal abilities.
Seeing him personally break down his technique for aspiring fellow performers made a strong impact on the young Slade.
Miranda is a town of less than 600 people. It is situated almost exactly halfway on the American western seaboard, looking out onto the ocean from a vantage point only about 40 kilometres away from shore.
Out across that sea was Hawaii, so after high school that is where Slade went and she remained on the island state for 10 years, adding rock vocals to her experiences fronting a band in Kona.
She knew the small town had limited opportunities for an upwardly mobile young person. She gave in to another transoceanic bout of adventure and followed a relationship to Prince George.
The relationship faded but by then she had fostered other connections. Musicians lined up to work with her, starting with her first regular accompanist in Prince George, David Sproule, then adding the likes of Dawn Boudreau, Curtis Abriel, Cindy Larsen, and many other musical allies.
Lately she has been adding names like Lincoln Thorne (Rebel Linx), Nick Tindale (The Burden, Bright City Heights, Genevieve Jade, etc.), Keith Rodger (Tequila Mockingbird Orchestra), and many more.
Her most frequent collaborator is Tompkins, who regularly calls on her for vocal support of his many ongoing musical projects. She is happy to come out to join the on-stage fun.
"You have to be really outgoing (to be front-vocalist), and I'm a quiet type of person, but when you do go on stage you have to project your confidence," she said. "I love how music lets me express myself through songs. For all of us, really, certain songs hit home and if you're a musician, a singer, you get to express that. I choose the songs that are about heartache, going through hard times. I think a lot of people can relate to that, and its what blues is all about at the core. I think the beauty of the blues is in the simplicity of how that's expressed."
She will be in the soloist centre tonight, flanked by Tompkins and Ogilvie, starting at 8 p.m. The concert is a presentation of Mad Loon Entertainment.
There is no charge to attend; the menu is available for dining and drinks.
