The Harrison Festival Society presents the penultimate show of their 27th season with a performance by Alberta-based songstress and fiddler Lizzy Hoyt.
Hoyt is an award-winning Canadian vocalist and songwriter who also happens to rank among the top Celtic instrumentalists in the country.
With the voice of an angel, Lizzy delivers music and stories with soaring melodies rooted in Celtic and folk traditions.
“Lizzy has a soft, sweet voice and a style that draws on bluegrass and Celtic,” says Harrison Festival artistic director, Andy Hillhouse. “In some ways her singing reminds me of Alison Krauss, who is also a fiddler. This makes for a nice and varied live show as she moves from gentle ballads to foot stomping Canadian and Celtic fiddle tunes.”
Hoyt’s fourth album New Lady on the Prairie (produced by Vancouver-based bluegrass master John Reischman, and Hoyt herself) demonstrates a mature and refined trans-Atlantic sound that blends influences from Celtic, bluegrass and folk traditions.
Following in the tradition of songwriters such as Stan Rogers and James Keelaghan, many of Hoyt’s songs stand out for their connection to Canadian history, while her voice recalls the sweet and gentle character of Allison Krauss or the Celtic lilt of Loreena McKennitt.
“Lizzy has a lot of influences—some of her songs are hurtin’ country songs, some are contemporary sounding folk pop, but she always has a nod to tradition,” says Hillhouse.
The title track of Hoyt’s recent album, inspired by her great great aunt’s immigration to Canada from Ireland in the early 1900s, demonstrates her ability to craft songs that are touching and lyrically rich.
Her song Vimy Ridge, the video of which has won several awards, should be especially poignant for her Harrison performance as the concert will be taking place on the 99th anniversary of that historic event.
Hoyt’s arrangements are detailed and atmospheric, and her talents as a multi-instrumentalist will be featured.
She will be accompanied by her three-piece band.
• The show begins at 8 p.m., April 9 in the Harrison Memorial Hall. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased online at harrisonfestival.com, over the phone at 604-796-3664, Agassiz Shoppers Drugmart, or at the door.