Tri-Continental - Playing folk-blues to a global beat

Three seasoned guitarists got together casually several years ago to fuse their celtic, blues, folk and African rhythms. The sound was so different, and so popular, it now has a category of its own: universal blues.

The trio, Tri-Continental, won a Juno for its first CD in 2000 and has made two successful European tours. One German newspaper review put it this way: “Bill Bourne is a grand improviser, Lester Quitzau kidnaps the blues to take it to new dimensions. Madagascar Slim is considered the inventor and promoter of a new sound: the Madagascar blues. All three bring along a back pack full of experience and they don’t play guitar against each other, but together in a trio which surpasses the boundaries of their guitars.”

The success is humbling, says Edmonton writer-performer-musician Bill Bourne, “because out of the blue, like a gift, I got to play with these guys … and all the motives are good and healthy”.

Guitarist-singer-composer Lester Quitzau, also from Edmonton, can feel the difference success makes, “I am now working most of the time.” Each trio member has his own band and side projects, explains Quitzau, who has performed blues-roots professionally for 15 years. “The whole Tri-Continental project came together without much premeditation or planning. We allow a lot of space for each other and it just keeps unfolding and growing.”

 Ben Randriamananjara, known as Madagascar Slim and winner of a Juno for his own CD, played the blues in Toronto for 15 years before this “project” with the Alberta guitarists. Slim says he sees success through the eyes of “that nine-year old boy, growing up in Madagascar, dreaming about music and playing brooms or grabbing his big brother’s guitar whenever he could”.

Success has also been fueled by public support, says Slim, like recent Canada Council grants for touring in Canada and abroad. “Public support is not just important, but vital, There was no way I could have made my first recording without it – when you’re making $40 per night in a bar you just can’t.”

Bars, concert halls, festivals and clubs have been the venues for Tri-Continental, whose sweet vocal harmonies and imaginative guitar playing are a hallmark. “It’s a fascinating combination performed by splendid musicians,” wrote one critic.  The guitarists love to improvise or, as they call it, “keeping it wide open and alive.”

“What’s fresh,” says Quitzau, “is the combination of three different styles and three very different individuals”. Slim says the group was shocked by how much people loved their experimentation.

“Personally, I see music as a healing energy for people, including the musicians…. On the European tour we found that Canada still has the most wonderful image – people see us as unique, a place of peace and justice. It’s fitting that this healing music of ours comes from Canada.”

-- Tracy Morey