Singer-songwriter pianist Jeffery Straker has announced an upcoming 9-date tour of England (November 2022) along with the release of an acoustic EP “Just After Sunset” (Oct 6, 2022). Anchored by a concert at the High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom (London), eight additional dates are booked across England.
“I performed 2 shows in England & 1 in N. Ireland back in 2017 and they went over really well; I’ve always wanted to head back." Booked through a combination of musician friends in the UK and self-booking, Straker remarks that bookers were “really receptive to hosting a Canadian singer-songwriter they knew didn’t have a big following, but with music they knew would work for their local audiences”. Bryn Besse (Regina SK) will perform guitar & backing vocals on the tour with Jeffery. As bookings firmed up, word-of-mouth yielded unforeseen rewards including an invite to give a masterclass workshop on “the ins and outs of touring” at the Leeds Conservatoire, and a local Brewery in Oundle (Nene Valley Brewery) providing a van for transportation. Huge gratitude is extended to Creative Saskatchewan, for supporting the tour.
- Nov 4 - Scarborough – The Old Parcels Office
- Nov 5 - West Kirby – West Kirby Arts Centre (double bill with ‘Tennessee Waltz’)
- Nov 6 - Sheffield – Café 9 Nov 9 - London – High Commission of Canada to the UK
- Nov 11 - Little Weighton – Hunsley Acoustic Music Events at the Live Lounge
- Nov 12 - Chesham – The Drawing Room (with Daisy Chute)
- Nov 13 - Oundle – House Concert
- Nov 15 – Leeds – Leeds Conservatoire
Nov 16 – Wakefield – Ric Neale’s ‘Monochrome Series’ at the Polka Hop
Info/Ticketing at: Jeffstraker.com
“Just After Sunset” is a 5-song acoustic folk/roots EP, reimagining songs from Jeffery's 2021 LP “Just Before Sunrise”. With Jeffery’s previous eight albums being piano-driven outings, he changes gears with this EP by inviting acoustic guitar to lead the charge on four of the songs. Only simple hand percussion, foot stomps, and sparse piano add to the arrangements. All guitar tracks were performed by Bryn Besse (Regina SK). Track 5 (Heavy is the Burden) adds backing vocals and strings. The result is a striking collection of songs sitting at the intersection of contemporary singer-songwriter, folk and roots genres. The lyrics are reminders of what ‘has been’ and what ‘could be’ with the focus on the stories within.
The album is available at Bandcamp.
Produced by: Jeffery Straker & Brad Prosko, Regina SK
Mixed/Mastered by: Brad Prosko, Regina SK
Acoustic Guitar: Bryn Besse
Piano/vocals/hand percussion/foot stomps: Jeffery Straker
Added musician on Track 5: Danny Jones upright bass; Jill Straker & Breeann DeHaven backing vocals; Catherine Folstad cello; Carmelle Pretzlaw violin (all Regina SK).
