The Osprey Arts Centre presents Manitoba Hal Brolund as part of its Hometown Series on Saturday, June 4 at 8 p.m. With him will be his South Shore Band, Chett Buchanan on bass and Mimi Champagne on drums.
Hal is a new resident in Shelburne who has quickly endeared himself to the community as a Blues guitar and ukulele player and singer/songwriter. He grew up in Stony Mountain, Manitoba and began playing guitar as a youngster. He fell in love with the Blues and in the early 90s began playing around in the coffee houses in Winnipeg. Then in 1995, he discovered the ukulele. He became one of the few players to explore the ukulele as a blues instrument.
By 2000, Hal embraced the music world as a profession. He has been touring the country since then. In 2005, Hal made his first of many trips to Liverpool’s Ukulele Ceilidh and fell in love with the South Shore and its music scene. In February 2010 Hal moved to Shelburne and joined Shelburne’s music scene.
Hal blends traditional sounds with looping effects to create a one-man-band performance that is unique. Traditional blues songs are arranged in fresh and inventive ways and his witty stage banter is very entertaining. People often wonder at the sound he creates with the little Hawaiian guitar.
Hal plays a signature aNueNue Ukulele of solid Mango with a Rosewood/Maple rope binding and some high quality electronics installed. Check out the ukulele and Hal’s Blues style at www.manitobahal.com.
Manitoba Hal and his South Shore Band perform at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Osprey, 9-4 weekdays, 875-2359, and at the door.
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