Saskatchewan blues icon Jack Semple is excited to return to Lethbridge to perform at the Lethbridge Jazz Festival for the second year in a row.
“I loved playing at that festival last year,” Semple said, enjoying a sunny day on his deck.
He and his band released their last album “Into the Blue” last year and are working on a new live DVD.
The trio, also including bassist Dave Chabot and drummer Martin Blonski recorded the DVD in the Village Guitars and Amp guitar store in Saskatoon.
“It was like playing a jazz club. It was so cool, playing with all of these vintage guitars hanging on the wall behind us,” Semple said.
“We did that in March. I’m still editing it and it looks great so far. It h just takes a while to edit,” he said.
He is influenced by a lot of different music, especially soul and R and B music.
“I definitely listen to a lot of soul and R and B. I listened to people like George Benson and a lot of jazz with a little bit of Jimi Hendrix. So I call it fusion- blues music,” he described.
He is also busy writing new music.
“It all begins with a groove and a solid beat and work out chords on the guitar based on it,” he said.
“We’re going to play some of the new music and we’re going to give people a good time. I hope they will be glad to see use again,” he said.
Jack Semple plays the Slice for the Lethbridge Jazz Festival at approximately 9 p.m., June 14. Tickets cost $25.
