Plaza Series: Flute, Funk and Dazzling Guitar

Flute, Funk and Dazzling Guitar: Ryan Davidson and Ginger Beef

• Family-friendly: all ages welcome!
• Bring your own chair, seat or blanket.
• Grab a spot as early as 6:30 p.m.; all shows start at 7 p.m.
• Free to attend and no tickets required.
• Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

Ryan Davidson  

Ryan Davidson is a Canadian freelance guitarist who has performed and recorded professionally for 31 years. In 2010, Ryan recorded LAB 09 with the One O’clock Lab Band, for which the group received two Grammy Nominations. With the One O’clock, Ryan has also shared the stage with jazz legends Dave Brubeck, James Carter, Eddie Gomez and George Garzone. In the country/rock music world, he has performed and/or recorded with Gord Bamford, Dallas Smith, Brett Kissel, Dean Brody, Chad Brownlee, Jojo Mason, Meghan Patrick and many more. He has been nominated 12 times for CCMA’s Guitarist of the Year and has taken home the award twice. Additionally, he can be heard on two JUNO-nominated country records, Gord Bamford’s Country Junkie and Brett Kissel’s Started with a Song.

Ginger Beef 

Ginger Beef is the hot new instrumental pop collaboration of the husband-and-wife team of virtuosic flutist Jiajia Li and veteran producer/multi-instrumentalist Warren Tse (AKA MSG). The result: a gleaming pop artifact that balances dazzling instrumental performances and catchy melodies with deep grooves. Ginger Beef brings high-energy instrumental acrobatics to life with Li on a range of flutes — both Chinese and western — and MSG on synth, keys and guitar. Backing up the duo are a lineup of top R&B and jazz players from Calgary’s robust Gospel music scene. Ginger Beef self-released their debut album in October 2023 to astonishing reception. It quickly hit #1 on CJSW, CFRU and CJRU campus charts, and was nominated for a JUNO award. The band has been nominated for three YYC Music Awards and has blown away crowds at music festivals and large venues.