Bill Bourne was known for his incredible range of musical skill, his generous spirit, and his influence in creating a welcoming, collaborative music community in Edmonton. And, of course, his beautiful black hats. He passed away in 2022.
On December 6, his music comes alive again as six artists pay tribute to him at the New Moon Folk Club in Edmonton.
Laurelle Kanji, one of the six, met Bourne in 1997. “I actually met Bill during the CKUA shutdown,” she says. She was living in Red Deer and he came to the city for a fundraising concert to help CKUA get back on the air.
“I got to meet him and he was the most genuine, warm, welcoming human ever,” she says.
“I was already a giant music nerd and was teaching myself guitar so I was asking all these questions. And he basically said, ‘I will teach you all the things,’ which I think is rare in a human of that level of talent and notoriety.”
Ultimately Bourne asked Kanji to sing back-up on one of his records and she toured western Canada with him, singing and playing guitar. “He was so supportive, he just wanted everyone to play music, as much as possible,” she says.
Bourne was known for his virtuosity and incredible range of musical collaborations. He played in myriad groups, spanning countless genres. He won three Junos.
“Bill was an amazing guy. He was never, ever egocentric. He just gave of himself and he never stopped learning,” says Rhea March, the tribute’s producer. “Music was just who he was.”
The evening will be a songwriter-in-the-round style, with all musicians on stage, taking turns. They’ll each play original pieces as well as covers of Bourne’s songs.
Kanji says one of her original songs was directly influenced by the memory of her friend.
“Every time I play it, I can see him in my mind’s eye, somewhere, playing along. So that makes me happy.”
“I think it will probably be emotional for some of these artists on the night of the tribute,” says March, “but in a very good way. It’s bringing Bill back into the spotlight.”
The musicians performing are Kanji, Sammy Volkov, Kaylin Kowalyshyn, Kaiya Kodie, Brianna Lizotte and Billie Zizi.
The show is called “A Night of Rising Stars” but as New Moon Folk Club artistic director Stuart Muir notes, the name’s become almost obsolete. They put together the list of names over a year and a half ago.
“I only slightly jokingly say I’m going to have to rename this concert from ‘Rising Stars’ to ‘Risen Stars,’” Muir says, noting that all the artists have advanced their careers in leaps and bounds over the past 18 months.
“A Night of Rising Stars: New Moon Folk Club Plays Tribute to Bill Bourne” takes place in Edmonton on December 6. Look here for tickets and details.
“Hunker Down” by Bill Bourne:
