News and upcoming events

Shearwater Bluegrass Band will play in Victoria on Saturday, April 25 and Courtenay on Friday, May 1. Check the On Stage page for all the details.

The trio is in a celebratory mood following after winning a coveted M Award for "Favourite Roots Act" in Victoria. Dave and Tammy were on hand to accept the award at a funky gala held at the Event Centre downtown, and then repaired to nearby Swan's pub for a night of jamming and celebration with bandmate James Whittall and the rest of the Swan's acoustic Tuesday crew. The M Awards recognize Victoria's artistic leaders as selected by the readers of Monday Magazine, the city's premier weekly alternative tabloid.

The band's music also garnered a pair of runner-up awards in the recent International Acoustic Music Awards (IAMA). Argyle Street and Sorrento both placed in the top 10 songs in the bluegrass category.

And every once in a while another favourable review of Shearwater comes in. The latest, from Mike Sadava in Penguin Eggs, describes the disc as "musical magic"; read more on the Reviews page.

Soaring music from Shearwater Bluegrass Band

Stunning music. That's how Vancouver Province critic John P. McLaughlin describes Shearwater Bluegrass Band's debut release. "These are the three best bluegrass players on Vancouver Island ... Together they make music that stuns," McLaughlin wrote in a review in the Province Sept. 2. "(Dave) Clarke's guitar is gobsmacking," he went on, in a review that gave the album a B+ rating.

The trio-- singer-bassist Tammy Fassaert, guitarist Clarke and mandolinist James Whittall -- launched Shearwater with a high-octane concert in Victoria in early September, followed by shows in Vancouver, Gabriola and Courtenay. Hear clips and order the CD.

Shearwater Bluegrass Band

Imagine a seabird skimming the surface of the water to the sounds of blazing instrumental duets and passionate vocals. That’s the essence of Shearwater Bleugrass band, the energetic trio from Vancouver Island that blends fine harmonies with driving acoustic picking.

With the traditional bluegrass "drive" firmly embedded in their sound, Shearwater's groove takes on essences of country and folk, Celtic and Caribbean for a more varied and interesting musical journey….