Brandon Isaak
This episode of JAM Live! features the terrific blues of Brandon Isaak as recorded in a live performance on New Year’s Eve 2012 at the St. Elias Centre here in Haines Junction. Brandon Isaak also known as Yukon Slim is a blues guitar player with monster tone and technique. He moved from his hometown of Whitehorse to Vancouver in 1999, where he joined the blues band Twisters.
He has shared the stage with many great blues artists, including Taj Mahal, Lil Ed and the Blues Imperials, Robben Ford, Canned Heat, Jeff Healy, Big Dave McLean. Brandon has toured all over Europe and appeared on numerous festival lineups and TV shows. He played guitar on the 2006 Juno award-winning album, “Let it Loose” with Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne. Recently in 2010 he was nominated for Song Writer of the Year at the Maple Blues Awards.
So what about the music itself? Here is what Reverbnation.com writes about Brandon on its website:
“Isaak doesn’t just serve up the old songs. These are new original songs written by Isaak. They play out like a biography; true stories of love, life and death with a few stops, bumps and revelations along the way. Issak’s life is set to blues, gospel, ragtime, swing and country sounds. Brandon plays guitar and foot percussions, harmonica, and bass. This is a very versatile and diverse performer with a real affinity for the rawness and spontaneity of the blues”
Whitehorse musicians Ed White on drums and Paul Stephens on bass are joining Brandon on stage.