Fingerstyle blues guitarist Dan Livingstone has been receiving acclaim from musicians and audiences alike as an exceptional guitar player and an engaging performer. Whether playing rags, blues or spirituals, his expressive style marks him as a performer with “big ears” and a passion for the authentic. In separate concerts last year, Livingstone opened for international legends Duke Robillard and Buckwheat Zydeco. Audiences at the 16th annual Islands Folk Festival ranked him as one of the top performers of the weekend, alongside such world class players as Carlos del Junco.
Livingstone is inspired by the magic of the Piedmont, Delta and Texas blues traditions, and one of his aims as a musician is to immerse his audience in the music of Reverend Gary Davis, Mississippi John Hurt, Fred McDowell, and Robert Johnson. Livingstone’s originals – very popular with his fans – reflect a mix of these influences as well as a highly developed, lyrical style.
Now living in Montréal, Livingstone is a regular performer in the clubs around that city and toured Quebec this year to play various festivals, including Carleton International Maximum blues festival and Rimouski en blues. Over the past few years, Livingstone performed in different cities across Canada, including festivals and clubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto. A cross-country tour this year took him from Va ncouver Island to the Magdalens. Born and raised on the west coast, Livingstone developed his early musical awareness through exposure to the music of John Fahey, Ken Hamm, and Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee. Livingstone has spent the last few years travelling and performing in different cities across Canada, including festivals and clubs in Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, and Quebec City. At the 1999 Pan Am Games he performed with Winnipeg guitar wizard Tim Butler; he has also shared the stage in other events with wel-known Canadian musicians Dave Gogo, Ken Hamm, Dave McLean and Rick Fines.
Livingstone’s debut CD was released in June 2000 and is entitled, Dan Livingstone. A new CD highlighting his original songs will be released later this year.
