By Brooke Gazer

If you plan to be in Huatulco on Febuary 25, mark this date on your calendar. The bi annual Blues on the Beach concert promises to be an incredible event with Jack de Keyzer headlining the evening.

Jack is one provocative entertainer, soulful vocalist, guitarist and a world class songwriter. Bob Dylan once said “If Jack de Keyzer was from Chicago, New York or LA, he’d be famous”. He performs an average of 150 shows annually, bringing audiences to their feet at major Jazz and Blues Festivals around the globe; we are fortunate to attract one of Canada’s most awarded performers. DeKeyzer is a two time Juno award winner and has earned seven Maple Blues Awards (Canada’s national blues awards).

Sharing the stage with Jack de Keyzer, are an eclectic range of blues musicians: Jerome Godboo, Charlene “Chuckee” Zehr, and Cheryl Lescom. A veteran singer, Cheryl has been part of the Canadian music scene for over 30 years, both with her own band and as a backup singer for many of the greats. Chuckee offers a powerful performance both on keyboard and as a vocalist, with influences ranging from Bessie Smith to Janice Joplin. Toronto singer and Harmonica player Jerome Godboo mesmerizes audiences everywhere. Recently he captivated the judges in Memphis where he took home the Lee Oskar best harmonica player award.

This exciting lineup of entertainers will be backed up by the “Puerto All Star Band”. Proceeds for this exhilarating evening of “Blues on the Beach” go to a most worthwhile cause, “Un Nuevo Amanecer”, a nonprofit organization assisting local children with a variety of disabilities. (See the December 2015 issue for more about this worthy charity “What Happens to those Centavos”). For a sample of February’s lineup go to https://www.facebook.com/events/482278795271087/

Brooke Gazer operates an ocean view bed and breakfast in Huatulco. http://www.bbagugazul.com