Dennis Olsen perfected his craft through studies of music and guitar in Canada, England, and Spain. After his travels, he returned to his hometown of Port Alberni where Dennis teaches guitar (and Karate) to a large and continuous roster of students.
Dennis loves to play his guitar as much as he can. From his classical guitar recitals, to nightclubs and dance halls playing jazz, blues, rock and country, he has been delighting and amazing audiences with his
guitar prowess for close to sixty years.
His love of the west coast has inspired him to write and record a series pieces capturing the beauty and soul of the paradise we live in. His collaboration with James Oldenburg led to the internationally acclaimed recording of the Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach adapted for six and
eight string guitars.
His current projects include, performing a large and varied solo guitar repertoire of light classics, jazz standards and pop tunes in a variety of different venues.
His love of jazz has led to the creation of the Dennis Olsen Trio and Dennis Olsen and Friends who, perform a wide variety of jazz standards, latin and bossa nova rhythms.
The band 'Happy Together' was a 'happy' accident that formed during the pandemic. A four piece retro rock & blues band, consisting of drums, bass, rhythmn and lead guitar, multiple lead singers, tight harmonies and lots of laughs. Four Port Alberni musicians who missed playing music, got together and simply have fun playing tunes mostly from the 60's - 90's.
Linda Ross is lead singer and plays rythymn as well as lending strong harmonies when needed. She's a big asset in a small package with a lot of experience, who covers a wide range of vocal styles from sereneding you with love songs to rocking your socks off.
Mike Wetmore plays lead guitar and sweetens the deal with singing as well. A laid back, unassuming man with a dry sense of humour and an encyclopdic knowledge of songs, who doesn't talk much but his guitar speaks volumes.
Tony McCauley plays drums, and is a lead singer as well as being the king of musical trivia. Tony draws his songs from a wide variety of genres. He can 'Name that Tune' and sing it too. He'll amuse you with his sassy repartee, all while laying down a terrific beat.
Sandy Bouleau aptly plays bass holding down the rythymn section while singing harmonies and taking lead in some songs as well. This talented lady adds so much with her musical knowledge, great sense of humour, and strong vocal ability.
Doug Gretsinger has enjoyed performing on guitar and bass at Toronto, and Vancouver Island for many years.
Doug has enjoyed playing with a multitude of creative musicians at Spirit Square Farmers Market, Rollin Art Centre, Capital Theatre, McLean Mill, and Char’s locally, and Qualicum Beach Inn, The Shady Rest, Deez, The Avalanche, and many more island locations.
A variety of music will be offered by Doug G. And His Friends.
Barry Miller, Piano
After retiring from teaching music in Alberni Valley Secondary Schools,
Barry continued to be active in music groups on Vancouver Island. A
lifelong love of musical theatre saw him either playing piano or directing
the accompanying orchestras for over 20 shows including *Finian’s Rainbow,
Fiddler on the Roof, You’re a Good Man Charley Brown, Brigadoon, Li’l
Abner, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver, The Wiz, Annie Get
Your Gun, The Music Man, Hello Dolly, Nunsense, Grease, South Pacific,
Oklahoma, and The Sound of Music. *As a jazz pianist Barry was a member of
the well-known Desperation Dixieland Band from Courtenay and the Arrowsmith
Big Band based in the Oceanside area. For 10-years he was the onstage
pianist for the celebrated Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular. After living
in Nanaimo for a number of years, Barry and his wife Patricia have returned
to the valley and now reside at Sproat Lake.
Jericho Road Light Band
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia.
