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Strings are the thing

Jilli Martini’s Showcase Tuesday presents Alan Jossul as next week's featured artist.

Jilli Martini’s Showcase Tuesday presents Alan Jossul as next week's featured artist.

Born and raised in the Comox Valley, Alan has been teaching and playing guitar for most of his life. His influences have been guitar legends such as Don Ross, Leo Kottke and Lindsay Buckingham. He has also picked at the banjo, bass and a few other instruments and managed to make a few of these stringed things sing.

He realized early that that music is his life's calling. After years of forming his technique Alan went on to Malaspina University College (Nanaimo), undertaking their jazz performance program to broaden his horizons.

Alan is educated in a wide variety of styles including jazz and bluegrass and is a regular in the music scene in Canada's Cultural Capital (2009), the Comox Valley. When he isn't teaching or out with his dogs, he is generally on a stage performing or in an audience appreciating and keeping the art of live performance alive and kicking.

After school, Alan returned home to the valley to perform solo at MusicFest (2006, 2008), the Sunshine Music Festival (Powell River 2004) and being featured on the Rhythm and Green Collaborative CD (2003) and The Valley Christmas CD (2004). His work has been used on ZedTV (CBC).

Jossul's fingerstyle, acoustic guitar playing achieves a sound that is playful and descriptive — like a waking dream. His music is heartfelt and honest and will soon become your favorite tracks to listen to while working, relaxing or during your next get-together.

"I write music to describe an experience or a feeling that I have, whether it is waiting in the park for someone or a joyful moment with friends. This is my way of sharing with the world.”

Stylistically, he easily transitions from traditional Celtic to acoustic funk with his new CD Soli.

"I wanted to name this release something meaningful to me, so I named it after my best friend, Soli," notes Alan. "About two years ago my partner talked me into getting a puppy, and I wasn't much of a dog person, but Soli worked his way right into my life and my heart and I am so amazed at the love and dedication that this funny furry animal can give. He is with me all the time and tells me he loves everything I play. How could I not include him in this project that is so personal to me?”

Music starts every Tuesday at 8 at the Avalanche Bar and Grill with the Jilli Martini House Band, a guest at 9, and it all wraps up by 11.

— Jilli Martini’s Showcase Tuesday