The Take Note! Music House presents Edmonton-based troubadour Ben Sures with Rebecca Campbell and Liam Smith in an intimate house concert on Saturday, February 17 at 8:00 pm (doors open at 7:30). Requested donation is $25 ($20 for seniors or lower income) with all proceeds going directly to the performers. You may reserve your seat by calling (705) 305-1687 or emailing concerts@takenotepromotion.com (address given upon reservation – downtown Barrie, near the courthouse).

“In each guileless tune – touching on different styles and moods – there is a pure heart. And at the heart of each song is a story rendered with the kind of finely-observed detail that brings your own heart into the story, from tender to tragic, doo-wop to danceable.” (Jowi Taylor, Six String Nation) Ben is a singer-songwriter steeped in Folk, Blues, African Blues and Roots music, a storyteller, an award-winning songwriter and “my modern day Paul Simon” [Caroline Brooks, The Good Lovelies]. You may also recognize him as a musical contributor to CBC Radio’s sketch comedy program, “The Irrelevant Show”, plus a number of other CBC programs. Ben is getting ready to release his new album, “Poema Poematis”, which was recorded live with a full string and horn section at The Yardbird in Edmonton. We’re thrilled to welcome Ben Sures back to the Take Note! Music House – hope you’ll join us!

Ben Sures (www.bensures.com)

“Clever, funny songs, plus great guitar playing and arrangements. Ben brings a deep understanding of Roots music, eclectic songwriting and storytelling styles.” (Holger Petersen, CBC Radio “Saturday Night Blues”) “…has his ear to the rest of the world’s blues roots, covering African and Spanish numbers as well, showcases for his strong guitar playing. In his understated way, he’s a master at these foreign styles as much as he is the North American versions. Hearing his deconstruction of “See That My Grave Is Kept Clean” is worth the price alone. He’s someone who really knows how to breathe fresh life into a too-often staid genre.” (Bob Mersereau, The Top 100 Canadian Singles)

Born a month after Woody Guthrie passed away, Ben took up the the folk hero's torch early in life and continued the tradition of writing and performing songs that tell small stories in a big way. This natural storyteller and guitar player draws the listener in to his musical world from the very opening line. Ben Sures songs are uniquely thought out and delivered. His side of every story is the one that makes you think, 'that makes sense and why didn't I think of that?'. Fans say “he sings out loud what everyone thinks but doesn't ever say.”  A unique perspective, a great story, and a melodic heartbeat are what create Ben's engaging performances. 

If you were to describe his performance style, it would be very melodic, with great acoustic playing, excellent storytelling, and moments of stomach-clutching hilarity.  The umbrella of influences would be Canadian singer-songwriters, West African guitar, folk guitar, D'Gary, Paul SImon, Robert Johnson, Django Reinhardt, modern folk pop and new acoustic music. Ben sings in Spanish, French and mostly English. When he performs solo, he takes you in on his storytelling journey, he connects with the audience. When he performs with a group his gifts on the guitar really come alive and the powerful melodies become centre stage from the back up vocals.  Deceivingly down to earth, he is so comfortable on stage, sometimes you forget there is a stage and this is a concert going on.

He has toured Canada, The UK and performed in Beirut, Lebanon, sharing festival stages with Ani Difranco, Dave Van Ronk, JP Cormier, Burton Cummings, Spirit of The West, Ferron and more. As an accompanist, he has played with Paul Reddick, Rita Chiarelli, The Wyrd Sisters, Ferron, and others. As a soloist, he’s opened for such acts as Ray Davies, the Preservation Hall Band, Alejandro Escobedo, Garnet Rogers, Greg Brown and Lynn Miles. Ben has seven acclaimed recordings to his credit, has appeared eight times at the Winnipeg Folk Festival, and has performed at the North and South Country Fairs, the Edmonton, Regina, Brandon, Calgary, Live from The Rock, Northern Lights, and Islands Folk Festivals (among others), as well as in countless house concerts, bars, and folk clubs.

Ben Sures is the 2005 winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in the folk category (out of 15000 entrants), and a winner in The International Songwriting Contest . He has regularly been featured on CBC Radio for over two decades, including as a contributor to The Irrelevant Show, The Round Up, Madly Off in All Directions, Morningside and more. His latest album “Son of Trouble” has received rave reviews.