Ian Tamblyn will be playing on Fri., Aug. 3 and Sat., Aug. 4 at the 30th annual Filberg Festival.
Often described as a folk music icon and a national treasure, Juno Award winner Tamblyn began writing songs, short stories and plays at the age of 17.
A composer, songwriter, singer, instrumentalist, playwright, environmentalist, explorer and producer, Tamblyn has captured the spirit of many remote and beautiful parts of the world, from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
He has recorded over thirty independent releases, written almost 2,000 songs and over a dozen plays. Tamblyn has also conducted numerous songwriting workshops and he appeared frequently as a topical songwriter on the CBC radio program Sunday Morning. Other artists such as Colleen Peterson, Brent Titcomb, Sylvia Tyson, Sneezy Waters, James Keelaghan, Tamarack and Georgette Fry have recorded many of Tamblyn’s songs.
As a folk singer he has toured Canada with Joan Armatrading, as well as appearing frequently on the Canadian festival circuit. He is also a composer of instrumental and incidental music for film, television and theatre.
Quiet, with a purity of voice and purpose that challenges even as it enchants, Tamblyn has become the witness for a disappearing landscape, its myths and its people.
Much of his music speaks of life away, of distant places in remote corners of the world.
Through his many albums of original music, Tamblyn’s work has become known and respected around the world, and he has played a significant role in the folk music scene.
Tamblyn is the founder of the Acoustic Waves concert series, co-founder of the Writer’s Bloc, and co-founder of North Track Records, a label that supports recordings by independent artists. Through his musical excellence, his constant willingness to expand his artistic horizons, his strong work ethic and his sense of humour, Tamblyn has inspired musicians and audiences across Canada and around the world.
Recent projects include an installation for the Tom Thomson Exhibit at the National Gallery in Ottawa, sound design for the award-winning play, Shape of a Girl, the release of three CDs in Japan as well as Like the Way You’re Tinkin, a CD of instrumental work featuring the hammered dulcimer.
Tamblyn has been recognized with the Jackie Washington Award, an Honorary Doctorate from Lakehead University, the Helen Verger Award, and the Estelle Klein Award for lifelong contributions to the Canadian music community.
Tamblyn continues to work in the adventure travel field as a lecturer, zodiac driver, and musician, travelling to Antarctica, the Falklands, Iceland, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic.
In the summer and fall of 2012 Tamblyn will be back in the Northwest Passage and Labrador with Adventure Canada in his role as lecturer, musician and guide. He will also be a writer in residence at Torngat National Park on the Labrador coast.
For more information about Tamblyn visit, www.tamblyn.com
The Filberg Festival is a family-friendly festival presenting four days of entertainment August 3-6 at the Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park in Comox. Tickets are now available at Thrifty Foods or online at the Filberg Festival website.
For more information about the music, and the over 100 juried Craft Booths and to buy tickets go to, www.filbergfestival.com