The Campbell River-based Otter’s Holt House Concert Series will end its celebration of the 150th Year of Confederation with another musician from one of the islands that brackets Canada – PEI’s Dennis Ellsworth – on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
Ellsworth is an award-winning master of many musical genre, and for this concert he brings not only selections from his new CD, but also the folk-flavoured acoustic styles Otter’s Holt audiences love. His new album is produced by Nova Scotia-based musician Joel Plaskett and Ellsworth has co-written music for the likes of Donovan Woods, Josh Finlayson, Andy, Maize, the late Gord Downie and many others. His current tour is taking him all over Canada and the UK (sometimes in the same week). He starts the Western islands section of his tour here. His website, with tour information, videos, and more information is at http://dennisellsworth.com/about.
Suggested donation is $20/person with all proceeds going to the performers. Pre-payment is requested - there is limited seating. Contact Barbara or David Denz at 250-923-6361 for additional information and pre-payment instructions.concert series – two 45-minute sets with an intermission in between.
Biography - Dennis Ellsworth:
Maintaining his pattern of writing, recording and releasing an album a year, Dennis Ellsworth has always followed his calling. In between albums, Dennis has travelled extensively singing songs characterized by a kind of dark optimism, influenced by acts such as Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond and Kris Kristofferson.
The award winning songwriter has toured Canada extensively, made inroads into the US and built a substantial following in the UK and throughout Europe. His most recent tour also marked his debut in The Netherlands, appearing at the legendary Taverne De Waag, one of Simon and Garfunkel’s European venue stops. He is embarking on yet another tour through the UK this October.
In total he’s released six records. His solo albums include Chesterfield Dweller of the Year (2009), the Strange Boat EP (2011), Dusk Dreams (2012) and Hazy Sunshine (2013). Two more albums were also released through his side project, Haunted Hearts.
His most recent solo release, “Romantic As It Gets”, was recorded in Athens, Georgia, with producer David Barbe. David’s credits include previous work with R.E.M, and also with K.D. Lang. An intimate album featuring Dennis’s haunting voice, “Romantic As It Gets” includes many standout tracks such as “Mercy Doll”, the song that originally attracted Cymba Music president Vincent Degiorgio to Dennis’s work.