Following the early Saturday GCG show at Upstairs Cabaret is the Garden City Grooves finale “After Party and Jam” at the Copper Owl (9:30pm-1:30am). One of the highlights of GCG every year, the After Party features the one man soul band, David Morin, who will be the featured performer in addition to local soul act Jon Epworth + the Vic City Sweat (our house band for the evening). Following will be the festival jam featuring various festival musicians. Always full of surprises, the jam provides a laid back atmosphere for the audience to enjoy some true musicianship and spontaneity and some never seen colloborations.
David Morin: With his self released debut album, Every Colour, David Morin plays gigs around the world accompanied by a live band. Yet the humble neo-soul singer, songwriter and multi- instrumentalist still chooses to busk regularly on street corners in his hometown of Vancouver. After all, that's where this 32-year old, who is of Metis Native American descent, honed his craft– –and his social message.
Like the man himself, David Morin's music is pure, authentic and from the heart. Self-taught and passionately committed to being a career artist, he's blessed with the ability to turn strangers into fans. That's why he earned his stripes the hard way, busking on Vancouver streets and singing to make a living. This guitar (and loop-pedal) virtuoso makes a solo performance sound like an entire band.
"I do a lot of street performing," he says. "It's a good way for me to beef up my chops musically and try to get a crowd of people to listen when you're kind of subjecting them to performance. It's an interesting social experiment."
Morin's unique, feel-good fusion of soul, hip-hop and jazz has earned much critical acclaim. His ris bring to mind the licks of blues and funk masters. Playful hints of disco and pop add retro flavor to a contemporary pop aesthetic that's as accessible as it is seductive. And that voice! Melodic; smooth as honey; reminiscent in sound and vibe to the likes of D’Angelo and Musiq Soulchild. Okayplayer describes his debut album as “a brilliant blend of Motown melodics and loop-heavy hip-hop elements.”
Visit gardencitygrooves.com for complete event info.