Lester Quitzau & Damian Graham
For over 30 years Canadian roots music artist Lester Quitzau has been defying stereotypes in the music world and in that time span, this guitar playing, song-writing singer has carved out a life that is multi-faceted in its unique scope.
An overview of Lester’s resume finds that he’s just not a two-time Juno Award winner, recording artist, respected bandleader, bandmate and collaborator, but a snowboarding pioneer and organic apple farmer.
Yes, he’s that mellow guy who throws down a heavy groove, but he’s also an artist who continues to forge new paths in a musical journey where he’s navigated some heavy terrain with considerable finesse and focus. His unique style and fluidity on slide, acoustic and electric guitars, coupled with his well- crafted songs and warm vocals, are the fruits of this musical journey. Canadian blues broadcasting guru Holger Petersen sums up his appreciation of Quitzau’s talents by reminding us that “Lester’s slide playing is in that rarified category and he has that great combination of skill, tone, and studied knowledge. He’s a class artist, whose music has a direct connection to the heart and soul.”
These days Lester is once again on the road, performing as a duo with drummer Damian Graham. In the past year Quitzau has once again played to large and appreciative audiences at the Vancouver Island Music Festival, The Calgary Blues Festival, The Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre in Edmonton and a number of venues on the west coast.
It’s been gratifying for this artist to see that his audience has been waiting for his return to the roots music scene.
It’s a new chapter in a story that began with a solid blues apprenticeship in the funky working-class bars of Edmonton.
Learning to play as a child, by fifteen he’d saved enough to buy his first guitar, a Les Paul copy. Exposed to rock & roll by his older brother, and later the pure blues of John Lee Hooker, the major blues influence of Lester’s young life came via the funky Ambassador tavern, in downtown Edmonton. It was a joint known for booking blues legends like Jimmy Rogers, Willie Dixon, George Harmonica Smith, Fenton Robinson, Albert Collins, and John Lee Hooker as well as Canadian touring acts like Amos Garrett, Ken Hamm, and Houndog.
