I didn’t get to many Lethbridge Jazz and Blues Festival shows this week, but stopped by the official kick off at Galt Gardens. Saturday afternoon, June 9.
I arrived in the middle of a solid set from local Paul Kype and Texas Flood.
Kype and the band, drummer Brady Valgardson, bassist Tyson Maiko and keyboardist Mike Ayotte. They played several songs from their upcoming album, crowd favourites like “Heed The Call,” and heartfelt covers of “Into the Mystic” and Blind Faith’s ‘Can’t Find My Way home.”
They ended their set and brought down a thunderstorm with a cover of the Allman Brothers’ “Whipping Post.”
After some delay after the rain stopped and speakers and equipment were uncovered, local R and B/disco/R and B collective Hippodrome promised to bring back the sun.
And they did with a strong set of ’70s R and B and soul music.
Shawna Romolliwa, Erica Hunt and Juran Greene alternated on lead vocals. The horn section got the toes tapping and brought a good time for all.
Erica Hunt sang a beautiful version of “Valerie” and Greene belted out “Flip Flop and Fly.”