Fiona Boyes’ “Homecoming” Offers A Pair Of Shows

Fiona Boyes - press photo by Brandy Kayzakian-RoweReviewers have described blues guitarist and singer, Fiona Boyes, as a “musical anomaly,” “Bonnie Raitt’s evil twin,” or simply as “scaring the hell” out of them.  She was the first woman and non-American to win the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and blues greats Pinetop Perkins and Hubert Sumlin described her as one of the best female guitar players since Memphis Minnie, which would place her in the running as one of the best guitarists, period. Her career spans over twenty-five years and thirteen recordings, and it has also taken her around the world and earned her multiple award nominations with a range of blues guitar styles that would instinctively lead one to believe had emerged from a musician raised in the Delta or the backstreets of Chicago, rather than from Australia.

Having lived in the Portland area for a year, Fiona Boyes has developed a robust relationship with blues fans and fellow musicians in Oregon, and she will be returning to her adopted second home for a week in August with a couple of highly anticipated shows.

On Monday, August 8, Boyes will be joined by Blues Music Award winning drummer Jimi Bott for an appearance at The Lake Theater & Café. The pair will be featuring music from their upcoming recording Professin’ The Blues due to hit the street in October. Boyes has also been exploring Mississippi style folk art, inspired by the works of Dan Dalton and Stan Street, that ties in with the themes on the new album and will provide the backdrop for her performances. The Lake Theater & Café is located at 106 N State Street in Lake Oswego. Tickets are $15.00 and available at laketheatercafe.com. Show time is 7:00 pm.

Thursday night, August 11, Boyes will perform at Vie de Boheme, 1530 SE 7th, in Portland. Joining her will be good friends and three of Portland’s best-loved artists Dave Kahl, Mitch Kashmar and Carlton Jackson. Contact the venue for time and admission price — 503-360-1233.