Ryan LeBlanc – Jan/Feb 2009
Ryan LeBlanc
Some of the most exciting acoustic music to come out of the East Coast of this country in recent years has flowed from the nimble fingers and exceedingly creative mind of multi-instrumentalist Ryan LeBlanc.
LeBlanc, who hails from St. Andrews NB, fuses together choice elements of jazz, blues, and world music to create a driving, rhythmic, highly melodic brand of acoustic music that manages to both stimulate and calm you at the same time.
His highly original material has many shades, colours, textures, and moods, and each piece has a distinct personality and character of its own.
Having seen LeBlanc perform live a number of times I can also say that he is almost as interesting to watch as he is to listen to. In concert, he moves easily from guitar to clawhammer banjo to harmonica – all of which he excels at – as well as from cajon to djembe. He routinely uses his body as part of his percussion ensemble to interesting effect.
He can be absolutely mesmerizing at times. If you close your eyes when you listen to some tracks on his latest project, the aptly titled Against The Grain, you would swear there were several players in the room instead of just one highly resourceful one.
LeBlanc’s stock has been steadily rising, both nationally and internationally, thanks to a touring schedule that has taken him to dozens of stages on the festival and concert circuit both at home and abroad.
His multi-layered sonic soundscapes have found favour across Canada and the US as well as in the UK, France, Belgium, and Germany. This October, he was invited to play at the Open Strings International Guitar Festival in Osnabruck, Germany, where he was the only Canadian artist to perform at an event showcasing more than 16 acoustic guitar masters from around the world.
Categories: Showcase