WATCH: Keeping the blues alive in Kelowna

For Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, the School of Blues is an opportunity to educate people about where most music today gets it roots – the blues.

“Pop, jazz, country, hip-hop, all those things came from the blues roots,” he said. “It’s been my mission to continue that or at least make people aware that this music is the root of the music that they love.”

Born in Spokane and raised in New Orleans, Wayne has unapologetically played the blues for nearly 60 years. The Juno Award-winning singer songwriter has travelled and performed around world.

He and local musician Sherman “Tank” Doucette started the School of Blues five years ago. They wanted to introduce the genre to Kelowna and allow lovers of the energetic sounds a place to enjoy it.

“Blues is healing music,” Doucette told Kelowna10. “The music picks you up when you’re down and keeps you dancing. Blues is good news, and most people know that.”

Doucette, originally from North Battleford, Sask., has played the harmonica for over 40 years. The pair have known each other for over 30 years, meeting in the Vancouver music scene.

The School of Blues is an opportunity for anyone to come and enjoy the sounds of the Deep South in the Okanagan and take in the musical expertise of the Blues Boss and Doucette.

During the set, the two grace the audience with instruments like the harmonica, drums, guitar, upright bass, and piano.

Wayne, whose mainly tickles the black and white keys, said it is important to bring a piano element, which serves as an important piece for any blues song.

“An identifiable element of the blues you think of harmonica and guitar…. but they left out the other elements that was before those two,” he said. “We collaborate and present some traditional music for people that love to hear it and a lot of people are interested.”

The next opportunity to take in the School of Blues is on March 17 at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Future dates are yet to be decided.