FEATURING:
Richard Graham - drums and vocals
Neil Brun - electric bass
Graham How - trumpet
Jon Treichel - guitar
Alex Ward - keyboard

Richard Graham's Backbeats are a stylish performance group from the Thompson-Okanagan. Graham's band fuses driving New Orleans street beats and powerful R&B complemented by soulful vocals of the drumming front man.

The Backbeats were the feature act at the 2019 Mayor's Gala for the Arts in Kamloops BC. As an independent journeyman musician and entertainer, Richard Graham has supported a range of acts from Harlem jazz legend Ray Brown, Colin James and Corb Lund, to legacy rock acts Blue Oyster Cult and Lou Gramm. In 2018 Graham performed four services for the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra with Canadian fiddler Ashley MacIsaac. Richard also performed at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival in 2016.

Drawing from his family roots of boogie woogie piano, blues guitar, violin and drums, Richard grew up singing harmonies with his parents and siblings leading him to US and Canadian tours in his late teens and early twenties. He cites getting to know the great trumpeter and band leader Jesús Alemañy of ¡Cubanismo! around San Francisco and Santa Cruz as some of his fondest memories and lessons in leadership and musicianship. Richard credits lessons and clinics with drumming greats Roy Hayes, Ed Thigpen and Jeff Hamilton for his influences as a creative drummer and entertainer.

Graham along with the Backbeats strive to keep the roots and creative character of his favourite music alive, entertaining audiences with powerful and soulful performances.

ADMISSION: By donation.
CONCESSION: Coffee, tea and treats are also available by donation.
DOORS: Open at 6:30pm.