Just like many bands get their start, Squamish’s Bluesberry Jam started with an impromptu jam session over a few drinks at a party. But not many of those sessions turn into a 25-year-long ride, and that is exactly what the band is celebrating this year — 25 years of performing and exploring a special sound that is uniquely theirs.
Based around founding members Woody Woodridge (lead vocals), Keith Junkin (sax, guitar), and Antti Makitalo (guitar), the band has kept on playing through many different iterations and the comings and goings of 32 different full-time members, sit-ins and guests. Through all of that, they have continued to adhere to a unique blues vibe that mixes in elements of rhythm and blues, rock, soul and funk.
“We all kind of stuck together, us three did, but we’re still here,” said Woodridge. “Blues was my thing, so that was it. I joined, and here we are 25 years later.” At the beginning, the others had to twist his arm to join them, but once he did, the three kept going strong and have gone from a local jazz band to local legends.
“Bluesberry Jam, over 25 years, went from just being a band to being an institution in Squamish,” said Junkin. “And we’ve just been honored to play with all these talented guests and musicians over the years. We just appreciate so many different talents. Life kicks in and people have to leave and others come in, it’s just a journey that everybody’s enjoyed together.”
All in the name of getting people of all ages up and on the dance floor – and that’s been the prevailing philosophy from the start: having fun, making people dance. For vocalist Samantha Sinanan, it comes through on the stage.
“One of the most important things in my experience with the band is, it’s not just about the music,” Sinanan said. “We all genuinely like each other and get along and are friends as well as band mates and musicians. I think that really comes across. I’ve been in several bands before this one and I never quite felt that same sense of camaraderie and cohesion. It makes it much easier to do your job as an individual, because you’ve got ten fantastic musicians behind you.”
The band now stands at 11 members, the most it’s ever had, complete with a horn section and backing singers that are rounding out a new sound and taking them in new directions.
It’s definitely not the first time that the lineup has influenced the sound, and it’s this constant adaptation to new members that keeps things interesting.
“The many transitions to many forms in the band has always been exciting,” said Makitalo, referencing the various keyboard players, percussionists, harmonica players, and others who have played with them over the years.
“It may feel like it’s a bit of a bummer when somebody leaves, but change has always been good, and has kept it fresh.”
Sinanan, who joined Bluesberry Jam five years ago, agrees, but she says the three founding members are the anchors who have kept their audiences coming back.
“All the changes, how the band has gone through all these different iterations and evolutions, with new players and old players, I think that really goes a long way towards keeping the band fresh,” she said. “But I think the longevity of Antti, Woody and Keith is really an important piece of the band. The fans who’ve been following Bluesberry Jam, many of them have been following us for a long time, and they’ve been doing that because these guys have been part of the show the whole time.”
For example, she explained, when Woodridge missed a few shows a few years back to have a knee replacement, “people were outraged — ‘where’s Woody?’ People have grown to love those long-time members so much. So change has been good, but also people love to see the familiar faces.”
This summer their loyal fan base will be seeing their faces for the first time since the pandemic started, when the band will play a live streaming show on August 29, as part of the Squamish Live Virtual Concert Series presented by Douglas Kerr.
“As long as it’s safe, man, we’re ready to get down,” Junkin said; the event will be played in front of a live audience, and the band can’t wait to get back on a stage again, especially at what they say is their favourite venue — the Brackendale Art Gallery. Although, there have been many other venues over the years and many shows, notably two performances at the Paralympic Games in 2010, opening for Jim Byrne, and rocking the patio at the top of the Sea to Sky Gondola. But the most memorable show of all?
Let’s just say they refer to it as “The Machete Wedding.”
How long will the band keep playing? They don’t like to predict. “All our projections have been wrong,” said Makitalo. “So I think we’ll just keep doing this for as long as it’s fun.”
And that could be a long time indeed.
For ticket information on the Squamish Concert Series, visit douglaskerrbands.com.
