With 4 Juno Awards and 10 Juno Award nominations between them, Bill Bourne, Lester Quitzau and Madagascar Slim are truly major players in the Canadian music scene. Tri-Continental is a collaboration between these three artists and friends, demonstrating an artistic respect for one another which is clearly evident when listening to the music which they have composed. Each musician has established himself as a respected artist in such musical genres as Folk, Celtic and World, but they all share an extreme passion for, and knowledge of, the blues.

Tri-Continental’s members have a long history in Canadian music. In the 1980’s, Bill Bourne, with his trademark top hat, cowboy boots and ’68 Lincoln, did a three year stint with Scotland’s well known Tannahill Weavers. From this his friendship with Alan McLeod grew, to form the group Bourne and McLeod, followed by a collaboration with violinist/fiddler Shannon Johnson, on to work with guitarist Andreas Schuld and blues man Hans Stamer to release the country blues project “No Special Rider”.

Canadian roots music artist Lester Quitzau began his blues apprenticeship in the funky working-class bars of Edmonton, which has evolved into an eclectic and constantly evolving musical journey for the guitarist, singer, composer and producer. Whether he’s coaxing languid, hypnotic sounds from his slide guitar or improvising freely with musical partners, a hard-won honesty underscores every note.

Randriamananjara Radofa Besata Jean Longin was born in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar. At the age of nine, his brother got a guitar. By imitating his brother and playing his guitar when he was not home, Mr. Randriamananjara picked up the Madagascar dance style called Salegy. An introduction to Jimi Hendrix on the radio changed his life and Madagascar Slim, as he prefers to be known, was born. An immersion in blues, as well as the popular music of his own country, created a bicultural artist. Arriving in Canada in 1979, by 1980 he was a founding member of the French-Canadian folk music ensemble La Ridaine. A trip home a few years ago allowed him to study the valiha, the bamboo zither of the Malgache. By combining his love of the blues and his roots in Madagascar, Slim has fashioned his very own approach to world music - infectious, passionate and full of complex rhythms that surprise and delight.

Sweet vocal harmonies and imaginative guitar playing are the hallmark of Tri-Continental’s music. With a mutual love of emotional collaboration and a great curiosity for where their music originates, this trio of artists has created a series of recordings that are a product of faith, dreams, broken hearts, grit and most importantly, friendship. The ease and mellowness of their sessions makes you feel like one of the guys!

For high res Tri-Continental pics and pdf's visit the download section

TRI-CONTINENTAL DOWNLOADS