Behind the Scenes – Meet Rick Estrin & the Nightcats!!
The 2024 Cool Blues Show features five world-renowned blues musicians, food trucks, an art installation, artisan vendors, games, the Expedia Cruises Blues & Brew Beer Garden with beer by Trading Post and the hangout area by Freybe Gourmet Foods, and more!
It’s all happening on July 26, 2024 from 4-11pm at Fort Langley Community Park!
Our incredible line-up features:
Tom Lavin & The Legendary Powder Blues Band
Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
Miss Emily
Silent Partners, a tribute to B.B. King
Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne
We sat down with each of the five headliners to find out more about them, what inspires them, how they got started and more. Check out all the blogs here → https://www.fortlangleyjazzfest.com/news
This week, we caught up with Rick Estrin & The Nightcats!
We love his response when asked what inspires him to play music: “To paraphrase the late, great John Lee Hooker, it’s in me, and it’s got to come out.” He adds that there’s something incredibly special about creating something that other people can relate to and identify with, and at the very least, taking people’s minds off their immediate troubles.
Rick is influenced by Jimmy Reed, James Cotton, Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson. “For me, lists like these could be endless,” he says.
Read the full interview below!
Introducing Rick Estrin & The Nightcats
1. How old were you when you first started playing?
I started messing with the guitar around 12 years old and started playing harmonica at about 15.
2. Who was/is your biggest musical inspiration?
I really can’t pick out just one person. As a harmonica player my biggest influences were probably Jimmy Reed, James Cotton, Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson. As a songwriter, I could cite Sonny Boy Williamson, Leiber and Stoller and Percy Mayfield. Honestly, for me, lists like these could be endless.
3. What inspires you to make and perform music?
To paraphrase the late, great John Lee Hooker, it’s in me, and it’s got to come out. Also, there’s something special about creating something that other people can relate to and identify with, and at the very least you’re taking people’s minds off their immediate troubles. Truthfully, there’s little else I ever wanted to do.
4. What advice would you give a young musician starting out?
If you don’t absolutely have to do it, keep it as a hobby. It can be a wonderful vocation, but the odds of actually making a living playing music are very small.
5. What do you do when you're not playing music?
I goof around and marvel at my absurd good fortune.
Learn more about Rick Estrin & the Nightcats here → https://rickestrin.com/
Get your tickets!
Group tickets: Buy 5 tickets and get 1 FREE (that’s a savings of $65!)!
VIP Experience: For $89.50, you’ll receive an exclusive VIP entrance, reserved premium seating (BYO chair/blanket), VIP line access at the beer garden, backstage Meet & Greet with Blues Show headliners, and a 10% discount on festival tees!
Regular tickets: $65
Get your tickets here → https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/2024-cool-blues-show-tickets-764908400617