Inspired by delta blues and southern gospel, Sam Turton has delivered heartfelt vocals and ringing slide guitar to stages and studios for over forty years. Based in Guelph, Sam is a community activist and co-leader of the All Together Now music series. His passion is bringing people together in song.
100 WORDS
Awakened by the personal honesty of blues and the community soul of gospel, Sam Turton has delivered his heartfelt vocals and ringing slide guitar to stages and studios for over forty years.
Sam's latest release returns to classic recording values, capturing the raw joy and energy of his band-of-friends performing together "AT HOME." The 15-song disk is a roots-blues-gospel gumbo packed with slide guitar, deep groove, emotive lyrics, and soul-fired harmony.
Based in Guelph, Ontario, Sam is a local community activist, therapist, and co-leader of the All Together Now music series. His passion is bringing people together in song.
250 WORDS
Awakened by the personal honesty of backroad blues and the community soul of southern gospel, Sam Turton has delivered his heartfelt vocals and ringing slide guitar to stages and studios for over forty years.
In 2003, Sam produced his first solo recording, "feel," a spicy fusion of blues, folk and R&B infused with his personal experience of political activism, earthy mysticism, and emotional exploration. Following this release, Sam's recordings and performances addressed the 2004 US election, Wal-Mart, the Afghanistan war, Haiti earthquake relief, and the Japan tsunami response.
Sam's passionate dedication to local living and community-shared music is embodied in a CD project that captures the joy and raw energy of his big band of friends performing together "AT HOME." The Turton-Lewis gathering features a who's who of Canadian folk and roots, including Laura Bird, Tannis Slimmon, and Katherine Wheatley. Available October 2011, "At Home" is a roots-blues-gospel gumbo packed with slide guitar, deep groove, emotive lyrics, and soul-fired harmony.
Through his various incarnations, Sam has opened for Big Sugar and Ron Sexsmith, jammed with Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and traded solos with guitar virtuoso Don Ross. Whether leading or supporting, he makes the music work.
At present Sam appears in various ensemble arrangements from solo acoustic to full 6-piece band, and most often with his partner Jane Lewis. Co-leader of the All Together Now music series, Sam's songs and performances dissolve the performer/audience barrier, making him a natural leader for Gospel workshops and singalongs.
EVEN MORE WORDS
A comprehensive "about Sam" can be found on the bio page of this site.
