At least eighty people were filed into the Gorge Hall on May 27.

Amy and Rick Bockner sang a father-daughter blues duet to tease the crowd, then Jonathan James was introduced to the eager audience. Dancing began instantly on the caulk-boot-pocked floor as audible hoots and hollers welcomed the musician to the hall. The local performer opened with “Harbour Side Love Letter” an original that Jonathan recently wrote. He dedicated a song to his Squirrel Cove community. Grandparents were swaying, moms were boogying, and teenagers were blending in. A four-year old was doing pirouettes directly in front of stage-left. 

What is it about blues music that brings communities together? Johnny Hanuse is an elected councillor for the Klahoose First Nation, a political science student at the University of Victoria, and, at his core, Hanuse is a blues musician. Hanuse goes by his first two legal names when he is on stage, ‘Jonathan James’. Hanuse grew up on the Klahoose Rez. His family has been using music to bring the community together for many generations. Hanuse shares the journey of blues from his discovery of the guitar, to his first live performance at age 12, and how the love of music is always there for him. 

“Its like a vibe, its a feeling, its growing”, Hanuse chimes to describe the scene created when live music and community converge. “Always circling back, always picking up the guitar.”

Hanuse has consistent memories throughout his life where music was center stage. Back then, it was his dad’s house, the high school and the Gorge Hall. Last Friday night, Whaletown had the pleasure of being reconnected with blues music once again. When Hanuse left the stage, he joined the crowd and danced the night away to the headliner, Jesse Roper. Stay tuned for more music on Cortes Island this summer.

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