James Hay Blues Band

James Hay is a Western Canadian electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter based in Kelowna, British Columbia. With more than 30 years of experience working as a full-time sideman in blues bands, James has spent decades immersed in the language, feel and tradition of the blues. Today, he brings that experience to the stage as a solo performer and as frontman of the James Hay Blues Band.

The James Hay Blues Band is a hard-driving, swampy blues trio built around James Hay on guitar and vocals, “Boogie Man” Blue Rooney on bass, and PJ “Like the Pyjamas” Hermann on drums. Together, they serve up a gritty mix of delta slide, jump, jive, swing and boogie with plenty of groove and attitude.

The band’s repertoire blends original material with vintage and contemporary blues, drawing inspiration from the greats of the genre while bringing their own energy and personality to every performance. Expect everything from the raw sounds of Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Slim Harpo and Muddy Waters to the electrifying styles of B.B. King, Albert King, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins and contemporary artists including John Mayer, Gary Clark Jr., Marcus King and the North Mississippi Allstars.

Whether they’re digging into a swampy slide number, laying down a swinging groove or turning up the volume on a hard-driving blues burner, the James Hay Blues Band delivers the kind of live blues that’s made for moving, listening and having a damn good time.