Steve Dawson & Joachim Cooder

Some musical meetings feel less like “collaborations” and more like conversations waiting to happen. This rare collaborative run with Steve Dawson and Joachim Cooder is exactly that: two artists sharing the stage for an entire night, swapping songs, backing each other up, and following the music wherever it leads. There’s no strict division of sets here, just an open, intuitive flow built on listening, trust, and the joy of discovery.
With Dawson on a rotating cast of guitars and lap steels, and Cooder anchoring the groove with mbira and percussion, the evening unfolds as a living dialogue. Songs from each artist’s catalog weave together, traditions blur, and familiar material takes on new shapes. And somewhere along the way, who knows what forgotten gems or spontaneous moments might emerge.
Steve Dawson brings decades of roots-driven musicianship to the stage. Canadian-born and Nashville-based, he first gained international recognition as half of the Juno Award-winning duo Zubot & Dawson before carving out a wide-ranging solo career. As a guitarist, producer, and recording engineer, Dawson has worked with artists such as Allison Russell, Kelly Joe Phelps, Joe Henry, Shelby Lynne, and Matt Andersen, while also building a reputation for his deeply expressive slide, lap steel, and fingerstyle guitar work. His music draws from blues, folk, country, and global roots traditions, always grounded in feel, tone, and human connection.
Joachim Cooder’s musical path has been just as adventurous. Raised on the road alongside his father, legendary guitarist Ry Cooder, Joachim began playing drums at an early age and went on to contribute to iconic recordings including Buena Vista Social Club and the Grammy-winning A Meeting by the River. Over the years he’s become a sought-after percussionist, composer, and producer, while also developing a distinctive solo voice centered around the electric mbira (a modern take on the African thumb piano), paired with layered percussion and atmospheric textures.
Each night is a one-of-a-kind experience - equal parts roots, rhythm, and revelation. It’s about shared energy, real-time creativity, and the magic that happens when two seasoned musicians meet in the middle of the music.
Doors 7PM/ Show 8PM
https://roguefolk.bc.ca/concerts/ev26091020