Randy Bachman, Colin James join tribute to Jeff Healey
Details have been released about a pair of Toronto tribute concerts to honour Canadian guitar great Jeff Healey, who died March 2 of cancer.
Guitarists Randy Bachman and Colin James and singers David Wilcox and Alannah Myles are among the artists who will participate, Healey’s wife, Cristie, announced Wednesday.
Jeff Healey’s backup band Jazz Wizards will open the first tribute concert May 3.
Cream vocalist and bass player Jack Bruce and Deep Purple’s Ian Gillan also will appear during an evening that will focus on Healey’s contribution to rock.
The second event, to be held May 4, will be for lovers of Healey’s jazz career and include artists such as Marty Grosz, Brad Kay and Vince Giordano.
Proceeds from the shows will go to the Healey Family Trust and to Daisy’s Eye Cancer Fund, a charity that assists the families of children with retinoblastoma, the rare cancer that claimed Healey’s sight when he was one year old.
“The shows will provide a great way for his friends and fans to pay tribute to his memory, and support a cause that was so very important to Jeff,” Cristie Healey said in a statement.
“This has been a great reminder for Jeff’s family and close circle of friends of how many people were touched by Jeff and his music,” she added. “I think we have assembled an incredible collection of talent, and created two shows that Jeff would love.”
Healey played guitar, trombone, trumpet and keyboard. He began his career as a blues-rock artist and later returned to his early love, jazz. He was 41 when he died.
Tickets for both events go on sale Friday in Toronto.
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