Philip Sayce
Welsh born guitar hero Philip Sayce, who rose to prominence in Toronto in the 90’s, makes his Violet’s Venue debut on Friday March 20, 2015. Heavily energized by the music he heard at home: Eric Clapton, Ry Cooder, and Dire Straits among others, Sayce started gigging and jamming at all the Toronto clubs worth mentioning at the age 16.
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It wasn’t long before his six string prowess caught the attention of Jeff Healey, prompting Healey to offer the 21 year old Sayce the second guitar chair in his band in1997. It goes without saying that performing and recording alongside a guitar master over the course of the next four years unquestionably honed Sayce’s chops.
Following the lead of a number of talented Canadian artists, Sayce chose to move to the U.S., in this case L.A., in hopes of furthering his career – all the while staying true to his personal quest of following what moves him. Primary among his various L.A. ventures was joining multi Grammy Award winner Melissa Etheridge’s band in 2003. He would go on to tour and record with Etheridge over the course of the next five years while continuing to perform and record with his own band.
Sayce has just signed with Warner Music Canada and in March of 2015 will release Influence – his 7th album – on the Warner label. Influence, currently available only in Europe and the U.K., is an outstanding mix of originals and well chosen covers. Upon hearing the CD, the listener is immediately drawn to Sayce’s high voltage Stevie Ray Vaughan / Jimi Hendrix / Mark Knofler inspired guitar playing. And that’s definitely the hook; but it doesn’t stop there. Combine the head turning guitar skills with expressive vocals delivering on a variety musical style and you get the whole picture – an artist following his heart, making that emotional connection.
Be part of that connection with Philip Sayce at Violet’s.
