I took a visit to the Kamloops Farmers’ Market on Saturday September 19. Amid the various vegetablecrops, coffee, baking and other items there were two musical bands playing. In the main market area, an ever-expanding group of all ages, called Smashed Banana played a variety of tunes including a Fleetwood Mac cover and a few folk songs

Their instruments consisted of a variety of guitars, a ukulele, vocals, percussions and a stringed instrument featuring a small banjo-style body matched with the tuned, fretted neck of a mandolin called a banjolin. It is traditionally used in folk and early jazz songs. It fit in well with the other instruments. The strolling shoppers seemed to enjoy the sounds.

Later around the side of the Stuart Wood School a new, little big band called Swagger and Swing got the crowd dancing, clapping and singing to many blues, jump and jive favourites. This fine septet played “Boppin’ With the Blues,” “Stray Cat Strut,” “Doin’ It Right,” a medley of songs from James Bond movies and many more.

I recognized Ken McLelland on trombone and David Langevin on guitar and vocals. Both have played in a variety of bands around town. This is a very good new band and hopefully they will more gigs soon. There was a nice variety of music on this gorgeous, late summer day at the Kamloops Farmer’s Market.