The Sojourners | Tonye Aganaba

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You probably have heard how The Sojourners got their start. When Canadian blues icon Jim Byrnes called Vancouver based gospel singer Marcus Mosely on the phone back in 2006 to ask if he could round up a few friends to record some back up vocals for a new album, no one could have guessed what would happen next.

From the moment Mosely and his pals stepped up to the microphone and began singing, they realized that they had something very special going on. When Byrnes dubbed the trio The Sojourners the name stuck and – as they say – the rest is history.

Formative years spent singing in the churches of Marcus Mosely, Will Sanders and Khari McClelland, (from Ralls, Texas, Alexandria, Louisiana and Detroit, Michigan respectively) give The Sojourners' sound an authentic edge that only comes with experience. This is real gospel ... blessed with a soul that can't be faked.

Hot on the tail of their session with Byrnes, the Sojourners went into the studio with roots music whiz Steve Dawson to record 'Hold On', their first solo album in 2007. The trio had definite ideas of how they wanted their record to sound, and one listen through the songs they've captured here shows that they've succeeded beyond their wildest expectations.

This is not music that strives to be polite. In The Sojourners' universe, echoes of doo wop, R&B, country and blues weave together to create a unique sound that has all but vanished from today's world. This is gospel music that can take a punch and remain standing. Singing praise music with their own special 'stank', the Vancouver based Sojourners sound just as at home in a road house bar as they do in a revival tent.

Highlights of the group's time together include a definitive show with the Dixie Hummingbirds, opening spots with Jim Byrnes at the Vancouver Jazz Festival for both Dr. John and the Blind Boys of Alabama and featured stages at most of the major Canadian folk and roots festivals.

'Eyes on the Prize' from 'Hold On' was selected for inclusion in 'Let Freedom Sing', a Time-Life compilation box set celebrating the music of the American civil rights era. The Sojourners were also pleased to participate in both the CD and DVD of the award-winning 'Things About Coming My Way: A Tribute to the Music of the Mississippi Sheiks'.

Their second, self titled album came out on Black Hen Music in 2010. “The much-anticipated eponymous follow-up to their 2007 debut album 'Hold On' ... our boys have recorded a slide-guitar-soaked 11-track Hammond B-3 organ-driven throwback to the old-time jubilation-style gospel vocals of the Blind Boys Of Alabama. By God, this is a great album." - The Ottawa Express.

Their third release 'Sing and Never Get Tired' came out on Paul Pigat's Little Pig Records label in 2013. It was produced by Paul, too. "The Sojourners new album is just plain good listening. But more importantly it shouts for social justice by reinforcing those inseparable links between the early spirituals, gospel, and activist folk music which all arise from hope, faith and courage in the face of adversity. Listen and you shall be released." - Marc Lindy, Gospel Train, CFRO 100.5 Vancouver.

They receive a steady stream of invitations to contribute to the recordings and live performances of a diverse range of artists, spanning several genres, from the outer reaches of jazz to beat box / street poetry.

Marcus and Will became Canadian citizens in the summer of 2008. The band was invited to perform on Parliament Hill on Canada Day that year, where they sang the national anthem.

The Sojourners are a rock solid unit and proof positive that faith can move mountains. But, don't let that scare you away. Sinner or saved - wherever you are on your own personal journey, you should listen to The Sojourners. You'll feel better for it.

The new CD is called 'Freedom Never Dies'. Here's an EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW from the new EP, a track simply called 'Harry Moore'. Harry Tyson Moore was an African-American educator, a pioneer leader of the civil rights movement, founder of the first branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in Brevard County, Florida, and president of the state chapter of the NAACP. Click here to listen!

We have been waiting a long time for a new release from this talented trio. Based on their past work, we just know it's going to be a good one! The concert promises to be a memorable night.

Featuring: Tonye Aganaba

Tonye Aganaba is a dynamic and sultry singer-songwriter born in the United Kingdom, and raised in Canada. Now based in beautiful Vancouver B.C, she has lent her voice to an ever increasing collection of music spanning all genres. Tonye is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, and arts facilitator residing on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam & Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. The new album ‘Something Comfortable’ is an intentional and devotional endeavour inspired by a battle with Multiple Sclerosis. The album serves as the score to ‘AfroScience’ an immersive performance and workshop series fusing live music, dance, visual art/digital media and storytelling to stimulate conversation and action around identity, addiction, healing, and expression. Tonye’s shows, workshops, and classes are connected and intimate experiences, and evoke a kind of vulnerability that we all hunger for.

The Rogue Folk Club is pleased to provide great Sponsorship Opportunities for all our shows. For a nominal cost, individuals or businesses can sponsor any of our shows and reap a number of benefits - free tickets, reserved table, recognition on literature, our web site and at the concerts. For more information, simply contact our Sponsorship Director Morris Biddle at mobiddley@me.com