High Bar Gang
Local supergroup’s unique take on repertoire from the golden age of bluegrass promises an evening of wonderfully upbeat music and stories
Beloved for their vibrant brand of old-time bluegrass, Vancouver’s High Bar Gang has played sold-out shows across the Pacific North West, including the Vancouver International Jazz Festival and San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. The seven-piece band has earned two Juno nominations and won the Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year.
One of their biggest fans is Blue Rodeo, who selected the band as the opener for a recent tour.
Formed in 2010, the High Bar Gang includes Dave Barber on banjo, mandolin, guitar, and vocals; Kirby Barber on guitar, bass and vocals; Rob Becker on bass; Barney Bentall and Wendy Bird on vocals and guitar; Colin Nairne on guitar, mandolin, and vocals; and Shari Ulrich on vocals, fiddle, and mandolin.
The band’s gorgeous vocal harmony and masterful instrumental performances take inspiration from such bluegrass legends as Bill Monroe, the Stanley Brothers and Del McCoury, whose songs have become staples of their winning concerts.