Rick writes songs about relationships; relationships between people and loved ones and friends and strangers, relationships between people and their society, and relationships with our planet.

For 25 years Rick has been observing people and writing about them, from the depths of despair to the heights of joy, always with a positive and wry take on the foibles of humanity being humanity.

Writing in a variety of acoustic styles including folk, country, Latin, blues and African, he brings the large and small issues of life to life.

Heavily influenced by the Canadian folk music scene in the seventies, Rick was stirred by the reggae wave in the early seventies with Jimmy Cliff, Peter Tosh, and of course Bob Marley, and also by the new country/swing/bluegrass movements of the times. Those styles have continued on to this day to influence his music, which can perhaps be described as acoustic roots/swing-grass music.

Rick has played as a solo artist all over Canada since time immemorial, and also in many groups in a wide variety of styles including blues, folk, country, Latin, and African. Among the better known bands were the Real Live Dance Band, Stone Whistle, and Jambo Salama.

The Real Live Dance Band in the early 1980s was a popular rock/blues/commercial pop band on the west coast. It was here that he first learned traditional Irish tunes on mandolin. 

Stone Whistle was a Celtic-rock fusion band that played halls and festivals in the mid-nineties on the Canadian west coast. Stone Whistle played all original and Celtic traditional tunes. Garvin contributed vocals, guitar and mandolin to this project. The band released a CD called "Salamanders" in 1995.

Jambo Salama was an African/Latin project fronted by Prince Nallo of Sierra Leone and based in Victoria BC, that played hall dances, festivals, and occasional club dates in the late nineties. The band was known for its all-original music and for its high spirited gigs and loyal fans.

Besides performing, Garvin also did live sound for a wide range of bands for many years in the eighties and nineties, including John Lee Hooker, Leo Kottke, James Cotton, the Dead Kennedys and Ian Tyson, west coast world-beat bands such as Alpha Yaya Diallo and Ngoma, and numerous outdoor festivals.  He also worked in the film and video production industry for several years in the nineties. He then put it all aside to focus on earning a living, and now can finally return to making music.

Feedback

“It was our pleasure to have you play for us. You sounded great.”
..... Darla Sawatsky, Bookings Director - Tongue On the Post Festival and Medicine Hat Folk Music Club 

"Evolution"  is at once the title of the first solo album by singer/songwriter Rick Garvin and an apt description of the changes in his sound as he has moved from region to region and band to band. In 2008, Garvin's music shifts easily - and ear-pleasingly- from folk to swing to reggae to ska. A highly recommended debut.”
..... Mark Rheaume - CBC Radio

 Festival Appearances

• Tongue On the Post festival, Medicine Hat Alberta, 2010
• Uptown Winterfest, Edmonton Alberta, 2009, 2010
• Revelstoke Musicfest, Revelstoke BC, 2009
• Homefest, Edmonton Alberta, 2008
• FlowerFest, Seba Beach, Alberta, 2008, 2009
• Athabasca Magnificent River Rats Festival, Athabasca Alberta, 2001
• Victoria Folk Fest, Victoria BC, 1998
• Northwest Folklife Festival, Seattle USA, 1996
• Yale Music Jamboree, Yale BC, 1995
• Islands Folk Festival, Duncan BC, 1993, 1994
• Renaissance Faire, Comox Valley BC, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985

 Music

The Family of Man: Rick Garvin - "The Family of Man" - released 2009 - the latest solo album features 14 new acoustic songs about life and love, with wonderful backup musicians led by Wendell Ferguson, 6-time CCMA Guitar Player of the Year. From beginning to end, a thoughtful and sometimes funny look at ourselves and our place in the world.

Evolution: Rick Garvin - "Evolution" - recorded in 2001 and 2007 - The first solo album was finally and officially released in 2007. The album is the result of requests from relatives and friends for a collection of favourite songs. Although some of the songs date back years (or decades), this is the first time they have been all gathered together. The album was recorded mostly in the Back Yard digital studio from September 2000 to February 2001, and the finishing touches were done in 2007. Courtney Garvin contributed the front panel artwork for the album, and Graeme Garvin created the back panel artwork. Two songs, "Round Round" and "Little Piggies", were added from the earlier Stone Whistle CD rather than re-recording them.

Salamanders: Stone Whistle - "Salamanders" - released 1995 - Stone Whistle was a Celtic rock fusion band based in Victoria, BC, which became very popular on the dance hall circuit around Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands in the mid 90's. Their debut (and only) CD released in 1995, "Salamanders", received critical approval and airplay on local college and public radio, and the CBC nationally and in Poland. Rick played guitar and mandolin in Stone Whistle, and also contributed vocals and some songs.

Featured Songs:
1. Even So  2. I Love You Rag  3. If I Could Live in My Lover's Eyes 
4. Nothing Comes From Nothing  5.Round Round

Rick Garvin Links

• Visit Rick Garvin on the Web