CBC Musical Nooners July 3: Jim Byrnes and the Sojourners

Don't miss the opening of the2015CBCMusical Nooners series this Friday, July 3, featuring two of Vancouver's most-treasuredblues and gospel artists.

• CBC Musical Nooners are back!

Grab your lunch, your friendsand your co-workers and join usbeginning at noon for this free, one-hour long concert at the CBC Plaza on Hamilton Street, between WestGeorgia and Robson.

Jim Byrnes

Multi-nominated and Juno Award winner Jim Byrnes is a legendary blues crooner originally from the north side of St. Louis, Missouri.

Now based in Vancouver, this self-taught guitarist battled through injury and life-threatening illness to become the music icon that he is today.

Byrnes' smokey vocals naturally complementthe varied emotional timbres that thrive in blues and R&B.As versedin '70s R&B as he is in delta slide guitar or pure gospel, there is no shade of blues Byrnes hasn't tackled.

The Sojourners

The Vancouver-based Sojourners' sound is rooted in an authenticity that only comes with experience.

Having spent their formative years singing in their hometownchurches in the United States, the rich gospel tones of their music, combined with echoes of doo wop, R&B, country and blues weave together to create a rousing, feel good experience.

This is real gospel,enriched with a soul that can't be faked.

The CBC Musical Noonersare a series of free, live music concerts every weekdayfrom noon to 1 p.m.onthe CBC Vancouver Plaza on Hamilton Street (between West Georgia and Robson).

While we do control the line-up, we can't control the weather.Follow us on Twitter at@CBCVancouveror#musicalnoonersin case of changes to the schedule due to inclement weather.