A CANADIAN band will give a masterclass in bluegrass when they perform at The Petersfield school this weekend..

It’s a long way from Toronto to The Petersfield School (TPS) but The Slocan Ramblers are well worth the air fare.

The four-piece from the shores of Lake Ontario are a “young bluegrass band to watch” being rooted in tradition, fearlessly creative and possessing a bold, dynamic sound.

The “young bluegrass superstars” have become a leading light in Canada’s roots music scene thanks to their energetic live shows and impeccable musicianship. They’ve also got an uncanny ability to convert revellers into life-long fans so this Saturday’s gig at Studio@TPS should be a revelation for the uninitiated.

Founded in 2011, the Canucks have become concert favourites since emerging from Toronto’s bluegrass scene at the start of the decade, playing late-night bars to boisterous crowds.

They relased their first album the following year while their follow-up, Coffee Creek, earned them a Canadian Folk Music Award nomination.

Their third, Queen City Jubilee, was critially acclaimed upon release in June 2018 and saw them nominated for a Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of a Grammy, in the Traditional Roots Album of the Year category.

The band – consisting of Frank Evans (vocals and banjo), Adrian Gross (mandolin), Alastair Whitehead (bass) and Darryl Poulsen (guitar) – are a tightly-knit unit with a fierce appreciation for old-time Appalachian musical traditions.

They blend devilishly intricate instrumentals with evocative vocals on songs ranging from fine originals to rowdy old-time numbers. Needless to say they’re ready to raise the roof at The Petersfield School – and you need to be there to see it, with the show beginning at 7pm.

Tickets are £16 on the door or £14 in advance from Petersfield Town Visitor Centre, One Tree Books or Vinyl Matters.

They can also be purchased securely online at www.wegottickets.com/event/473652