Swan Walker

Here's a veteran causeway performer I've not featured so far this year - Swan Walker. Swan adds a distinctly Caribbean flavor to the causeway and though he plays a lot of calypso and reggae music he has a wide repertoire of other popular music as well as his own distinctive compositions. In addition to guitar he also plays a pair of steel drums. If you see him on the Causeway make sure you stop and listen - you won't regret it.

Island Music

Here's another local musician I saw and heard on Friday night, not at the night market but on the causeway. This is Swan Walker. In the photo above he is playing those wonderful bell-like steel drums that provide the perfect accompaniment for much of his calypso inspired repertoire. But he often switches to his guitar for some reggae or other contemporary music, including his own unique songs.

Swan Song

			The musicians pictured here gathered together on Thursday afternoon to hold a concert on Victoria's Inner Harbour Causeway. The concert was to bid farewell to a long-time musician on the Causeway, Swan Walker. Swan is moving to Toronto and the proceeds of the concert were aimed at helping to defray his moving expenses. Swan's energetic reggae and calypso influenced music will be much missed here.

The video below captures some of the session, which ran for two hours.

Swan Walker

Here's another of the Causeway's finest performers, Swan Walker. Swan plays mostly reggae though he salts his performances with songs from other genres. When he brings his big blue steel drums they give a whole new edge to tried and true reggae favorites. Best of all, though, in my opinion, is when Swan plays his own compositions - interesting tunes that provide a firm basis for lyrics that are intelligent and arresting. Swan's another good reason for spending some time on the Causeway.

Swan Walker

The hands above are playing the steel drums accompanying another remarkable causeway performer, Swan Walker. Swan's Caribbean roots are expressed in his wide repertoire of reggae music, particularly the songs of Bob Marley. But his renditions of songs by R&B performers such as Brook Benton indicate the wide range of his talent. Those blue steel drums with their penetrating bell-like tones are the perfect acompaniment for his formidable singing but he also plays a mean guitar. I was lucky to catch Swan jamming with Dave Harris yesterday as the sun was setting over the causeway. I wish you'd been there.

Visitors or Victoria residents can always check the Busker Schedule to find out when to catch Swan Walker and/or Dave Harris on the causeway.