HIGHRISE LONESOME has been performing their unique bluegrass and roots music since 1995. Vocals are a major part of their sound, with the duo singing of Sue Malcolm and Vic Smyth as the centrepiece. While honouring their bluegrass roots, they love to explore and branch out to create original new sounds. They are good friends who love to perform together, and audiences love the sense of fun this quartet projects. 

SUE MALCOLM plays guitar and sings lead and harmony in a warm, natural style. She has performed bluegrass, country, old-time, western swing and children’s music for many years, and was a founding member of Vancouver’s Pacific Bluegrass and Heritage Society in 1980. Sue teaches singing and guitar at the BC Bluegrass Workshop, Georgia Strait Guitar Workshop and the Moveable Music School. She created the Slow Pitch Jam, a unique method of teaching bluegrass jamming to beginners, and has presented workshops at festivals in BC, Alberta, Washington and Oregon.

VIC SMYTH started out in the early eighties playing folk music in bars and coffeehouses in Nova Scotia. He brings great energy to his mandolin playing and lead and harmony vocals. His crystal clear baritone shines on solos and blends seamlessly on harmonies. Vic and Sue’s duets are a highlight of Rhythm Roundup’s sound.

DON FRASER aka ‘the Maestro’ added his inventive dobro stylings to Rhythm Roundup’s lineup in the fall of 2007. Don’s abilities run the gamut from bluegrass and country to swing standards and gypsy jazz. As part of the duo ‘Swingamajig’, with son Michael, Don has performed at jazz festivals around North America and Europe. Don has won numerous awards including first place at the Western Canada Guitar Championship. He is well respected in Western Canada as a teacher, performer and arranger, and is a regular instructor at the Georgia Strait Guitar Workshop, Moveable Music School and BC Bluegrass Workshop.

STU McDONALD on acoustic and electric bass, is well known in the Vancouver music scene as a member of such bands as Crawfish Fiesta, Helen Gone and The Beverly Brothers. Making good use of his razor-sharp wit, Stu has made it his mission to revive the role of the bassist-comedian so popular with early bluegrass and country bands.

Note: This Performance will be on the Bandshell Stage.