Royal Wood

Two of Canada's most compelling songwriters in one exceptional evening in Fort Saskatchewan. Pianist Jeffery Straker serves up rootsy-storytelling songs with rich narratives while his song writing can transport a listener - out onto a lake in Canada's North or to the main street of any prairie town. With two albums debuting in the Top 30, and multiple JUNO and Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, Royal Wood's heartfelt lyrics and multi-instrumental charm endear audiences to his music as a truly Canadian talent. Singer-songwriter pianist Jeffery Straker grew up taking piano lessons in a small Saskatchewan farming town on the Canadian prairies, raised by a church organist mother and an auctioneer father. He's gone on to perform over 100 shows per year across Canada, Europe and Latin America. Serving up a rootsy-storytelling brand of song with rich narratives, his song writing has the ability to transport a listener - out onto a lake in Canada's North or to the main street of a prairie town. Across 8 albums to date critical comparisons have been drawn to the likes of Harry Chapin, Kris Kristofferson, & Jackson Browne while performances have seen him live on BBC radio in the UK, in concert with symphony orchestras and on festival and theatre stages. Since being proclaimed "Songwriter of the Year" by iTunes, Royal Wood has continued to evolve and hone his musical craft - maintaining an unmistakable identity while uncovering and reinventing his sound. Royal has two albums that have debuted in the Top 30, multiple JUNO nominations, a 5-time Canadian Folk Music Award-nominee, and a #1 added song at Hot AC radio. His songs have been heard on high-profile sync placements like Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice. His career finds him headlining world-class venues like Massey Hall and Roy Thompson Hall in Toronto, The National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and The Winspear Centre in Edmonton. It also finds him supporting artists like Bonnie Raitt and David Gray on their national tours.