Underwriters help bring acoustic master to Friday Harbor

David Bromberg’s stop on San Juan Island during a West Coast tour could not have happened without underwriters — ticket prices would have been too high for our community audience.

“Little ol’ Friday Harbor” is getting a visit from David Bromberg, in part, thanks to five island families willing to help foot the bill for the acclaimed blues and roots guitarist and singer.

Bromberg will appear with the band, Ollabelle, at San Juan Community Theatre this Saturday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 pm.   For more than 40 years, Bromberg has been a bandleader, a songwriter who has grown into a roots music icon and a session guitarist, who has played with everyone from Bob Dylan to George Harrison.

Merritt Olsen, SJCT’s director, said Bromberg’s stop on San Juan Island during a West Coast tour could not have happened without underwriters — ticket prices would have been too high for our community audience.

“We strive to keep tickets as low as possible while bringing in quality, top notch musical acts,” said Olsen.  “We are very lucky to have someone like Bromberg play for us in such an intimate setting like our Whittier Theatre, with our highest price ticket being just $27.”

Bromberg’s concert tickets in Seattle cost $45.

One of those underwriters, Larry Soll, calls himself an “old blues guy” and says Bromberg is one of his favorites.

“I want there to be this kind of music on the island,” said Soll.

Jim and Jan Zurcher also donated funds for this concert.  Jim Zurcher said he was not familiar with Bromberg’s work, but really wanted to support the theatre.

“We like the blues and are looking forward to a good show,” said Zurcher.

The Business Partner for the evening is Kings Market.  Tickets are $27 for adults, $13 for student reserved, with $5 student RUSH at the door. The SJCT box office is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.   Tickets are also online at www.sjctheatre.org