Submitted by Mark Allan

Beset by technical problems created by a power outage caused by a fierce West Coast storm, a recent live-streamed concert headlined by masterful acoustic guitarist Marc Atkinson almost didn鈥檛 happen.

As Atkinson explained during an outstanding set with his trio at Courtenay鈥檚 Sid Williams Theatre, they made it to Vancouver Island from their Hornby Island homes one ferry before sailings were cancelled Oct. 25 due to high wind.

Anyone able to watch the concert, which included special guest Daniel Lapp and an opening set by talented Comox Valley guitarist Christy Vanden, got a strong hint of the breadth and depth of musical talent on Canada鈥檚 west coast.

Opening tune Honeysuckle Rose set the mood with a nod to the great Django Reinhardt, with Atkinson taking the part of the beloved gypsy jazz guitarist and Lapp in the role of brilliant violinist St茅phane Grappelli.

Like Reinhardt鈥檚 original Hot Club of France, Atkinson鈥檚 rare quartet played nimbly in this set with an irresistible sense of swing that included important contributions from bassist Scott White and Atkinson鈥檚 son Arlo, 14, as a late replacement on rhythm guitar.

Rhythm was a vital part of Reinhardt鈥檚 sound. Arlo acquitted himself admirably with wonderful interplay between him and his father. The frequent grins they exchanged hinted at a powerful bond beyond music.

All four musicians clearly love the music they played as well as creating it with each other.

Lapp鈥檚 excellence on multiple instruments and his experience playing with the likes of Elvis Costello, Lou Reed, Rickie Lee Jones, Spirit of the West, 54-40, Gord Downie, Barney Bentall, Jim Byrnes and Jim Cuddy made his participation in this special concert, well, special.

His excellent playing on violin and trumpet easily made up for his limitations as a singer.

Throughout, Atkinson鈥檚 jaw-dropping technique, compositional skills and superb musicality left no doubt why he was named Instrumental Solo Artist of the Year at the 2021 Canadian Folk Music Awards. A winner of two Western Canadian Music Awards and a Juno nominee, Atkinson deserves multiple Juno Awards, which have inexplicably eluded him and his trios.

In the meantime, he鈥檚 busy producing other musicians at his Hornby Island studio.

Better-known for her love affair with Stratocasters, Vanden opened the evening with a set drawn from her coming debut acoustic, instrumental EP Unexpected Road.

Her nimble, triple-picking digits on a pair of Taylor guitars created a musical space that listeners could easily lose themselves in. Her well-crafted songs include a masterful sense of melody and harmonics.

Heartfelt opening tune Grace is named for a beloved grandmother whose death inspired Vanden to write a moving tribute.

Vanden鈥檚 focus is clearly on her outstanding playing, which makes sense. The only quibble about her five-song set is that we don鈥檛 hear her gorgeous, understated singing. Maybe when she鈥檚 promoting her second recording.

Mark Allan has written for the AllMusic Guide.