Six String Nation Guitar

	Jowi Taylor with Six String Nation: it took 10 years to collect the 64 pieces of wood, bone and stone that make up the guitar.

Thanks to a special fund-raiser hosted by John & Peggy Bennett, Estival! is proud to present Jowi Taylor and the Six String Nation guitar (nick-named “Voyageur”).

To quote Jowi’s book on the subject:

Voyageur, the Six String Nation guitar, is built from a vast and various nation: it consists almost entirely of pieces of Canadian history. Pierre Trudeau’s canoe paddle is the tone bar, Paul Henderson’s hockey stick is part of the pick guard, and the sacred Golden Spruce of Haida Gwaii forms the face. Even Maurice “Rocket” Richard’s first Stanley Cup ring is in Voyageur: a tiny piece of the ring adorns the ninth fret.

This is an almost magical piece of Canadiana with a fabulous story behind the collection of it’s 64 component parts, it’s loving creation by luthier George Rizsanyi and it’s subsequent travels throughout Canada. Voyageur has been played by famous musicians like Colin James and Feist, as well as many talented local musicians at various festivals along the way. Indeed, some musicians performing at our event will have a chance to use the guitar on stage. For a lucky few, like Aengus Finnan & Mike Woods, it won’t be their first time.

Attendees at Estival! 09 will have the opportunity not only to chat with Jowi and view the guitar, but to actually hold and explore it. You can also have your digital portrait taken with Voyaguer (free) and that photo will be added to what we believe is Canada’s largest on-line photo gallery along with those of thousands of others Canadians. Truly an opportunity not to be missed.