This coming weekend the fourth edition of Maspalomas Costa Canaria Soul Festival, will be held from July 27 to 29 down on the San Agustín beachfront, in the touristed southern municipality of San Bartolome de Tirajana. This soulful event has been consolidated, in its own right, as one of the most important summer music events in the Canary Islands. Thousands of spectators attend every year, since it’s auspicious beginnings in 2015, to become a wildly popular, free and family friendly event. This festival is the only one of its kind held in Spain dedicated to live swing, soul, funk and international R & B and was created by DD&Company Producciones under the auspices of Porretta Soul Festival, held every year in Italy, and has the backing of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana town Council, which organises and sponsors the event.

The poster for the 2018 edition, which will maintain its successful formula of two nights of concerts, morning workshops and DJ sessions, features the veteran American singer Spencer Wiggins, who will be one of the highlights of this fourth edition.

 

Wiggins Brothers: Percy and Spencer
Photo : Porretta

Spencer Wiggins
Born in 1942 in Memphis (Tennessee) into a family in which gospel music was very present, this American singer is one of the great representatives of what has come to be called “deep soul”. His career began in the early 60’s, when he began singing in clubs in his hometown. His first single, Lover’s Crime, was released in 1964. He has shared the stage with stars like Ray Charles, Johnny Taylor, Jackie Wilson and even the incomparable Elvis Presley.

Established in Miami at the beginning of the seventies, he devoted himself completely to gospel, especially to the direction of choirs. His continued prominence is in part thanks to the fact that in 2006 some of his works, universally acclaimed by critics, having been reissued and performed by singers previously unknown to soul. In his most recent performances, on stages around the world, he has been accompanied by his brother Percy who, of course, will also be performing on the sands of San Agustin.

Spencer Wiggins will add his name to glittering star turns from the likes of Earl Thomas, Willie Walker, Terrie Odabi, Bobby Rush Derek Martin, Stan Mosley & Theo Huff, Toni Green, Falisa Janaye, Bey Paule Band, Chick Rodgers, David Hudson, Sweet Nectar and the inimitable Sax Gordon,