Image Credit: Margit Sky Project / Facebook

By Dylana Kneeshaw

MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE

Kamloops music community to gather in memory of Rod Bandura

Jan 26, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — The arts and music community in Kamloops has lost a prominent member, with the recent passing of Rod Little Sky Bandura.

Bandura’s music career spanned decades, and among those who worked with the artist is Doug Perry, owner of Perry’s Recording Studio in downtown Kamloops. Perry describes Bandura as quiet at first, with a charismatic sense of humour — paired with a deep sense of loyalty to friends, and the art he created.

“Rod’s thing was to make a difference and support and help people with music,” Perry told CFJC Today.

Bandura’s guitar could be heard with various bands, recordings, and in performances with renowned acts across the country. Most recently, he played in the Margit Sky Project, blending the vocal and instrumental talents of Rod Little Sky Bandura and his wife Margit.

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“They had a magic on stage,” says Perry, who recorded all of the band’s songs over their time together, “because they had a magical relationship. It was a musical relationship but it was also a husband and wife relationship, and it translated on stage where Rod would start a song and Margit would just have to guess what it was. And the audience caught it, and they (Rod and Margit) laughed about it.”

The Margit Sky Project’s Music for the People concerts in Kamloops gained popularity by blending Bandura’s songwriting with traditional drumming, dancing and Kamloops Symphony players.

“That was a very powerful show. Both of them, the one at the (Tk’emlups Powwow) Arbour and the one at the Sagebrush were very powerful, very meaningful. And it came from Rod’s heart.”

Musicians in Kamloops will gather at the Blue Grotto on Sunday, February 4, starting at 7:00 p.m to perform, share food and memories of Bandura, and fundraise to support his wife and family.

A GoFundMe page has also been launched to gather funds in support of Bandura’s family.

“He’s just one of the most beautiful guitar players in town. The guitar, when he puts it on, is part of his body and his soul,” describes Perry. “When he was on a lunch break from delivering for Purolator, he was at home jamming on his guitar. He just, he lived for guitar and music.”

That music, now Bandura’s legacy.

“We can still hear him forever through his music,” adds Perry.