Arsen Shomakhov is an electric blues performer truly dedicated to the style’s roots yet never hesitating to borrow means of expression from other genres. He established himself as a blues-devoted virtuoso musician in his native Russia, making it to the International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis in 2005 and winning the new talent contest at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, AR in 2007. After moving to Vancouver, B.C. in 2008, Arsen formed the Arsen Shomakhov Trio that currently features Bruce O’Neill on bass and Chip Hart on drums. Working hard to make a name for himself and the Trio, he has performed at a variety of festivals across the US and Canada including: The King Biscuit Blues Festival, Waterfront Blues Festival, Edmonton’s Labatt Blues Festival, Montreal International Blues Festivals, and the Calgary International Blues Festival, to name a few.