Bio

“You know the Blues, it makes me feel alright,” sings Ottawa-based folk rock and blues multi-instrumentalist Spencer Scharf.

“A fantastic musician with a great repertoire of songs…usually travelling with about a dozen different instruments, he never fails to put on a show.” – Aerik Clinton Watson, Renfrew Concert in the Park

The one-man band has done hundreds of solo shows, captivating audiences with expressive fingerstyle guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, keyboard, harmonica and smooth tenor vocals. Inspired by the powerful guitar tones of Neil Young and Leo Kottke, his genre-crossing style also has the upbeat optimism of bluegrass picking and driven celtic strumming.

AJ Sauvé, RBC Bluesfest’s Director of Media Relations called him “an absolute genius” and he’s been invited time and again to Ottawa Bluesfest and CityFolk festivals.

Always a force on his instruments, it was his 3rd album, I Can’t Hide (2014), that began Spencer’s road as a songwriter. Working with Juno award winner Lynn Miles, he followed that with his 2017 album Times of Change:

“Spencer’s songwriting is evocative, his singing is filled with emotion…his originality and artistry shines through…I hear how big his heart is and how deep his groove is when he sings about ‘playing songs on refuse people can reuse.’” – Adrian Matte, Ottawa-based musician & educator

His latest release, 2020’s The Other Side, is a reflection of the unusual times we’re in, with its emotional highs, lows, and optimism for the future. His music is featured regularly on FM radio stations CKCU, CANOE, Valley Heritage, and Amherst Island.

Spencer also gives lessons on all the instruments he plays & vocals in the Ottawa area – including 6 & 12 string acoustic guitar, dobro (slide guitar), 8 string baritone guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, guitalele, piano / keyboard & harmonica.

To book Spencer for gigs, private events, house concerts or lessons, or send him a message, email him at spencer@spencerscharf.com, or visit the Contact Page

Past Events

Sep 2023

Date/Time Event
Sep 30, 2023
4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Calabogie Brewing Co.
Calabogie Brewing Co. – Calabogie, Calabogie Ontario
Sep 30, 2023
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Cobden Farmer's Market
Cobden Fairgrounds, Cobden Ontario
Sep 29, 2023
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Gan Brewing Co.
Gan Brewing Company, Gananoque Ontario
Sep 28, 2023
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Stonewater Pub
The Stonewater Pub, Gananoque Ontario
Sep 24, 2023
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Music Sunday @ Finkel's Shore Park
Finkel’s Shore Park, Bath Ontario
Sep 23, 2023
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Keystorm Pub - Brockville
The Keystorm Pub, Brockville Ontario
Sep 23, 2023
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
North Gower Farmer's Market
North Gower Community Center, North Gower Ontario
Sep 22, 2023
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Locks at Perth
The Locks at Perth, Perth Ontario
Sep 20, 2023
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Broadway Bar & Grill
Broadway Bar & Grill, Nepean Ontario
Sep 17, 2023
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Vibration Studios - Coffee House Sunday
Vibration Studios, Osgoode Ontario
Sep 16, 2023
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Lumbertown Ale House
Lumbertown Ale House, Arnprior Ontario
Sep 15, 2023
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Royal Oak - Blair @ Pineview
Royal Oak – Blair at Pineview, Ottawa Ontario
Sep 07, 2023
8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Stonewater Pub
The Stonewater Pub, Gananoque Ontario
Sep 03, 2023
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Pickerel Bay Lodge
Pickerel Bay Lodge – White Lake, White Lake Ontario
Sep 02, 2023
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Saunders Farm - The CiderHouse
Saunders Farm, Munster Ontario
1 2 3 4 5 6 7