JC Sol Our Groove

Fri Aug 25, 2023

They say good things come to those wait and great things come to those wait a little longer and for soulful singer/ songwriter JC Sol the wait is over. Her time to shine has arrived and her new single "Our Groove ( Re-Mix)" is her boarding pass.

Check out “Our Groove” on YouTube here:

Save the Date for the 8th Annual Kensington Market Jazz Festival in Toronto

Fri Aug 18 2023
Kensington Market Jazz Festival

Mark your calendars and get ready to swing into a world of mesmerizing melodies and soulful rhythms at the much anticipated Kensington Market Jazz Festival. Returning to the heart of Toronto's eclectic Kensington Market, this year's festival promises to be an unforgettable celebration of jazz in all its vibrant forms.

Whether you're a seasoned jazz aficionado or just looking to groove to some captivating tunes, the Kensington Market Jazz Festival has something for everyone.

Born and raised in Kensington Market, founder, organizer, singer-songwriter, and philanthropist Molly Johnson O.C., has been proud to showcase hundreds of established musicians on the Toronto jazz scene since the festival’s start in 2017, in one of the city's most vibrant neighbourhoods, in the heart of Toronto's heritage district. Over the last seven events, KMJF has presented hundreds of concerts featuring hundreds of Toronto’s jazz musicians, in local venues and with the help of over 150 volunteers.

David Pomeranz Signs an Exclusive Worldwide Publishing Administration Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell

Fri Aug 18 2023
David Pomeranz

Multi Platinum Award-Winning Songwriter/ Recording Artist, David Pomeranz, known for writing his extraordinary songs for scores of artists like Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Freddie Mercury, Richie Sambora, Danny Gokey, Kenny Rogers, The Hollies, Clay Aiken, Dennis De Young (of Styx), Phoebe Snow, Billy Dean, Lea Salonga, The Carpenters, Glen Campbell, John Denver, The Muppets, Donna Summer and Missy Elliott, has just signed an exclusive Worldwide Publishing Administration deal with Warner Chappell and is thrilled about re-establishing his long-time association with the Company. 

David Pomeranz  is an American singer, composer, lyricist, and writer for musical theater. He is also an ambassador for Operation Smile.

Whitney Lyman – There is No Rule !

Fri Aug 18, 2023

Some people say that life is a party and part of the reason for that is a desire to live life to the fullest. In her newest single, "There Is No Rule", Los Angeles-based pop singer Whitney Lyman encourages listeners to have fun while doing whatever makes them happy.

Whitney Lyman There is No Rule"There is No Rule" is the first single off Lyman’s upcoming album Love Spell, slated for an early 2024 release.

Production wise and lyrically, the song has influences that are reminiscent of Pink's "God Is A DJ". The song opens with a funky bass groove as Lyman sings and urges the listener to stoke their inner fire and do whatever they want.

Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/artist/1MzNpVibtGcQre2vdJEpLs

Janne Schaffer – The Legend Continues

Fri Aug 04, 2023

In Conversation: Spike Festival’s Boyan Pinter with Janne Schaffer, one of Sweden’s most prominent and in-demand session musicians, talks solo career, ABBA, and finds his musical voice amidst a diverse range of influences and collaborations.

Janne Schaffer Receives Award From the King of Sweden
Janne Schaffer Receives Award From the King of Sweden

We caught up with the celebrated guitarist, songwriter, and composer on his day off from a long tour. Reclining in his garden, he shared with us the story of how he got started as a guitarist, his career in music: from a session player to an artist in his own right, and his friendship and collaboration with many of Sweden’s greatest artists, including ABBA, Björn J:son Lindh, and the famed Ted Gärdestad.

Lennart Ostlund Goes West to Mars

Fri Jul 28, 2023

Long ago in a land far away, musical magic was being created. The long ago was the 1970s, the faraway was Sweden and the musical magic was created at Polar Studios in Stockholm.

Polar Studios was a recording studio in Stockholm, Sweden, which operated from 1978 through 2004 and was formed by ABBA musicians Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson and the band's manager Stig Andersson and housed, the band's Polar Music recording label.

Lennart Ostlund Behind the Board
Lennart Ostlund Behind the Board

The studio was used to record each of the last three ABBA albums, Voulez-Vous, Super Trouper, and The Visitors, as well as their two non-LP singles "The Day Before You Came" and "Under Attack". Following the demise of ABBA, all members of the group continued using the studio to record their solo projects.

Malin Östh Band Set to Award Jazz Scholarship in Rinkaby, Sweden

Fri Jul 21 2023
Malin Östh Band

The Åhus-based Malin Östh Band has had performance after performance 

sold out during their gigs through Skåne.

Kiviks Hotell, Café Årum, Jazz Club Blue Bird, Vinterlust, Borgen in Osby 

and Kristianstads Teaterförening are some of the venues in the local area 

that have taken part in the band's performances.

The band was formed in autumn 2018 and plays swing and jazz.

In their diversified repertoire they cover Alice Babs, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, 

Stacey Kent, Barbara Streisand, Rigmor Gustafsson, Lisa Nilsson and Sonya 

Hedenbratt to name a few. Malin Östh Band performs these versions with passion and fervor.

Check them out on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/KmglHh6LgD4

The Canadians Are Coming

Fri Jul 21 2023
Barry Stagg

Look out Rinkaby, Sweden, the Canadians are coming! They say good things come in threes and this summer three seasoned Canadian recording artists are setting sail for Sweden to prove that axiom true.

Canadian-born Lisa Hartt, Barry Stagg and Don Graham are packing their stories, songs and six strings and heading across the sea to hit the stages at the Lilla By Festival in Rinkaby on the Baltic Sea. This is the 3rd year of this festival, founded and produced by Jonas Tancred and Malin Östh, both performers in the successful Swedish duo Bara Jonson and Free.

Don Graham performed at last year’s 3rd Annual Lilly By Festivalen and it will be the first time for Hartt and Stagg to experience the magic of the “little festival” by the bay. This is Don’s second year playing at the event and he is thrilled to be joined stages this year with both Lisa and Barry who has known for most of his early musical career days in Canada.

Long Island’s Xondra Unleashes Genre-Defying Magic with New Single 'Like You Used To'

Fri Jul 21 2023
Xondra

Xondra, a.k.a. Alexondra O'Connell, the Long Island-based singer, releases her genre-fusing single, "Like You Used To." Check it out on YouTube here: 
Listen on Spotify here: open.spotify.com/track/4aAwwwX4PX0jeLWjnY7j3c?si=004063fc96d44e72&nd=1

An electric guitar walk of a smooth rhythm eases the listener into their silky lyrics.

"Well, well, well, well. You've been hiding from yourself, and everybody here can tell, so you might as well give up your spot. Well, Well, Well, l Well, I've been honest from the start, now I watch us fall apart. Your hand grasped my heart, and I want you to have it."

The longing beat showcases a failing relationship, perhaps an unrequited love affair or one dwindling in quality. Xondra longs for the day the song's subject treats her how they used to, despite their newfound strange behavior.

"You don't touch me like you used to," she admits in front of an accented drumbeat.

Live At The Phoenix Concert Theatre - Rough Trade September 29/Michel Pagliaro September 30

Fri Jul 21 2023
Rough Trade

In honour if Rock of Fame Induction

On September 28th, Rough Trade will be honoured at Canada’s Rock of Fame Induction, as part of a once in a lifetime celebration of the most influential rock legends from the 70’s and 80’s. 13 of Canada’s most coveted bands and artists will be honoured as part of Canada’s Walk of Fame 25th anniversary celebrations. 

To mark this very special occasion, The Phoenix Concert Theatre welcomes Rough Trade in concert, on Friday, September 29th, presented by boom 97.3. The evening will feature Rough Trade as well as many special guests, including Hawksley Workman and Chilina Kennedy. 

Rough Trade was formed in Toronto in 1974 by multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples and vocalist Carole Pope. Known for their openly sexual songs and burlesque theatricality of their live performances, Rough Trade was one of the first mainstream musical acts to include explicitly gay and lesbian references. They were groundbreaking and trailblazing, empowering generations to express their sexuality and love regardless of their orientation. 

Sultans Of String And Crystal Shawanda Collaborate On New Single Close To Her Heart “The Rez”

Fri Jul 21 2023
Sultans Of String

“The Rez” is a collaboration between 2x JUNO Award winning blues and country music artist Crystal Shawanda and 3x JUNO nominated, 6x CFMA winning Sultans of String. Crystal is an Ojibwe Potawatomi Indigenous singer, born in Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, is also decorated with multiple Aboriginal People’s Choice Awards, Canadian Aboriginal Music Awards, a CCMA, a Canadian Radio Music Award, and too many JUNO nominations to list.

Watch and listen to this beautiful piece of music here on YouTube here:

Meet the Diversified and Talented David Rix

Fri Jul 21 2023
David Rix

David comes from career, he has worked as a director, actor, singer, musical artist, screenwriter and more.

In 2012, he directed Emil's production of The Sound of Music, a collaboration that has continued ever since. The Phantom of the Opera is his ninth musical sitting in the director's chair. David has also been on stage in most of the Entertainment Patrol's productions at KristianstadsTeater, most recently in School of Rock. He is also very current with Kristianstad, Sweden and is a multitasker in culture.

In his diversified his participation in Kabaret Kulan at Vinbäcken this summer.

This year will be his second year of being featured at the Lilla By Festivalen in Sweden. The festival has been gaining notoriety this year for a host of legendary and talented people.

instagram.com/davidlrix/?hl=en

For more visit:
lillabyfestivalen.se

CNE’s 2023 Bandshell Concert Line-Up Revealed: From Bollywood, to Celebrating 50 Years of Hip Hop, and More Pink Floyd!

Fri Jul 21 2023
CNE BANDSHELL

Music festival season is in full swing in Ontario, and the signature event to cap off the summer has just announced its 17-day concert line-up. The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) has revealed its 2023 Bandshell headliners including new music from platinum-selling powerhouse Amanda Marshall, nine-time JUNO winning artist Jann Arden, Bollywood music icon Shafqat Amanat Ali, legendary reggae songstress Marcia Griffiths, singer-songwriter William Prince, and fellow country superstar Brett Kissel. Six-time GRAMMY-winner Dionne Warwick will headline on Saturday, August 19, to delight fans on the only Canadian stop along her North American Tour this summer.

The 10th Anniversary of South Coast Jazz August 11-12-13, 2023

Fri Jul 21, 2023

The festival is expanding into the Sanderson Center for the Performing Arts 1100 seat theatre in Brantford for their main event concerts. Buy tickets for Saturday Aug 12 on southcoastjazz.com or direct from the Sanderson Center.

The festival has multiple venues, a diverse line-up and is very accessible for everyone. This includes our affordable prices! Note: FRIDAY and SUNDAY are CASH ONLY EVENTS.

The Canadian Country Music Association® Unveils The Nominees For The 2023 CCMA Awards

Fri Jul 14 2023
CCMA Awards

On July 13, 2023, the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) unveiled the nominees for the 2023 CCMA Awards presented by TD. Returning to Hamilton for the seventh time, Country Music Week 2023 and the 2023 CCMA Awards presented By TD offer fans the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close to their favourite artists in one place, while showcasing and celebrating some of country music’s biggest stars and homegrown talent. Winners will be announced on September 16 as the 2023 CCMA Awards presented by TD are broadcast live from Hamilton’s FirstOntario Centre at 8 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on CTV, CTV.ca, and the CTV app.

Awa Niagara Festival August 26 + 27, 2023 Features Afrobeat Music, Dance and More In Queenston, Niagara-On-The-Lake

Fri Jul 14 2023
AWA NIAGARA FESTIVAL

The 3rd edition of the AWA Niagara Festival 2023, presented by the African Women Acting (AWA) organization, celebrates African Cultural Heritage and special guest artists. The annual festival presents talented, hard-working, resilient artists, who demonstrate tremendous effort in pursuing their artistic visions and careers. The festival offers a full day, family-friendly program, with an action-packed schedule including professionally curated arts and crafts exhibitions, interactive African Djembe drumming workshops for all ages, dance, music, delicious authentic African and Canadian food, and vendors, all in one stunning site in celebration of the best of African and Canadian Music, artisans, and vendors.

Artists Roster  - August 26th

African Drum Circle -  Mohammed Diary Khadim Mbegue
Afrobeat Music/Dance - DJ Moussa
Alternative/Contemporary Music by J.A.S
Native Artist - Esther Jane Willow
RnB - Kyla Wheeler
RnB/Soul Music - Shake Street (Rob Leclerc)
Afrobeat - Exclusive Connection FT Tolu
African Drumming - Mohammed Diaby & Khadim  

CANADA’S ROCK OF FAME – The Largest-Ever ‘Mega’ Induction of Canadian Music Icons

Fri Jul 14, 2023

A Once-In-A-Lifetime Celebration where 13 of the Most Influential Rock Legends from the ‘70s and ‘80s will be in attendance for their induction into Canada’s Walk of Fame

April Wine
Chilliwack

Glass Tiger
Lee Aaron
Lighthouse
Loverboy
Max Webster
Michel Pagliaro
Platinum Blonde
PRISM
Rough Trade
The Parachute Club
Trooper

Thursday, September 28 at Toronto’s Massey Hall -- the first of two induction ceremonies in 2023 as part of Canada’s Walk of Fame’s 25th anniversary celebrations

Presenters, Performers and Special Guests will be Announced in the Coming Weeks!

Tickets for “Canada’s Rock of Fame” On Sale Friday, July 14 at 10 a.m. ET.

What Showcase To Choose?

Fri Jul 07 2023
Peter Åstedt

Showcases are popping up like mushrooms in the world. I think I wrote about the subject a year ago and said that each country now has its own showcase festival. I correct that most countries now have three or four showcase festivals. In the end, they are too many, like I said on a panel on one of them recently and people gasp.

There are definitely too many of them and with this many, you can as an artist start to pick the ones that are needed for your career.

Dean Brody To Be Honoured With CCMA Award Of Achievement As The 2023 Recipient Of The Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award

Fri Jul 07 2023
Dean Brody

The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) Board of Directors and the CCMA are proud to announce Dean Brody as the 2023 recipient of the Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award, honouring the multiple CCMA Award winner for his remarkable achievements across numerous initiatives through The Dean Brody Foundation. Awarded annually, the Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award recognizes an individual(s) and/or event(s) that have made an outstanding contribution of time and energy in the support of humanitarian causes through country music.

Brody Will Be Celebrated For The Remarkable Achievements Of The Dean Brody Foundation During Country Music Week 2023, September 14-16 In Hamilton, Ontario. 

Iconic Artists from Canada and Sweden to Celebrate Legendary Artist Ted Gärdestad

Fri Jul 07, 2023

Rarely Seen Footage of Sweden’s icon Ted Gärdestad and Canada’s Treasure Lisa Hartt Resurfaces

Ted Gärdestad
Ted Gärdestad

No stranger to success, and the challenges of mental health and wellness that come with being in the spotlight, Lisa Hartt was recently asked to perform in Rinkaby, Sweden for the Lilla By Festivalen, a small boutique festival nestled in a family friendly setting. As well, Lisa will appear on a panel as an Ambassador for the Drive Foundation Canada to discuss mental wellness in the music industry.