5 nights a week from 7 to 8, CBC Radio 2 listeners will be transported to concert halls, music clubs and festival stages across the country for live performances from the best Canadian artists. Host Andrew Craig is on the move, bringing you concerts from well-known artists and up and comers. Canada Live presents a broad range of music: singer songwriter, roots, blues, jazz, pop, world and everything in between.
Andrew Craig
Andrew Craig is a Toronto-based multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, director, composer, broadcaster and impresario, working in multiple musical genres, and collaborating with artists in other disciplines. He has worked with a diverse range of musical artists, including Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Measha Bruggergosman, Ashley MacIsaac and Wynton Marsalis, award-winning playwrights Djanet Sears and Marion Caffey, and dance ensembles such as Dance Immersion.
Andrew Musical Directed Harbourfront's tribute to Quincy Jones, and has twice performed for Nelson Mandela. He was nominated in the category of "Pianist/Keyboardist of the Year" in both the 2006 and 2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards.
Andrew also works as a host and producer with CBC. For 2 1/2 years, Andrew hosted CBC Radio Two's "In Performance", the network's flagship Classical concerts program. He is now the Toronto Region Host and Associate Producer for the successor to "In Performance", called "Canada Live".
In the area of television, Andrew hosted both the 2006 and 2007 Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame galas, which aired on CBC Television and Radio, and which honoured Canadian greats Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Jean-Pierre Ferland and Gilles Vigneault, among others. In 2007, CBC Television aired Season One of "Triple Sensation", a reality series that searches for Canada's finest young actor who can sing and dance. "Triple Sensation" received critical and public acclaim, and Andrew served as the show's inaugural host.
Andrew created, Musical Directed and co-produced "A Gospel Christmas Celebration" for CBC Radio and Television in December 2006. Both programs were re-broadcast the following year, and the television version received both a Gemini nomination, and a Bronze World Medal at the New York Festivals (one of the world's most prestigious media competitions).
He also produced the CD version of the special, called "The Gospel Christmas Project", for CBC Records.
Andrew recently made his orchestral conducting debut, performing "The Gospel Christmas Project - LIVE!" with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. The show minus orchestra had its premiere performance at Massey Hall in December 2007. Both performances had the press and audiences raving.
As an impresario, Andrew has twice presented a full-scale tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire. He also created and produced a highly-successful Valentine's show in 2004 and 2008, called "Celebrate Love".
Andrew has been commissioned to compose the soundtrack to the upcoming documentary on the life of former Ontario Lieutenant-General Lincoln Alexander, produced for OMNI Television. The documentary will have its premiere in 2008.
Andrew Craig is the former Co-Chair of the Music Committee of the Toronto Arts Council, and is currently a member of the Advisory Council for the Faculty of Fine Arts at York University, and the Programming Committee of Toronto's Young Centre for the Performing Arts.
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Available Episodes:
Canada Live Podcast Episodes
Canada Live Podcast
Frazey Ford performs songs inspired by her childhood and recent motherhood for a welcoming crowd at Le Petit Campus in Montreal.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Frazey Ford
Kathleen Edwards premieres her new album "Voyageur" with the help of some special guests in intimate Studio 211 in Toronto.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Kathleen Edwards
Singer-songwriter Doug Paisley performs his heartfelt songs at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Doug Paisley
Roots-rock band Elliott Brood blows the roof off the packed and raucous Republik Nightclub in Calgary.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Elliott Brood
Michael Kaeshammer performs his catchy blend of boogie-woogie, pop, and jazz at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Michael Kaeshammer
Join three Canadian indie acts under the mistletoe. Hey Ocean, Hilary Grist, and Mother Mother perform holiday favourites and some brand new Christmas tunes in CBC Vancouver's Studio 40.
Right Click to download MP3 version: A Canadian Indie Christmas
Roots-rock supergroup Blackie and the Rodeo Kings are joined by special guests Janiva Magness and Serena Ryder at the 2011 Edmonton Folk Music Festival.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Blackie and The Rodeo Kings
Alt-country band Cuff the Duke -- considered by some to be the heir apparent to Blue Rodeo -- rocks the crowd at The Exchange in Regina.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Cuff the Duke
Musical (and life) partners Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland join forces to create a brand-new band. Whitehorse rocks the crowd at Le Petit Campus in Montreal.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Whitehorse
Matthew Barber performs his heartfelt songs for a packed house at the Palomino in Calgary.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Matthew Barber
Ohbijou proves that music can be both melancholic and uplifting in this CD release concert from Trinity St. Paul Church in Toronto.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Ohbijou
City and Colour, featuring Dallas Green's distinctive voice and mournful lyrics, rocks the crowd at the 2011 Calgary Folk Music Festival.
Right Click to download MP3 version: City and Colour
Leeroy Stagger offers up his musical influences, while he and his band give it all they've got at the Haven Social Club in Edmonton, Alberta.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Leeroy Stagger
Oh Susanna sings her sweet, enchanting tunes for an appreciative audience at the Palomino Club in Calgary.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Oh Susanna
Alan Doyle (from Great Big Sea), Kim Stockwood, John Mann (from Spirit of the West), and Matthew Barber come together to tell stories and play acoustic versions of their tunes at Jackson-Triggs Amphitheatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Rootstock 2011 Songwriters Circle
Jason Collett (of Broken Social Scene fame) strips down his songs and performs solo to an intimate crowd at the Haven Social Club in Edmonton.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Jason Collett
Eclectic, intriguing, ear-catching -- Mark Berube brings his band, the Patriotic Few, and their unique style to the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Mark Berube
Dan Mangan brought his 11-piece band to Studio 40 in CBC Vancouver for an exclusive concert featuring music from his new album, Oh Fortune.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Dan Mangan
Sam Roberts Band rocks a sold-out crowd in their inaugural headliner show at Toronto's legendary Massey Hall.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Sam Roberts Band
Folk-pop troubadour Jeremy Fisher plays his catchy tunes for an adoring crowd at La Sala Rossa in Montreal.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Jeremy Fisher
Singer-songwriter Geneviève Toupin shares her beautiful voice and heartfelt songs with the audience at the Segal Centre in Montreal.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Geneviève Toupin
Jim Bryson teams up with Winnipeg's The Weakerthans for this concert, featuring tunes from their recent collaboration, The Falcon Lake Incident.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Jim Bryson and the Weakerthans
Long-time sideman Kim Dunn steps into the spotlight, playing his own tunes for an appreciative crowd in Studio H, CBC Halifax.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Kim Dunn
The Sheepdogs, winners of Rolling Stone's "Choose the Cover Contest," rock out for a hometown crowd at Louis Pub in Saskatoon.
Right Click to download MP3 version: The Sheepdogs
Sigur Ros + Hank Williams = singer-songwriter Leif Vollebekk, recorded at the Segal Centre in Montreal.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Leif Vollebekk
Kyrie Kristmanson brings her unique blend of jazz, folk, and medieval music to the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield, Quebec.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Kyrie Kristmanson
Ray Bonneville performs his easygoing, funky blues at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Ray Bonneville
Jazz singer and pianist Laila Biali brings her fresh sound to Festival Place in Sherwood Park, Alberta.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Laila Biali
High-engergy traditional music with a twist, performed by Quebec's De Temps Antan.
Right Click to download MP3 version: De Temps Antan
Roots music masters Harry Manx and David Lindley join forces and slide guitars at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Harry Manx and David Lindley
In this final special NXNE edition of the Canada Live podcast, Bruce Peninsula bring their foot-stomping, hand-clapping revival rock to the Rivoli in Toronto.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Bruce Peninsula @ NXNE
In this fourth special NXNE edition of the Canada Live podcast, longtime Joel Plaskett sideman Peter Elkas steps out into the spotlight at the Rivoli in Toronto.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Peter Elkas @ NXNE
In this third special NXNE edition of the Canada Live podcast, modern pop meets glam rock with Sweet Thing, recorded at the Rivoli in Toronto.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Sweet Thing @ NXNE
In this second special NXNE edition of the Canada Live podcast, Imaginary Cities rocks the Rivoli in Toronto with catchy, funky tunes.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Imaginary Cities @ NXNE
In this special NXNE edition of the Canada Live podcast, Montreal's Bobby Bazini brings his soul-blues-country sound to the Rivoli in Toronto.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Bobby Bazini @ NXNE
Indie rockers Plants and Animals turn their amps up to 11 at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield, Quebec.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Plants and Animals
Sultry-voiced chanteuse Jill Barber enthralls the audience in CBC Vancouver's studio 40 with her jazz-inflected tunes.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Jill Barber
Mope no more! Jenn Grant brings her new upbeat, catchy tunes to the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Jenn Grant
Royal Wood shows off his singing and songwriting talents in this concert recorded at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Royal Wood
"Band practice with an audience" -- that's what indie band Said the Whale called this intimate show at China Cloud in Vancouver.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Said the Whale
Colin James plays an intimate acoustic show at The Studio in Hamilton, Ontario.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Colin James
The Beauties bring their rocking, gritty brand of roots music to Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern.
Right Click to download MP3 version: The Beauties
Great Big Sea turn the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton into one giant kitchen party.
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Singer-songwriter Danny Michel brings his new reggae/soul/Afrobeat-inspired tunes to Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto -- with full band!
Right Click to download MP3 version: Danny Michel
Ruth Moody joins forces with her brother and sisters to perform her sweet, rootsy tunes at the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Ruth Moody
Singer-songwriter Justin Rutledge performs songs inspired by Michael Ondaatje's play "Divisadero" in this concert from the National Arts Centre Studio in Ottawa.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Justin Rutledge
K'naan, Maestro Fresh Wes, and Shad were just three of the past, present and future Canadian hip hop all-stars who teamed up for CBC's historic Hip Hop Summit at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Hip Hop Summit
Johnny Reid, Sylvia Tyson, Randy Bachman, and Luke Doucet share the stage at Massey Hall in Toronto as part of the 2011 Juno Songwriters Circle.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Juno Songwriters Circle part 2
Johnny Reid, Lynn Miles, Royal Wood, and Dan Hill share the stage at Massey Hall in Toronto as part of the 2011 Juno Songwriters Circle.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Juno Songwriters Circle part 1
Singer-songwriter Catherine MacLellan and her band drop by CBC Radio Studio H in Halifax for an intimate sampling of some new songs.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Catherine MacLellan
Country rocker Luke Doucet and his band The White Falcon play a hometown show at the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg.
Right Click to download MP3 version: Luke Doucet
