Pat Braden was three years old when his family moved to Yellowknife.
He has captured his life here, as a musician and northerner, in a suite of songs and spoken-word compositions that tell stories about the people and places he has known.
CBC Radio signed on sixty years ago in Cape Breton on November 1st. Now, six decades later, the station is throwing a musical party hosted by CBC hosts, Wendy Bergfeldt and Laurel Munroe. The musical guests will include J.P. Cormier, Molly Rankin, and the Cape Breton Fiddler's Association. Then the stage clears for CBC Radio 2's "Canada Live" featuring Grammy-winning songwriter, Gordie Sampson, who will perform songs from his new album "For The Few And Far Between". It's a slice of Cape Breton culture from the past, present and future to share on a special birthday.
It's been a long road back home to Cape Breton for Gordie Sampson. From the early beginnings as a performer and songwriter with the Sydney based pop/rock group "Real World" in the early 1990s, to writing hits for such artists as Faith Hill, George Canyon, Keith Urban, and Carrie Underwood.
Along the way he has released three solo albums and picked up numerous awards including the prestigious 2007 Grammy Award for "Best Country Song of the Year" and a Juno Award for "Songwriter of the Year" for his co-write, Jesus Take The Wheel.
On November 1, 2008 Gordie Sampson traveled from his home in Nashville to The Savoy Theater in Glace Bay to headline a concert to celebrate 60 years of CBC Radio on Cape Breton Island. A rare treat for both Gordie and an appreciative home town audience.
Both J.P. Cormier and Jerry Holland
have musical roots that run deep in Cape Breton, although both were born off
Island. J.P. was born in Ontario and moved to the south shore of Nova Scotia as
a youngster where he became immersed in bluegrass music.
Jerry
Holland was born and raised in Massachusetts. In his childhood, Jerry's father
exposed him to some of the last generation's greatest Cape Breton Scottish
fiddlers. Jerry first picked up the fiddle when he was five and within a year
he was performing publicly.
Jerry's family made annual summer visits to Cape Breton when he was a boy, and eventually, he made up his mind to move there in the fall of 1975.
Molly Rankin is a Cape Breton raised gal, hailing from the thriving "metropolis" of Hillsdale and is one of the new generation Island singer songwriters. With a rich musical background on her side, not surprisingly she picked up the fiddle at a very early age and hasn't looked back.
With a strong influence from her father, the late John Morris Rankin, she continues to write and perform across the Maritimes, with plans to record her debut solo album in the coming year.
The Gala de l'ADISQ-Prix Félix, named after Quebec legend Félix Leclerc, ia an annual awards gala celebrating the Quebec recording industry and its artists. For most Quebec artists from all musical genres, winning a Félix is as big a deal as a Juno!
This year's ceremony on Sunday, November 2nd, marks the 30th anniversary of this televised and hugely visible media blowout. On the eve of Félix night in Quebec, Canada Live searches its vast concert archives to bring you a sampling of some of the nominees.
The Gala de l'ADISQ-Prix Félix, named after Quebec legend Félix Leclerc, ia an annual awards gala celebrating the Quebec recording industry and its artists. For most Quebec artists from all musical genres, winning a Félix is as big a deal as a Juno!
This year's ceremony on Sunday, November 2nd, marks the 30th anniversary of this televised and hugely visible media blowout. On the eve of Félix night in Quebec, Canada Live searches its vast concert archives to bring you a sampling of some of the nominees.
One man band and blues-harmonica sensation Steve Marriner gives a powerful performance for the hometown crow
Look for this on CoD soon.
Don Thompson, Phil Dwyer, Terry Clarke & Jim Vivian on the final night of their cross-Canada tour in support of their latest CD "For Kenney Wheeler".
CBC's mics were in the Great Hall at the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden to bring you the Vancouver Chinese Music Ensemble's eclectic blend of popular and traditional Chinese music.
Rachmaninoff's greatest chamber work, his Sonata in G minor, Opus 19 is heard in a performance by cellist Amanda Forsyth and pianist Shoko Inoue.
A Virgin Music DVD about him is subtitled "A Natural Born Fiddler." Russian violinist Valery Sokolov is presented by the Vancouver Recital Society, (along with pianist David Fray) in Violin sonatas by Bach, Beethoven and Schumann.
Highlights from Mussorgsky’s Boris Godunov and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1.
Imagine it's summer and you're sitting under a big old tree in the shade of the midday sun, enjoying the warm breeze. It's almost perfect. Then a "new-fangled old-time original roots music" band named Plough takes the stage in front of you and their music fills the air. Now - it is perfect!
Canada Live was there, at that moment, to catch the sounds and bring it all back to you to enjoy.
Plough is formed by four young, but seasoned, players who each picked up new instruments in 2005, added their warm harmonies, and set down musical roots in the evolving Vancouver scene. Plough are Linda Bull on fiddle, banjo and vocals, Patrick Metzger on upright bass, guitar and vocals, Karla Mundy on banjo and vocals and James Scholl on guitar, upright bass and vocals.
The Gruff are hard to define. From old-time to Country, Bluegrass to good old Rock and Roll - and everything in between - these three young songwriters harmonize, sing and shout songs of joy, sorrow and the rest that life offers with infectious energy and passion. Canada Live caught up with the Gruff on a lazy summer Sunday afternoon on the Shady Grove Stage at the Mission Folk Music Festival.
Victoria's Four Chords of Wood mix ballads, blues, fiddle tunes, gospel and some foot to the floor ravers but most of all - great straight up Bluegrass.
Duo46 is a remarkable American violin and guitar duo from Arizona. Their repertoire is made up almost exclusively of contemporary music.
Fri 10 2008: Mayke Nas, Netherlands; Nicole Lizee, Canada; David Fennessy, Ireland
Sat 11 2008: Gundega Smite, Latvia; Damian Barbeler, Australia; Olga Jezkova, Czech Republic
Sun 12 2008: Ole-Henrik Moe, Norway; Dobromila Jaskot, Poland; Pawel Mykietyn, Poland; Daniel Bjarnason, Iceland
The musicians of Constantinople explore vocal polyphonies of the sacred and secular songs of Corsica, with their guests Barbara Furtuna.
Peter Gabriel, Led Zeppelin and Prince Charles are fans - and you will be too! In 1986, four music students at the prestigious St. Petersburg Conservatory were suffering from an overdose of Tchaikovsky. What did the Doktor prescribe? A drop of pop, a spoon of folk, an ounce of gypsy and a dash of classical seemed just the cure. Armed with their instruments and a zany sense of humour, the four musicians drank the concoction and formed the Terem Quartet. Over twenty years later, Terem Quartet has become a Russian phenomenon - as much a symbol of St. Petersburg as the Hermitage. Canada Live caught up with them in Toronto.
Moving between piano and laptop, John Kameel Farah conjures a musical world where contemporary classical, baroque stylings, improvisation, and experimental electronics can all comfortably co-exist.
The biggest festival of French-language song and music in the world featured Richard Séguin, as he closed his Quebec tour. Richard Séguin has the ability to fuse words, vocals and conviction to bring full-hearted humanity to every performance. He has the ability to cross the generational divide and bridge the linguistic gap.
"Sheefa Variations" is an electro-acoustic work by composer Zack Settel of Montreal. As Toronto's ARRAYMUSIC perform this composition, they move about the stage - hooked up to electronic devices monitoring their locations. A computer then process their sounds, depending on their locations. An interactive, electro-acoustic trip!
*Stephen Clarke - piano, *Anita McAlister - trumpet, *Peter Pavlovsky - double bass, *Rebecca van Der Post - violin, *Bob Stevenson - bass clarinet, *with special guest Trevor Tureski - percussion
Dynamic, intense pop music set to powerful & personal lyrics.
Samples, etheral vocals, turntables, and beats. Andrew McPherson heads up Eccodek whose sound can be driving, sometimes hypnotic and even mysterious - especially when paired with the Juno award-winning Kiran Ahluwalia's vocals. They're making a splash internationally and Canada Live has a performance from the 2008 Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
The Los Angeles Times called the virtuoso bassist Renaud Garcia-Fons "a bassist with astonishing technique" - and that's just for starters. For Garcia-Fons, his bass is but a medium for communicating musical ideas from his fertile mind. Get swept up in his journey that melds musical cultures and styles. A night of "virtuoso world-jazz" recorded at the 2008 Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
Celebrated Canadian guitarists Rene Lussier and Kevin Breit have played with everyone under the sun -- Rene as a film score composer and founder of label Ambiances Magnetiques in Quebec, and Kevin as sideman for k d Lang, Norah Jones, and his own projects - the Tallboys and Sisters Euclid. But Rene and Kevin had never played together until the Guelph Jazz Festival invited them in for a night of improvisational fun. Often surprising, frequently humourous and always masterful, Kevin Breit and Rene Lussier play a set of wild, on-the-spot tunes.
Montreal vocalist Susie Arioli has had a big year. This Routes Montreal session came on the heels of her most recent CD release - Night Lights.
Before this, she and guitarist Jordan Officer put out their first DVD, recorded during the Festival's 2006 edition under the title Live at Le Festival de Jazz de Montreal. In June of the same year, the DVD, together with a live CD, was certified Gold in Canada. A tremendous accomplishment for a jazz trio.
Tonight's Routes event features Jordan Officer along with one of Montreal's finest bassists - Bill Gossage.
Anna B sings in English, Spanish and Portuguese while weaving Roots, Brazilian, Bossa Nova and Mexican Mariachi into her own sound.
Jay Crocker is a multi-talented performer, arranger, composer producer and collaborator. This show celebrates the release of his new CD "Below the Ocean Over."
Trios by Haydn and Mendelssohn as well as a Canadian premiere by Heather Schmidt
Duos for cello and piano by Beethoven and Elliot Carter plus duos for cello and DJ by Tod Machover and Nicole Lizée.
Jully Black - performer, singer/songwriter, TV personality - burns up the stage at the Rose Theatre.
Bob Walsh surrounds himself with great musicians to play songs from his latest CD, "The Only Soul".
In this rare trio performance at Edmonton's intimate Yardbird Suite, Quitzau re-imagines songs from Charles Mingus, Bill Frisell and many from his own pen.
The Mike Plume Band charged across the country playing every stage available from the outset in 1993. However, by 2005, Mike went solo and the other members went off as the band, The Populars. Plume then moved between Nashville and Toronto, he got married, became a father and also put out a few solo CDs. The Populars toured Canada during this time. Then Mike Plume and the Populars decided to reunite for this show - it was one of the most eagerly anticipated gigs in town. The energy was not lost and indeed it was renewed on the stage at the Pawn Shop in Edmonton - and Canada Live was there to record!
Featuring a CBC Radio 2 commission by jazz composer Oliver Whitehead. He's written "Blue Scales quintet" for the unusual combination of violin, viola, cello, bass and piano, and it's all about exploring the influence of Jazz on classical music. It's from the "Music of Our Time" series at the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festval
Cuban-infected indie rock blends with adventurous Inuit throat singing.
Part blues band, part celtic, all energy, Canada Live caught up with Wheat in the Barley at the Rogue Folk Club this past November. Self describing themselves as a "world musical tour," the band makes pit-stops in Spain, North Africa, the Middle East and South America.
Danny Michel brings his "Tom Waits meets Cheap Trick" sound to the Mod Club in Toronto for the "Feather, Fur & Fin" CD release show.
The Sisters Euclid are easily one of Toronto's best kept secrets.
We're proud to present an evening of music from the Manito Ahbee Festival in Winnipeg. Held at the downtown pub, The Regal Beagle, you'll hear Juno nominated country singer, Donny Parenteau; country rock outfit, Highway 373; rocker Leanne Goose and up & coming singer/songwriter, Shyanne Hovorka. The evening will showcase the excitement and diversity of sounds that make Manito Ahbee one of the premiere Aboriginal events in North America.
Clarinettist Paul Bendzsa and guests in a concert inspired by the dreams, dances, traditions and spirituality of Jewish music. Paul Bendzsa, clairinet; Kirstina Szutor, piano; Nancy Dahn, violin; Scott Chancey, viola and Nathan Cook, cello.
Steve Dawson launches his new CD, an instrumental disc that showcases the pedal steel guitar.
This concert features a work by Robert Convery which incorporates touching poems written by Jewish children who were imprisoned during WW II.
Guitarist Jake Langley and his trio invite sax player Mike Allen to join them for a set of Langley's own compositions.
Hosted by the talented songwriter and uniquely entertaining Mike McDonald, the circle included Newfoundland breakout artists Chris Kirby, Mike Davis and Chris Picco plus the Juno Award winning Maureen Ennis.
Chinese sensation Lang Lang in a solo recital of music by Schubert, Debussy, Bartok and Chopin.
Holly Cole performs standards and originals with her new six-piece band at the Pantages Playhouse in Winnipeg.
Dominique Reynolds is a French Canadian Metis rock chanteuse. Her voice and fingers seek out pop hooks on the piano creating memorable melodies that will have you singing along.
"Doubling" is an improvisational work by composer Chris Paul Harman performed by Francois Houle, Eric Wilson, Corey Hamm, and Paolo Bortolussi "Coming Together" by composer Frederic Rzewski performed by Mark Beaty, Paolo Bortolussi, Marie-Claude Brunet, Ted Cole, Corey Hamm, Francois Houle, Rebecca Whitling, and Eric Wilson
"Aeriali" is an improvisational work composed & performed by Francois Houle & Keith Hamel
"Calm Like A Bomb" is composed by Jesper Nordin and performed by Rebecca Whitling
"Stillpoint" is composed by Jeffrey Ryan and performed by Paolo Bortolussi, Marie-Claude Brunet, Rebecca Whitling, Heidi Krutzen
The Tallboys are a Trio of musicians in and around Guelph who are know as much for their work as virtuoso individuals as they are for their highly spirited playing together. Drummer Jesse Stewart, guitarist Kevin Breit and cellist Matt Brubeck play off each other's strengths to create a vibrant set that moves smoothly between the composed and the improvised.
One of the world's finest francophone songwriters performs an intimate solo concert. Enjoy a dose of Dr. Tenderness.
Twenty-something Vancouver singer Alita Dupray allows you to feel the meaning of every word in a song. She has a rare voice that can soar high but can also wrap you in a smoky 2AM contralto. This recording from the CBC Studio One Jazz Series represents the first network radio coverage for an uncompromising young talent who, surprisingly, doesn't have a website or CD to trumpet her substantial talent.
Vocalist, pianist and composer Ivan Lins is a superstar in his native Brazil, most famous for his song "Magdalena." His bossa nova styles brought him worldwide attention in the 1970's and to this day he's adored by those who fell in love with his Brazilian rhythms. Most recently, he appeared on Michael Buble's album, Call Me Irresponsible. Appearing at the Centre as part of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Lins performs with a crack band and sings, among his most famous songs, "Love Dance." It's soft, sentimental, and atmospheric jazz. Light the candles, turn off the lights and make yourself a caipirinha.
Pinocchio. An adorable little puppet with the simple goal of becoming human? Or a selfish, aggressive character struggling with a complex web of morality? Find out, when New Brunswick's MOTION ENSEMBLE performs 'The Death and Lives of Pinocchio' by composer Ian Crutchley.
Secular Rotation: a principle of physics describing that which is not eternal - like the decaying rotation of a planet. New Brunswick's Motion Ensemble asked composer Michael Oesterle to write some music for them. Michael got thinking about the group's name: Motion Ensemble. Motion. Physics. Principles of motion. Secular Rotation. So Michael Oesterle wrote a musical work which begins with pulsing with energy, and decays over time. And on top of this, the voice of Helen Pridmore sings short snippits from the laws of physics
29 Jan broadcast: The crazy extremes of musical machines!
Composer Brian Harman got thinking about the modern-day relationship between humans and technology.
So in his work "Gregarious Machines" he uses two musical building-blocks, which he calls 'machines.'
One machine is subtle and quiet (woodwinds representing humans), the other abraisive and loud (strings representing technology).
How do these musical machines interact?
How has the use of technology affected our social habits?
How has our use of technology altered our consciousness?
Christian Tetzlaff is the soloist with the Toronto Symphony in a new dance-based work by Mark-Anthony Turnage.
Tenor superstar Ben Heppner helps his alma mater celebrate its 100th anniversary in this concert with the CBC Radio Orchestra, the UBC Choir, and conductor Alain Trudel.
CBC Radio One's À Propos celebrated its 20th season a the 20th edition of Les Francofolies de Montréal. For two decades now, host Jim Corcoran has invited listeners to tune in to CBC and discover the diversity and audacity of the francophone music scene. So both À Propos and Les FrancoFolies de Montréal's 20th anniversaries were celebrated with a special event. Featuring live performances by francophone artists of various horizons, unique collaborations between the guest musicians as well as special performances by Jim Corcoran himself. Hear Michel Rivard, Karkwa, Marie-Jo Thério, Jérôme Minière, René Lussier, Marie-Pierre Fournier, Geneviève Paris, Bernard Falaise and other surprise guests. This was an unforgettable evening in celebration of 20 years of À Propos featuring the very best from the French-speaking popular music scene.
Art Napoleon may be a musician, but he's also a wonderful storyteller. The Victoria, B.C. musician gave a performance at CBC Vancouver's Studio 40 rife with northern Cree humour and stories that perfectly illustrated his spirit-filled music.
Art says some people describe his music as "bush country blues". One thing is for sure, Art's November 13th concert entertained the studio audience so much, they got up danced.
Tonight on The Signal, we're diving into the "Festival Suoni per il popolo" in Montreal. This festival is now a big event in the Montreal's musical life, and tonight we're going to hear one of the highlights of the festival: The Nels cline Singers. This band is a unique collaboration of the sonically creative and highly acclaimed guitarist Nels cline, drummer Scott Amendola and bassist Devin Hoff. Hear what they whip up in this dynamic but intimate concert, tonight on The Signal with Laurie Brown.
Daniel Lanois brings his extraordinary songs and famous studio 'sonics' to an unforgettable live concert.
Young piano sensation Stewart Goodyear joins the WSO in Mozart's magnificent Piano Concerto No. 22.
Although he's categorically Canadian, Montreal-based Maritime-born singer-songwriter Rob Lutes' souful songs sung with his characteristic sandpaper grit voice has earned him high recognition in the Americana music scene.
With full band, Rob performed just one week after the release of his latest CD "Truth & Fiction" - at the Cultural Centre in Pointe aux Trembles, Quebec.
"Sheefa Variations" is an electro-acoustic work by composer Zack Settel of Montreal. As Toronto's ARRAYMUSIC perform this composition, they move about the stage - hooked up to electronic devices monitoring their locations. A computer then process their sounds, depending on their locations. An interactive, electro-acoustic trip!
*Stephen Clarke - piano, *Anita McAlister - trumpet, *Peter Pavlovsky - double bass, *Rebecca van Der Post - violin, *Bob Stevenson - bass clarinet, *with special guest Trevor Tureski - percussion
Since 1974, the Dixie Flyers have been entertaining audiences across Canada and the U.S. with their original blend of bluegrass music.
An evening of jazz standards and Canadian jazz great Phil Dwyer's own compositions.
The young piano sensation Stewart Goodyear joins the WSO in Mozart's magnificent Piano Concerto No.22. Beethoven's Symphony No.7 is another highlight. The eminent Swiss conductor, Matthias Bamert conducts.
Alberta boys the Valleau brothers (Jason & Sheldon) are the heart and funny bone of the Polyjesters. With their brand new disc, Kitchen Radio, hot in their hands - there was no better place for the release than close to home in Didsbury. They were rock stars in their hometown, filling up the local recreation centre with Mom & Dad, Aunts, Uncles, local fans, friends and even a handful of kids. They blended a wonderful mix of ka-chunk style jazz with ukulele, percussion and guitar. Their website sums the Polyjesters up perfectly -- "they play everything from Billie Holiday to the Beatles...from old swing standards to alternative country".
Hailing from Toronto, Ohbijou is a seven-piece outfit that uses an impressive array of instruments and delicate vocal harmonies to create beautifully lush pop songs. The origin of the band can be traced back to the bedroom of singer/songwriter Casey Mecija, where she began timidly showing her songs to little sister Jennifer. The two grew into seven, and in 2006, independently released their debut CD, Swift Feet For Troubling Times, to rave reviews.
This concert was recorded at Wild Bill's Legendary Saloon in Banff - part of the Indie Band Workshop at the Banff Centre.
Since the release of his debut album, "An Impeccable Shine", JR Shore and his band, The Jury, have taken their music to many of Alberta's liveliest listening rooms. A multiple award winner at Calgary Folk Music Festival's Songwriter Competition, Shore continues to establish his place alongside Alberta's finest songsmiths.
This masterfully-performed concert, live at The Music Gallery in Toronto, features the Montreal-based Transmission ensemble playing works by Pierre Boulez (Dérive), Iannis Xenakis (Plekto), Tristan Murail (13 couleurs du soleil couchant), Georges Aperghis (Quatre pieces fébriles) and Claude Vivier (Paramirabo).
CBC Radio Orchestra and conductor Alain Trudel mark the end of 70 years of broadcasts in this farewell performance.
To commemorate the life and music of jazz legend, Oscar Peterson, Winnipeg pianist and band leader Ron Paley has assembled a trio consisting of two former members of Oscar Peterson's group: bassist Dave Young and drummer Terry Clarke.
Pinchas Zukerman leads his National Arts Centre Orchestra in the first concert in a series showcasing Brahms' Symphonies No. 1 to 4 and the Violin Concerto.
The NACO Brahms Series opened their new 2008-2009 season with great success. The series was already a box office hit weeks before the first concert even took place. The concert series showcased Brahms' Symphonies No. 1 to 4 and the Brahms Violin Concerto, Op. 77.
One of the highlights of NACO's Brahms series: Zubin Mehta conducts his life-long friend Pinchas Zukerman in the Brahms Violin Concerto.
The NACO Brahms Series opened their new 2008-2009 season with great success. The series was already a box office hit weeks before the first concert even took place. The concert series showcased Brahms' Symphonies No. 1 to 4 and the Brahms Violin Concerto, Op. 77.
Canada is home to many of the world's great percussionists, representing an extraordinary diversity of heritage and traditions that has spawned one of the most innovative musical landscapes anywhere in the world. Cool Drummings celebrates the richness and creativity of this landscape, drawing together dazzling ensembles and soloists from around the globe.
David Martel performs music from his debut CD "I Hardly Knew Me".
Paul Shrofel and Cameron Wallis left Winnipeg for points east, years ago, to study jazz at McGill University in Montreal. Like many others before them, they decided to stay in Quebec to make their living as full time musicians. These two musicians have been playing together since high school and have kept up the friendship and musical partnership over the years. Although Paul and Cameron have since returned to their home town on occasion - this concert was like a homecoming and a chance to show their fans, friends and family what they've been up to over the last decade. The concert took place in the Muriel Richardson Auditorium in the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Joining them was another former Winnipegger who now makes his home in Toronto - trombonist Kelsley Grant, as well as bassist Steve Kirby and drummer Curtis Nowosad.
Mozambique-born Canadian Casimiro Nhussi leads NafroBand's smooth, percussive groove.
This festival workshop, called "Sacred Sunday Morning", features Jim Byrnes, the Warrior Gospel Band, the Sojourners and John Boutte. It took place at a time when people are off to church for Sunday services and joyfully melds two soulful gospel groups under the leadership of Jim Byrnes with special guest, John Boutte.
Highly acclaimed singer/songwriter, Eleni Mandell, might just be one of California's best-kept secrets. Eleni has been named Songwriter of the Year, twice, by the L.A. Weekly. Her sixth album, "Miracle Of Five", was praised by the critics in the US, Canada and Europe. She's definitely a romantic, but with a bit of a punk edge and a flair for all things French. She loves Quebec and an ever-growing fan base here loves her back. Hear her in concert in Montreal with her band, playing a packed house at the Lion d'Or.
Dynamic, intense pop music set to powerful & personal lyrics.
Bharath and His Rhythm Four play Old-school sepia-sounding Chicago style blues with real conviction and fire.
Party on with Puro Son at the 2008 Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
New Works Calgary launches their 25th anniversary season with a program of music from Canada and the Ukraine.
A high energy electro-acoustic blend of traditional sounds from North India, Ireland, Jamaica, Africa and beyond with cutting edge dance rhythms and DJ aesthetics.
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald writes and performs beautiful, acoustic songs that show the influence of Ben Harper, Jack Johnson and Marvin Gaye.
Steven Page sings his favourite pop songs in fresh new arrangements created by innovators from the worlds of pop, jazz & classical music.
The Canadian songwriter extraordinaire returns to Massey Hall following the release of his latest album, Exit Strategy of the Soul.
Composed or Improvised? An impeccably-played suite from three musicians at the Guelph Jazz Festival blurs the lines as British bassist Barry Guy, Swiss violinist Maya Homburger and Canada's own Jeff Reilly on bass clarinet bring together experiences that range from baroque repertoire to freewheeling jazz. Hear compositions by Reilly, Guy and H.I.F. Biber - living, pulsing chamber music.
Thirteen year-old Jan Lisiecki has won more competitions and played with more orchestras than most musicians three times his age. This Chopin recital demonstrates why.
Cape Breton fiddler Natalie MacMaster returns to her East Coast roots for a foot-stomping, two-night 25th anniversary celebration with Symphony Nova Scotia.
Andrew Wan - featured in SAIC's Next! series - performs the Khachaturian violin concerto with the NSO.
In mid August 2006 - Doug Cox, Salil Bhatt and Ramkumar Mishra gathered in a rural location near Edmonton to record an album which would immediately draw much attention and praise from around the world. Guitar Player Magazine didn't hesitate to call the recording a "stunning, groundbreaking marriage of the blues and Indian classical music". This fusion is a true musical mosaic, reflecting the cultural connection between East and West. Hear this live concert recording of the very first tour of Slide To Freedom.
Gordie Tentrees of Whitehorse has performed some 200 shows a year, either solo or with his band. He writes his own songs, plays a guitar, uses a slide, and blows a harmonica. In this concert, Gordie performs roots-blues with a 2nd guitarist and an upright bassist.
Namgar is a folk music group led by Namgar Lhasaranova, who hails from South Siberia. Namgar also includes musicians from Mongolia. Their repertoire consists of the songs and melodies shared by Buryats and Mongolians, from the songs of shamanist gatherings of Siberia to celebration songs you might hear at a midsummer festival in Mongolia, to exquisite melodies from Inner Mongolia.
The New Forms Festival takes place in Vancouver in early September. This year they brought together two local bands who love to chart new musical territory, Fond of Tigers and Secret Mommy.
DK Ibomeka offers his own interpretations from the classic songbook on his new recording called "I'm Your Man".
Founding member of Edmonton alt-country darlings, Old Reliable, Shuyler Jansen's musical centre shares the same territory as Waylon Jennings and Billy Joe Shaver. After 4 highly acclaimed discs with the band, his debut solo album "Hobotron", incorporates acoustic intruments along with loops, drum machines and synthesizers - to create a new palate for his songs of love and loss. His latest release, "Today's Remains", finds Jansen back with guitar in hand and a more traditional approach.
Ayla led the alt-country-with-a-modern-vibe trio of AA Sound System through two releases. Of his own accord, he is a solid songwriter and guitar player. His first solo effort breathes with the confidence of a solo performer, while embellished with the talents of a core of side players. Growing up in the middle of Saskatchewan gives a young man a lot of time to consider life from a different perspective.
Multi instrumentalist, Shawn "Swifty" Jonasson spent many years as the sax-playing sideman in a variety of blues acts before leading his own band back to the roots of his musical tastes - country. With Jonasson's vocals and guitar front and centre, there's a commanding authenticity which flows from the lilt and twang of a Swiftys disc. Their influences - such as Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Steve Earle - are balanced equally by their individual sound. Jonasson was also a member of the much revered Edmonton alt-country band, Old Reliable.
The Vancouver Recital Society presents Russian–born, British–trained violinist Alina Ibragimova, who is making waves as a BBC New Generation Artist. She is joined by French pianist Cedric Tiberghien, who divides his time between a solo career and performing chamber music. They are heard performing works of Karol Szymanowski, who was born in the part of Poland that lies in present day Ukraine.
Karina Gauvin, Marie-Nicole Lemieux and Michael McMahon perform Debussy • Fauré • Hahn • Schumann. More
Reiner Trio; Jonathan Crow, violin; Elizabeth Dolin, cello; Paul Stewart, piano and friends
The extraordinary Polish contralto Ewa Podles his featured with pianist Garrick ohlsson in a recital for the Musical Club of Quebec, performing songs of Tchaikovksy and Rachmaninoff.
Voices are raised both at home and abroad this week. Three Canadian performers took part in a recent concert by the Orchestre national de France, celebrating the 400th anniversary of Quebec City. Contralto Marie Nicole Lemieux is heard in songs of Duparc, and pianist Alain Lefevre performs a Piano Concerto by André Mathieu, conducted by Jean-Philippe Tremblay.
Soprano Erin Wall and baritone Philip torre join the CPO for a program of Strauss and Mahler.
k.d. lang in an intimate club setting performing songs from her new album Watershed.
This was a one-time only reunion concert of Integrity - a group of six dynamic female Gospel singers.
The group formed twelve years ago and had a short life span. Joel S. Chambers, the keyboard and Musical Director for the group, asked the ladies to reunite upon his return from a stint in the U.S. They consented and the result was a truly remarkable concert.
The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir reunite to help the Hillside Fesitval celebrate 25 years.
Canadian violinist Yi-Jia Susanne Hou performs with her cousin Elaine Hou, in a program of Mozart, Strauss, Sarasate and more.
Celso Machado is a beloved west coast world music artist. This guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer is a kind of musical chameleon who is also valuable as a side man on other people's projects. When you get him solo, or with his trio, his Brazilian roots really pour out of his hands and voice. This is acoustic Brazilian-Canadian music at its best. The Celso Machado Trio was recorded at the Mission Folk Festival in July of 2008.
Pacifika was recently named one of "Revelation-SRC" and Espace Musique's top world music acts. The Vancouver based group is making a new kind of global pop, music that nods to its diverse international influences, while forging its own unique voice. Jazz infused and Latin tinged, marked by gently flowing melodies, deep grooves, waves of cracking percussion and the occasional burst of exhilarating guitar noise - Pacifika's comfortable, complex sound defies categories, creating soothing soundscapes held together by Silvana Kane's smooth, intimate vocals.
Michael Ondaatje, Justin Rutledge and others join Art of Time Ensemble for an evening of literature inspired by music and music inspired by literature.
2008 marked the 100th anniversary of St. Boniface, the hub of Franco-Manitoban culture. To celebrate, CBC Radio 2 paired up with local French radio to present a retrospective of the last 100 years of music made in St. Boniface.
Trio Capuçon gave their debut concert at the Vancouver Playhouse for The Friends of Chamber Music on Nov. 25. The trio gave an all Brahms evening as evidence of their wonderful ensemble style, precision and musical insight. Trio Capuçon is not to be missed!
When Dean McNeill isn't working as the head of the music department at the University of Saskatchewan, performing with the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra or leading Saskatoon's Metro Jazz Ensemble - he finds the time to hone his skills as a trumpet player and composer...and be a dad to a toddler. This year Dean released a CD where he performed with jazz pianist Jon Ballantyne and classical pianist Bonnie Nicholson. In this concert we'll hear Dean playing both trumpet and flugelhorn on some of his jazz favourites as well as an original composition. He's joined by guitarist Jack Semple, Carlo Petrovitch on bass and drummer Arlan Kopp.
Karin Plato grew up in Alsask, Saskatchewan. (Yep, you guessed it... right on the Alberta-Saskatchewan border...). While Saskatchewan might not seem the most likely place for someone to blossom into the fantastic jazz vocalist Karin is today, Karin was introduced to some of the great jazz vocalists of the 20th century during her time as a music student at the University of Saskatchewan. Her passion for that music slowly grew. Karin has made her home in Vancouver for the last 20 years or so, but whenever she comes back to Saskatchewan she says it feels like a homecoming. For this concert, Karin is joined by the fabulous John Roney Trio from Montreal, with John on piano, Remi-Jean Leblanc on bass and drummer Martin Auguste.
Students of the Newfoundland and Labrador Music Teachers' Association perform Canadian music to celebrate Canada Music Week.
Pinocchio. An adorable little puppet with the simple goal of becoming human? Or a selfish, aggressive character struggling with a complex web of morality? Find out, when New Brunswick's MOTION ENSEMBLE performs 'The Death and Lives of Pinocchio' by composer Ian Crutchley.
Secular Rotation: a principle of physics describing that which is not eternal - like the decaying rotation of a planet. New Brunswick's Motion Ensemble asked composer Michael Oesterle to write some music for them. Michael got thinking about the group's name: Motion Ensemble. Motion. Physics. Principles of motion. Secular Rotation. So Michael Oesterle wrote a musical work which begins with pulsing with energy, and decays over time. And on top of this, the voice of Helen Pridmore sings short snippits from the laws of physics
Formerly of the Vancouver indie pop outfit Mother Mother, Debra-Jean is branching out as a band leader on this occasion. She wrote some songs of her own, and borrowed others from friends such as Dustin Bentall. Her voice has an impact that comes from somewhere very deep, very honest, that alternately draws you in and catches you off-guard with its directness. Recorded as part of the "Mother Tongues" Series in CBC Studio 40.
Six fabulous artists - all of whom call or called Ottawa home - pay tribute to that city's greatest pop-rock success, Alanis Morissette. The Mighty Popo and Q The Romantic Revoluntionary team up on a stinging rendition of "Knees Of My Bees". World class soprano, Donna Brown, and Peter Tiefenbach will pull you in on "Uninvited". And local indie darlings, Amos The Transparent, take Alanis' most famous song and turn its passionate angst into a tender, fragile tune about a broken heart. Those are just a few of the stellar performances you'lll hear.
Alanis Morissette comes home for Canadian Thanksgiving to the National Arts Centre in Ottawa.
"Sheefa Variations" is an electro-acoustic work by composer Zack Settel of Montreal. As Toronto's ARRAYMUSIC perform this composition, they move about the stage - hooked up to electronic devices monitoring their locations. A computer then process their sounds, depending on their locations. An interactive, electro-acoustic trip!
*Stephen Clarke - piano, *Anita McAlister - trumpet, *Peter Pavlovsky - double bass, *Rebecca van Der Post - violin, *Bob Stevenson - bass clarinet, *with special guest Trevor Tureski - percussion
In front of a capacity crowd at the Queen Alexandra Community Hall a few blocks south of Edmonton's fames Old Strathcona district, Rob Heath presented his latest CD "One More Day Above Ground".
For this concert, the songwriter who considers himself foremost a storyteller was joined by a band especially put together for the occasion: guitarrist Gord Matthews, bass player Kirby Green and drummer Kim Glanville.
The Once (Geraldine Hollett, Phil Churchill, Andrew Dale) invite you to a Christmas house party in St. John's. The trio applies their smart arrangements and velvet harmonies to seasonal favourites as diverse as "The Mummers Song" and "Fairytale of New York".
Spiritus Chamber Choir perform a capella works about light, warmth, sleep and birth.
Stars in a homecoming concert for a soldout crowd play music from their latest EP release 'Sad Robots' and more.
Toronto-born, modern jazz vocalist, Yvette Tollar celebrates the release of her new CD, "Ima". Yvette's rich and highly expressive voice is unique on the Canadian jazz scene and proves the perfect vehicle for this collection of Canadian songs.
Live at the Gould welcomed Juno Award winner Melanie Doane and special guests as they celebrated the release of her new album "A Thousand Nights".
Achieving number one on the Billboard Emerging Canadian Artist chart wasn't bad for a band who released their debut album this spring. Toronto based Crash Parallel came out of the gate strong with the release of "World We Know" and hit the road running. Their debut single and title track delivers an influential eco-conscious message with inspiring lyrics challenging people to take action to protect our world.
The Kramdens are a five-piece band from Guelph, Ontario who have been making music together for 18 years. They have a new, self-titled CD out and in it, they explore new territory both musically and emotionally. This recording was from the Hillside Festival in Guelph, Ontario.
The Women's Blues Revue has been delivering an eclectic mix of the best female vocalists since its beginnings in the small clubs of Toronto. Now an annual event at Massey Hall, this year's spotlight artists are Alana Bridgewater, Lily Frost, Little Miss Higgins, ShoShona Kish, Elizabeth Shepherd and Suzie Vinnick.
The first family of Alberta Folk music celebrate
the season each year with a concert of jigs and carols. The yearly festivity is fast becoming a
holiday tradition for many Edmonton concert goers. Siblings, Shannon Johnson, Solon McDade and Jeremiah McDade are
joined by their father Terry McDade and friends John Newton and Simon Marion
for a variety of yuletide favourites, some decades and some centuries old.
The
musical family and friends lit up the Arden Theatre with laughter and song.
A JUNO nominated folk artist, Edmonton's Maria Dunn has the ability to write songs that sound like they landed on our shores with the early immigrants from Great Britain. But the stories they tell are of the love, hardship and heroism that are found within a distinctly Canadian narrative.
Peter Hum is a journalist by day and a pianist by night. Nathan Cepelinski is a 20-year-old saxophonist and composer. This concert features both of these emerging jazz artists from Ottawa.
Every year, for nine days in October, the Celtic Colours Festival attracts tens of thousands of visitors to Cape Breton Island and features hundreds of musicians. Communities all around Cape Breton Island host their concerts and events - places like the local fire hall, parish hall or community centre. This year, Ashley MacIsaac was a featured performer. He has performed at Carnegie Hall six times, opened for Sting at a May Day concert in Rome, played in Australia at the Melbourne Opera House, at BAM in Brooklyn, New York, in Shanghai, China and most recently at the Luminato Festival in Toronto. Aside from counless live performances over the years, Ashley has appeared in several movies, and has had a few documentaries made on his life. Ashley even has tried his hand at federal politics. Hear one of the greats, on his home turf.
Gillian Boucher started touring the world at just 15 - first as a featured performer at Green Linnet's 20th Anniversary Gala in New York, and then throughout North America, Scotland, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia. She has shared the stage with the likes of Emmylou Harris, Solas, Natalie MacMaster, Cappercaillie, The Battlefield Band, Tom Paxton and many other performers.
Groundbreaking Scottish mavericks Shooglenifty push the word 'traditional' to its limits with their unique blend of dance vibes and roots music. Genuinely genre defying, they have been described as everything from "acid croft" to "hypnofolkadelia".
CBC Radio Orchestra and conductor Alain Trudel mark the end of 70 years of broadcasts in this farewell performance.
Although little-known in English speaking countries, Léo Ferré is a monument of French chanson. Along with Georges Brassens and Jacques Brel he is considered one of the greatest composers and writers of French song. Now 15 years after his death, Italian vocalist Gianmaria Testa and pianist Roberto Cipelli have put together an evening dedicated to his memory. Tonight's concert from the Festival International de Montreal features jazz interpretations of Ferré's best loved tunes. Accompanying them are Attilio Zanchi on bass; drummer Philippe Garcia; and virtuoso trumpetter Paolo Fresu.
Bassist Michel Donato has been a fixture on the Montreal jazz scene for 50 years. This year, the Festival International de Montreal honoured Donato by presenting him in two concerts. Tonight's performance was entitled ' 50 Years of Double Bass' and brought together a number of outstanding Quebec musicians he's been associated with over the years starting with vocalist Karen Young; and included pianists James Gelfand, François Bourassa; and sax players Yannick Rieu and André Leroux. It was recorded at the acoustically perfect Gésu in downtown Montreal.