Pop

Emm Gryner is an acclaimed singer, songwriter, vocal coach and occasional CBC radio host. She has been nominated three times for a Juno Award, twice for Pop Album of The Year. Emm toured the world with David Bowie, and appears on the recordings "Bowie at The Beeb" and "Glastonbury 2000”. In 2013, Emm collaborated with astronaut Chris Hadfield on his version of “Space Oddity” recorded partially aboard the International Space Station. The Hadfield-Gryner version has received over 200 million views worldwide and is celebrated as the first music video recorded in outer space.

Fortunate Ones is Newfoundland’s JUNO-nominated duo Catherine Allan and Andrew James O’Brien. Known for dynamic live performances, effortless union of voices in harmony, and anthemic melodies – they embody a wide-eyed energy, deliver messages of reflection and optimism, have an earnest mission for connection, and are endearing audiences across Canada and beyond. Their songs celebrate coming of age, ambition, decisions we make to persevere, and the resilience of the human spirit.

Their sophomore album, HOLD FAST, is a study in resilience and community and sees the duo stretching their musical muscles into new, fully realized sonic territory. Filled with the familiar and effortless harmony, boundless energy and optimism that has gained the duo thousands of fans, HOLD FAST, produced by ECMA award winning producer, Daniel Ledwell, is a collective effort that has yielded songs from a pair whose humility and quiet dignity belies a roaring artistic heart.

The title track “Hold Fast” hit #1 on the CBC Music Top 20 Chart and remained in the Top 20 for 10 weeks. The album also took home three Music NL Awards in 2018: Pop Artist of the Year, Video of the Year for Northern Star (directed by Jason Levangie) and Album of the Year. HOLD FAST was recently nominated for four East Coast Music Awards: Album, Group Recording, Songwriter, and Fans’ Choice Entertainer of the Year.

Their 2015 debut album, The Bliss was nominated for a JUNO Award, garnered two #1 singles on CBC Radio 2’s Top 20, won the 2016 “Rising Star” ECMA, the 2015 “Vocal Group” Canadian Folk Music Award, and four 2015 Music Newfoundland and Labrador Awards.

From the streets of Toronto brings the newest addition to the R&B contemporary music scene, the young and talented Heather Russell.

At age 10, she moved from her Toronto home to Los Angeles, California under a major record deal with Simon Cowell. Yearning to be more than a pop star, Heather decided to leave and create something wonderful of her own.

Today, Heather is excited to share her music with the world, representing the underground art scene through her gifted vocals, passion for piano, and upcoming projects.

Dan Shafer was a contestant on Season 11 of The Voice and competed on Team Blake.

Dan was in several bands in his youth but put music on the backburner to support his family. In the late '80s, Dan found a way to balance both worlds when he became a jingle man. He has written jingles for Transformers Gen 2, Aliens 3 the voice and Space Marines, BC Powder, Matchbox Lightning Key Cars, Pizza Hut We Deliver, Bryans Hot Dogs, Vintage Gourmet Ice Cream, Bealls Dept Stores, Coors, New England Telephone, and many more.

Music once again took a backseat when his son Jamie was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and needed emergency surgery. During that time, Dan got a job in the funeral business to pay the medical bills. He currently gigs with a cover group called Classic Rock All Stars around Nashville and throughout Tennessee.

CREDITS:

• Invited to Private Audition for NBC The Voice
• Asked to perform Private Audition for NBC Executives LA
• Passed Blind Auditions NBC The Voice *Televised / Team Blake Shelton
• Battle Round with Sundance Head *Televised / Bette Midler
• "Marry Me" over 2.8 Million YouTube Views
• "Feel Like Making Love" over 2.2 Million Views

NATIONAL TELEVISION COMMERCIALS Sang on:
• Transformers (Robots In Disguise) Gen 2
• Aliens 3 The Motion Picture Space Marines
• BC Powder • Matchbox Lightning Key Cars
• Pizza Hut We Deliver
• Coors
• Coors Light
• New England Telephone

Sang with and shared the stage with:
• Carmine Appice (Vanilla Fudge, Ozzie Osborne, Rod Stewart)
• Vinnie Appice ( Ronnie James Dio)
• Dolly Parton
• Artimus Pyle (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
• Jon Wysocki (Staind)
• Kent Wells (Dolly Parton, Reba,)
• Jack White (Rick Springfield, Tina Turner, Redbone)
• Paul Warren (Rod Stewart, Tina Turner, Joe Cocker, Richard Marx)
• Troy Luccketta (Tesla)
• Sandy Gennaro (Joan Jett, Cyndi Lauper, Pat Travers)
• Derek St Holmes (Ted Nugent)
• Kenny Olson (Kid Rock)
• Steve Hunter (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed)

CELEBRITY QUOTES:
"You are the best male singers to come along in a while!" — Kent Wells (Producer, Dolly Parton)

“You know Dan, you sounded so young to me. Like a 19, 20, 21 year old Vocalist. You are what I love about the Voice. This guy’s got an amazing voice, I’m so glad I hit my button!!” — Blake Shelton

“57 year old Dan Shafer travel across the country to Los Angeles to appear on the Voice. After years of singing jingles, Dan stepped out on the stage and blew me away with Trains “Marry Me”. His cover gave me chills and he sounded better than some of the male Artists on top 40 radio ” — Jakes Takes, Hollywood Insider

“I’m so happy for Dan. He is an image of hope for everyone, to never give up on your dreams, never ever, ever!!!” — Miley Cyrus

“Dan you have a very honest, genuine way of delivering your music. I love how you owned your space!!” — Alicia Keys

LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS!!!

I AM KING – The Michael Jackson Experience is as close as you will get to seeing the King of Pop live in concert!

Featuring Michael Jackson tribute artists who can sing LIVE while mastering the intense dancing that Jackson was so famous for, I AM KING takes the audience on a musical and visual journey into the world of the KING OF POP.

The creators of I AM KING have put together an incredible cast of talented musicians and Broadway and Las Vegas dancers to bring Jackson to life in an explosion of unmatched energetic perfection.

I AM KING features amazing renditions of Jackson’s biggest hits including “Bad”,”Billie Jean”, “Thriller”, “Man in the Mirror”, “Human Nature” and many more.

LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS!!!

I AM KING – The Michael Jackson Experience is as close as you will get to seeing the King of Pop live in concert!

Featuring Michael Jackson tribute artists who can sing LIVE while mastering the intense dancing that Jackson was so famous for, I AM KING takes the audience on a musical and visual journey into the world of the KING OF POP.

The creators of I AM KING have put together an incredible cast of talented musicians and Broadway and Las Vegas dancers to bring Jackson to life in an explosion of unmatched energetic perfection.

I AM KING features amazing renditions of Jackson’s biggest hits including “Bad”,”Billie Jean”, “Thriller”, “Man in the Mirror”, “Human Nature” and many more.

Madison Violet has suddenly appeared like a ray of sunshine on a rainy day."

                                                             - No Depression

"ABBA Magic!" features outstanding musical performances that celebrate all of ABBA's top hits, combined with dazzling 1970's style costumes and choreography. This fun-filled, audience-interactive performance will have you singing along (and maybe even dancing in the aisles!), to all your ABBA favourites, including "Mama Mia", "Knowing Me, Knowing You" , "SOS", "Waterloo" and of course, "Dancing Queen" amongst the many classics. Dust off your 1970's dancing shoes, and get your tickets today!

Join Ellen Doty and her trio to celebrate the launch of her sophomore album, "Come Fall" in London. Ellen Doty is a soulful Canadian vocalist and songwriter with a world-class voice. Her music incorporates everything from jazz to soul, folk, pop and indie music: a sound that is uniquely hers. A true storyteller whose works are as intimate and as personal as their handwritten lyrics, Ellen's immense talent for songwriting is only complemented by her stunning vocals. Originally from Okotoks, AB, she currently makes her home in Calgary.

Her debut album Gold reached the top ten on the college jazz radio charts in Canada, and she followed up the release with a crowd-funded, self-booked 40 stop Canadian tour. In the past year, Doty has continued to tour extensively in Canada. She had the opportunity to open for two-time Grammy-winner Gregory Porter, and recently completed a concert theatre tour with award-winning saxophonist Eli Bennett from Vancouver. Doty was recently named one of the top 35 under 35 jazz artists in Canada by CBC Music along with BadBadNotGood, Larnell Lewis, Nikki Yanosky, and more: With an honesty and warmth that sets her apart from so many artists, Doty is an emerging Canadian talent who is clearly one to watch for 2017 and beyond.

Doty signed a record deal with Toronto-based label Alma Records, and her new album will come out on Universal Music in Canada on March 2nd, 2018 with a Canadian tour to follow. On the tour, she will be joined by Edmonton-born Efa Etoroma (Moonchild) on drums, and pianist Eric Haynes from Montreal (Busty and the Bass). The new album features solely the sounds of the trio: voice, piano, and drums. It seeks to strip the music down to its bare bones, in a powerful minimalist approach.

Laila Biali is an award-winning Canadian pianist & vocalist – and now weekly radio host (“Saturday Night Jazz,” 8 p.m. to midnight on CBC Radio 2) – who continues to garner global recognition for her performances at prestigious venues like the North Sea Jazz Festival (The Netherlands), Tokyo’s Cotton Club, and New York’s Carnegie Hall.  Over the past couple of years, she has toured with Grammy winners Chris Botti, Paula Cole and Suzanne Vega.  Also, she has recorded with and supported music icon Sting, who raved, “Laila is an exciting and unique talent and I admire her greatly.”

But for all her artistic brilliance and string of critical accolades, it’s Laila’s affinity for seeking inspiration in human relationships that most defines this highly admired artist. These special qualities were recognized by Toronto pianist Ron Davis, who described Laila as “a spiritually deep and beautiful soul,” adding “and this shows in her music."

A TD Sunfest standout over many years, Laila returns to London on March 1st to celebrate the release of her new follow-up album of genre-bending originals and covers (songs by David Bowie, Coldplay and Randy Newman).  Debuting at #1 on iTunes Jazz Canada, and #7 on iTunes Jazz USA, this eponymous recording further expands upon Laila’s unique “ability to meld traditional jazz with contemporary pop so effortlessly that neither style seems out of place on the same record” (Spinner Magazine).

Catchy, sophisticated, and unlike anything currently on the radio, it’s pop music, but not the kind that can be neatly tagged by an algorithm. Melodies take thrilling left turns and pre-choruses give way to instrumental interludes. One minute, Biali is soaring over a bluesy storm of handclaps and hard-charging keyboard riffs (“Got to Love”);  the next, she is pouring out her soul on an impassioned, slow-burning plea for empathy (“Refugee”). It’s pop music, but the experimental, distinctly human variety popularized by Regina Spektor, Rachael Yamagata and Sara Bareilles.  And it’s more improvisatory and spontaneous than House of Many Rooms. “We’ve brought the jazz back in, in a more meaningful way,” Laila says.