Music

Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue' are one of the UK’s premier, Big Band Blues sounds...

Bring together the Big Band Swing of The Brian Setzer Orchestra, blend it with the Texas Blues of Jimmie Vaughan and throw in a few other influences from artists such as B.B.King, Ray Charles, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band and you'll get an idea of the sound that Ruzz Guitar's Blues Revue put out!

They have opened for, and shared the stage with, many well-known artists such as Andy Fairweather Low, Dr Feelgood, Innes Sibun (Robert Plant/The Innes Sibun Blues Explosion), Jon Amor (The Hoax), Pete Gage (Dr Feelgood), Kirk Fletcher (The Fabulous Thunderbirds/Joe Bonamassa/Solo), The BlockHeads (Ian Dury & The Blockheads), Bill Kirchen, Darrel Higham (Imelda May/Jeff Beck/Solo), Kid Ramos (James Harman/The Fabulous Thunderbirds) and Junior Watson.

They have self-released four albums and released one with Rhythm Bomb Records, all of which have amassed multiple plays on multiple independent and internet radio stations around the globe including “Hank’s Americana Radio” and 90.1 FM KPFT “Howlin’ The Blues” broadcasting out of Houston Texas, BBC Radio Wales during Adam Walton’s “BBC Introducing” Show, BBC Radio Wiltshire during Sue Davies’ show broadcasting from the UK and Banks Radio Australia to name a few.

The 2018 album release (“The Heist” – November 2018) features special guests Pete Gage (The Jet Harris Band/Dr Feelgood/Solo) & Tommy Harkenrider (from USA), received rave reviews and reached number 25 in the IBBA 2018 Top 50 album chart. 2020 saw the release of their “Live at the Louisiana” (February 2020) and “The Instrumental Sounds Of…” (December 2020) albums.

They have played all over the UK and had very successful tours of Europe and the USA.

Ruzz has also been honoured by being officially endorsed by Gretsch Guitars (September 2016). In March 2017, he was made the “Featured Guitarist” on the official website for Gretsch Guitars (www.gretsch.com)

PROGRAM

"Janne Mertanen is a unique voice in the sea of pianistic talent in this world.  His interpretations have original perspectives, amplified by stunning virtuosic technique,  inspiring spontaneity and masterful musicianship.  A Sony Classical Artist, his recordings of Chopin and Sibelius present a rare pianistic lyricism and stylistic integrity.  Currently recording the complete works of Chopin, the program for London will include Chopin and music from Finland.  We are thrilled to bring Janne from Finland to gift London with a rare opportunity to hear his live music in Canada.  This concert is not to be missed!”

Clark Bryan, Executive and Artistic Director, The Aeolian

Pianist Janne Mertanen studied at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where his teachers included Erik T. Tawastjerna and Dmitri Baskirov. He then completed his studies with Lazar Berman at the Accademia Pianistica in Imola, Italy.

Mertanen came to the attention of the wider musical public in 1992 with a win in the International Chopin Competition in Darmstadt, Germany. In the same year he won the first price also in the Nyborg Nordic Competition. Janne Mertanen has had orchestra engagements in South America, Asia and in Europe. In March 2010 he made his South American debut as the soloist of the Schumann Piano Concerto with the Orchestra of the National Theater of Brazil conducted by Ira Levine. In 2014 he made his soloist debut in Japan with Tokyo New City Orchestra. Recital appearances have taken him around most of the European countries, Canada, America, Australia and Asia. He made his debut at the Wigmore Hall in London in October 1994 with a programme of works by Chopin.  

Janne Mertanen was selected as the Young Artist of the 1st Espoo International Piano Festival in May 1991. Mertanen´s first recording Chopin Recital was released in 1994 by Finlandia Records (Warner).  Chopin Nocturnes vol. 1-2 (Alba Records), were awarded in The 6th International Record Competition Grand Prix Du Disque Frédérick Chopin 2005 in Warsaw October 2005. His album Chopin Piano Concertos was released in February 2008 (ABCD 247). In 2010 Mertanen published a recording of Piano Works of Sibelius and a recording of Nino Rota´s Piano Concertos (with Tampere Philharmonic, cond. Hannu Lintu). In 2011 was published a recording of Chopin´s works for piano and orchestra with Turku Filharmonic (cond. Jani Telaranta). Recording of Grieg and Schumann Piano Concertos with Gävle Symphony Orchestra (cond. Hannu Koivula) was released in 2013. Janne Mertanen is the Artistic Director of Joensuu Music Festival. He is a Steinway Artist.

Two years after renowned painter Tom Thomson’s mysterious death, his friend, his mentor and his lover gather to share memories of Canada's most famous artist. But did any of them really know the man? Through their diverging songs and stories, a new portrait of an iconic Canadian emerges.

Featuring spectacular high-definition imagery of Tom Thomson and Group of 7 artworks from the Art Gallery of Ontario, unforgettable characters and a rousing folk music score by the Shipyard Kitchen Party band, this original Canadian musical will inspire and entertain audiences of all ages.

“Brilliant! The actors, singers and musicianship were unbelievable! Loved the presentation, story and especially the twist ending!” - Roy MacGregor, Globe & Mail

“A delightful and insightful celebration of the life and times of a legendary Canadian cultural icon, filled with humor, passion and great music. I can’t wait to see it again!” – Eddie Schwartz, Order of Canada, Juno Winner

El Sistema Aeolian is excited to present the first concert in our new home at First St. Andrews United Church on Tuesday March 7th at 6:30pm (doors open at 6pm). We will be featuring ensembles from our program, including Beginner Strings to Phrygian Strings, Brass & Winds to Choir and Full Orchestra. Repertoire will showcase the music of J.S. Bach, Mozart, Rossini, Strauss, Lennon & McCartney, and Mussorgsky, among others.

Please join us for an exciting evening of El Sistema Aeolian music! Admission is free, donations are accepted.

The GRAMMY® Award-winning vocal ensemble Chanticleer has been hailed as “the world’s reigning male chorus” by The New Yorker, and is known around the world as “an orchestra of voices” for its wide-ranging repertoire and dazzling virtuosity.  Founded in San Francisco in 1978 by singer and musicologist Louis Botto, Chanticleer quickly took its place as one of the most prolific recording and touring ensembles in the world, selling over one million recordings and performing thousands of live concerts to audiences around the world.

Chanticleer’s repertoire is rooted in the renaissance, and has continued to expand to include a wide range of classical, gospel, jazz, popular music, and a deep commitment to the commissioning of new compositions and arrangements. The ensemble has committed much of its vast recording catalogue to these commissions, garnering GRAMMY® Awards for its recording of Sir John Tavener’s “Lamentations & Praises”, and the ambitious collection of commissioned works entitled “Colors of Love”.  Chanticleer is the recipient of the Dale Warland/Chorus America Commissioning Award and the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming, and its Music Director Emeritus Joseph H. Jennings received the Brazeal Wayne Dennard Award for his contribution to the African-American choral tradition during his tenure with Chanticleer.

Named for the “clear-singing” rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, Chanticleer continues to maintain ambitious programming in its hometown of San Francisco, including a large education and outreach program that recently reached over 8,000 people, and an annual concert series that includes its legendary holiday tradition “A Chanticleer Christmas”.

Helix plays songs from their nearly 50 year career acoustically.  In between songs they tell stories about how the songs came about, the time period, and many stories guaranteed to entertain!  The band plays two 40 minute sets.  During intermission they mingle with the audience, signing merch and taking pictures.

Ian Thomas is “the complete entertainment experience!” He is a film-composer with 22 feature films to his credit; an author; an actor, much sought after as a voice-over artist and recognized for roles such as Dougie Franklin on the Red Green Show... and, of course, a Juno-award-winning Singer-Songwriter whose songs helped form the bedrock of the Canadian musical landscape, a contribution recognized by SOCAN when Ian was honoured with a National Achievement Award for Songwriting.

Ian Thomas first garnered major radio airplay in1973 with the top-40 single Painted Ladies, followed by a string of hits throughout the 70s and 80s, and on into the 90s with his band The Boomers. Whether performed by him or covered by artists including Santana, Chicago, Manfred Mann, America, Bon Jovi and Bette Midler, Ian’s many hits continually achieved heavy rotation on radio across Canada and around the world ... recordings such as Come The Sun, Long Long Way, Right Before Your Eyes, Coming Home, Pilot, Hold On, Time Is The Keeper, Liars, Wishes, The Runner, Levity, Back To Square One, Love Ya Too Much, You Gotta Know, One Little Word, Dirty Love, To Comfort You, and of course, Painted Ladies. In the new millennium, Ian joined fellow singer-songwriters Murray McLauchlan, Marc Jordan and Cindy Church to form Lunch At Allen’s, touring coast to coast for the past two decades, and now with five albums to their credit.

Of his art, Ian says: “The song remains the most satisfying creative experience for me. Songs are interactive and, with over 50 years of writing, I have spent many hours with each one and they with me. When I listen to one of my old albums, I remember where I was and the people I made them with, some living, some now dead.  I think about who I am, who I used to be, and who I thought I was. These albums are like flags stuck in the road behind me that wind back, into the past, almost out of view.”

For more info & music clips, visit www.shantero.com or www.ianthomas.ca

ON-SALE - FEBRUARY 10, 2023 @ 10:00 AM EST

The Comic Strippers are a fictitious male stripper troupe, played by a cast of some of Canada’s best improvisational comedians. These guys try to be sexy… it just comes out funny. Constantly grooving and gyrating, in between scenes they banter with the crowd and perform their sexylarious twist on improv sketches. They sing, they “dance;” these guys are oiled up and ready to make you laugh. Women often say the most attractive thing about a man is his sense of humour - so ladies, these stripped-down comedians are sure to make your head explode. And not to worry, gentlemen, this is definitely a parody of male strippers. “A show suitable for both men and women… an entertaining ride where anything goes.” - Rip It Up Magazine

Semi-undressed and completely unscripted, The Comic Strippers take off their shirts and take on your suggestions to create a whole new genre of comedy.

WARNING: No extreme nudity, just extreme hilarity. A show for all genders… 19+ only

Fresh from sold out shows in Vegas, Australia and across Canada and Canadian Comedy Award Winners for Best Live Production, The Comic Strippers are:

Roman Danylo - For five seasons, Roman starred on CTV’s Comedy Inc. As a stand-up comedian, he has appeared on Just For Laughs and The Debaters.

Chris Casillan - An improv comedy vet with The Vancouver Theatre Sports League, Chris is also a Canadian Comedy Award winner with his sketch comedy group Canadian Content.

Michael Teigen - As well as being a professional improviser and theatre actor, Michael has been in over 30 television shows and over 40 feature films.

Pearce Visser - Pearce is a 25 year veteran of improv, performing and teaching across Canada and the globe, is in the Cirque du Soleil talent roster, and can be seen occasionally on film and tv.

★★★★★ “Extremely funny comedy show that showcases their mercurial improvisational talents.” - UK Fringe   Review
★★★★ “A high- energy evening that never loses pace.” - Adelaide Now
“One of the most hilarious shows I've ever seen.” - Vancouver Sun