Music

Amanda Martinez is a Toronto-based singer/songwriter whose music exultingly blends her unique Mexican and South African roots with flamenco soul.  Amanda’s career highlights to date include headlining the Blue Note jazz club in New York City, the FIFA World Cup in South Africa and the Pan American Games in Mexico and Canada.  She has also been a guest recording and touring artist of award-winning guitarist Jesse Cook.  On multiple occasions, she has sold out Toronto’s Koerner Hall as well as Ottawa’s National Arts Centre and Winter Garden Theatre. Amanda credits her longtime band for being a huge support to her career. “They are world class musicians whom I feel lucky to play with. Each one contributes to our overall sound.” The ensemble features her guitarist and now producer Kevin Laliberte; her husband, bassist Drew Birston; and a premier group of Cuban Canadians: percussionist Rosendo “Chendy” Leon, trumpet player Alexander Brown, violinist Osvaldo Rodriguez and tres player Pablosky Rosales. Amanda Martinez has recorded four albums (Sola, 2006; Amor, 2009; Mañana, 2013; and Libre, 2019).  For her latest, she called on new collaborators to tell stories about women finding their strength.  Amanda says, “Libre has a different feel to it, as I wanted to explore adding an African influence. Then I ended up expanding things to include artists from other genres. A lot of the songs are duets which showcase different voices.  These include Juno-winning songwriter and guitarist Donné Roberts, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Elsten Torres, who co-wrote ‘Hey Corazon’, Kellylee Evans who performs and co-wrote ‘Libérame’, and Guadalupe Urbina from Costa Rica.”

Online magazine Jazz Weekly says, Adrian Raso “(has) got gypsy blood and makes his guitar sing like a midnight crooner.”  It’s a fitting description for this rather raffish Toronto-based musician who also looks the part in his Zegna pinstripe suit, black Biltmore Eleganza fedora and Ted Baker tie. Raso is a guitar virtuoso and exceptional songwriter (channelling Johnny Cash’s ghost and deep south voodoo), whose jaw‐dropping live shows never fail to impress.  He has released two instrumental EPs and ten full‐length albums, featuring everything from Django Reinhardt-influenced Gypsy Swing to Brian Setzer-style Rockabilly. One of Adrian’s greatest loves (Balkan brass music) won him his greatest success to date: recording and performing live with Romania’s sensational twelve-piece Fanfare Ciocarlia, who are famous for playing their unique regional take on Roma folk music at breakneck tempos and have sold hundreds of thousands of albums worldwide.  Their 2014 release together, “A Devil’s Tale” (Asphalt Tango Records), even featured Raso’s name above the band’s; it topped European world music charts, earned plenty of critical plaudits and led to a European tour that showcased the guitar wizard’s songs and skills to hundreds of rabid fans.  Fanfare Ciocarlia and Adrian Raso also headlined to much acclaim at TD Sunfest ‘16. Adrian’s upcoming visit to London is in support of his aptly titled 10th studio, “Gypsybilly King” (released on October 25, 2019), which blends furious Rockabilly guitar with other rough-hewn influences ranging from Country & Western to Romanian Hora, deep south Blues and Italian Tarantella.

Argentinian pianist and composer Gabriel Palatchi is one of jazz’s most exciting young lions whose music embodies a complex flavour of genres and has been described as “a constant stream of new colours” (World Music Report).  Starting from a deep core in Latin jazz, his songs represent the many cultures that have influenced him. Born in Buenos Aires in 1982, Gabriel spent his formative years studying classical piano and being mentored by some of the great maestros of blues, tango, jazz and Latin jazz.  After graduating from Berklee international School, Argentina, he spent several months in Cuba working with master musician “Chucho” Valdez. Gabriel subsequently became a composer when he moved to Tulum, Mexico in 2008, and his life experiences up to that point influenced the composition and production of his first solo album Diario de Viaje (Travel Diary, 2010).  His debut disc received critical acclaim from music industry journals and was chosen one of the best Latin Jazz albums of the year by JAZZ.FM91 Toronto.  Gabriel went on to record three more albums that cemented his unique sound, culminating in his 4th and latest, Made in Canada (2018), which also happens to be his first live recording.  His third album, Trivolution (2015), achieved Top Ten status in the 2015 Global Music Awards and was also featured in the Emerging Artists section of the April 2016 issue of Billboard Magazine. For the past eight years, the Gabriel Palatchi Jazz Trio (with Sarah Thawer on drums and Marc Decho on bass) has been performing at major international music festivals throughout Mexico, Canada and Europe.

The holiday season is a time of cold weather, gifts and candy canes; but, for the adult crowd, it’s also about cocktails, carols and crooning.  And the best way to catch the spirit of the three ‘cs’ is through the popular touring show Old School Yule: A Matt Dusk Christmas, which returns to the TD Sunfest holiday lineup this December.  Dusk is one of Canada’s most beloved male vocalists, who has forged a career in music that has resulted in a string of critically-acclaimed studio albums and DVDs (attaining Gold and Platinum status), as well as TV specials and unforgettable live performances that take audiences on a journey through Sinatra-era favorites and Matt’s own sparkling repertoire of jazz, pop and, of course, Christmas songs. With its swingin’ up-tempo sound and 1960s swagger, Old School Yule is an album (a 16-track collection of Kringle-season classics, recorded with a 60-piece orchestra and 50-piece choir) and supporting concert tour that Matt envisioned as the type of classic TV variety show made famous by the likes of Bing Crosby and Judy Garland. “The genre of music I perform (the American Songbook) is kind of engraved into Christmas,” says the jazz crooner. “When you think about Christmas music, it’s really the only standards we have left in modern popular music and that just happens to be in the genre of jazz…I’m so happy to be able to take this music I grew up with and share it with everyone from lifelong fans of Christmas music to future generations just now discovering the songs.”

Irresistible harmonies and beguiling rhythms mark the exuberant performances of this female a cappella quintet from Zimbabwe. Nobuntu have drawn international acclaim in repertoire that ranges from traditional Zimbabwean songs to jazz & gospel; their pure and powerful voices backed by simple percussion, traditional instruments such as the mbira (thumb piano), and organic dance movements. "Joy seems central to Nobuntu's existence: it's present in their glorious singing, their expressive dancing, even in their dress — plaids, stripes, florals in colors as exuberant as their vocals." – Tampa Bay Creative Loafing (alternative newsweekly). “Nobuntu” is an African concept that values humbleness, love, unity and family from a woman’s perspective. The ensemble represents a new generation of young female singers who celebrate and preserve their culture, beauty and heritage through art; their mission is informed by the belief that music can be an important vehicle for change, one that transcends racial, tribal, religious, gender and economic boundaries. The women have made dozens of TV and radio appearances throughout Africa and Europe promoting their three recordings (Thina, 2013; Ekhaya, 2016; Obabes beMbube, 2018) and the culture of their homeland.  Nobuntu were nominated for Best Musician of the Year at the 2015 Zimbabwe International Women’s Awards (London, UK) and are currently a two-time winner (2017 & 2019) for Outstanding Imbube/a cappella Act at the Bulawayo Arts Awards. In addition, they were a huge critical success at renowned festivals Trans-Vocal in Frankfurt and Voice Mania in Vienna. Their first tour of Canada occurred in 2016, with performances in London (for TD Sunfest), Toronto, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Victoria.

Emilie-Claire Barlow is a critically acclaimed Canadian jazz singer, arranger, record producer and voice actress. She is known for her inspired re-imaginings and affectionate treatment of both classic pop and jazz songs, delivered with polished demeanor, charming humour and a voice of unforgettable beauty. Emilie-Claire has spent the last 20 years in search of her "perfect band" and her current lineup is a who’s who of Canadian musicians. Recording her first album at the age of 22, EC now has a dozen releases to her credit, many of which have garnered award nominations – several with Félix and JUNO wins.  They range from the 1960s themed The Beat Goes On to the all-francophone Seule ce soir.  Her latest offering, the seasonal Lumières d'hiver, was released in November 2017.  Never one to rest on past accomplishments Ms. Barlow continues to grow as an artist and numerous tours across the globe – taking her from Toronto’s storied Montreal Bistro to the Montreal Jazz Festival (seven dates) and Tokyo’s Cotton Club – have honed her stage presence and voice to a peak of control and expression, wowing audiences with a combination of vocal prowess and relaxed energy.  She appears regularly at London’s Aeolian Hall as part of the TD Sunfest World Music & Jazz Series. Her new show, Emilie-Claire Barlow: 20 Year Retrospective Tour, brings to the stage a tour-de-force performance of songs – including her most popular hits and a few forgotten gems –   spanning the entire career of a major talent at her peak.

Described by the BBC as “an icon of Irish music,” Dervish boasts a lineup that includes some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians, fronted by one of the country’s best-known singers, Cathy Jordan.  The group is renowned for its live performances, which match dazzling sets of tunes with stunning interpretations of traditional songs.  Their studio and live albums – 14 to date – comprise one of the outstanding catalogues in Irish music. The (UK) Guardian newspaper commented: “Dervish are simply brilliant…they carry Irish history with them.” Dervish are long-established as one of the biggest global names in Irish music, with a fan base that stretches across various continents. The band formed in 1989 when four of the founding members met during informal sessions in the pubs of Sligo (in northwest Ireland).  Shane Mitchell (accordion), Liam Kelly (flute/whistle), Brian McDonagh (mandola/mandolin) and Michael Holmes (bouzouki) were soon joined by Roscommon-born singer and bodhran (drum) player Cathy Jordan, and later by all-Ireland Fiddle Champion Tom Morrow. It’s a remarkable and electric combination – “capable of playing with note-perfect accuracy and perfect control at nearly supersonic levels” (Irish Voice, New York).  Dervish marry this technical brilliance with a rare artistic sensibility developed after more than a quarter century of performing together. The Irish Times said, their “integrity makes the group a formidable heir to the throne abandoned by The Bothy Band, if not a serious contender for The Chieftains’ international space.” On Dervish’s brand-new album (their first for the American roots label Rounder Records), the band draws on an eclectic range of voices and genres – everything from traditional dance music to love ballads. The Great Irish Songbook’s celebrated collaborators include Steve Earle, David Gray, Rhiannon Giddens and Abigail Washburn.

The East Pointers have partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket will go to Unison Fund and their work providing counselling and emergency relief services to the Canadian music community. www.unisonfund.ca 

There’s already a waiting list for JUNO Award winning Canadian trio The East Pointers’ third album Yours To Break, out October 25th, 2019. Redefining the ever-evolving genre – modern folk – with Billboard-worthy pop hooks, deep acoustic groove, trance-like trad breakdowns and three-part harmonies, Tim Chaisson (vocals/fiddle/percussion), Koady Chaisson (banjo/tenor guitar/moog) and Jake Charron (guitar/keyboards), already internationally acknowledged as musical trailblazers, capture the furious energy of their live shows and push the boundaries of East Coast folk while lighting a path for a new generation of music lovers.

What We Leave Behind was one of the international standout albums of 2017, nominated for the ‘Traditional Roots Album of the Year’ at the 2018 JUNO Awards and attracting over four million streams on Spotify. In the short time between their 2015 JUNO Award-winning debut Secret Victory and the upcoming album Yours To Break, the band has performed over 450 shows in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the UK, Europe, Mexico, the USA, and Canada.

Yours To Break sits uneasily in a classic genre demarcation. The East Pointers have always been musically complex and technically brilliant, the core is definitely traditional Celtic, but on the new album, fiddle tunes are grounded in complex rumbling bass lines, a dirty Americana exploration turns on a dime into a lighthearted guitar feature with flamenco reference palmas, playful keyboard tones turn traditional solos into urgent dance-party journeys, and off-the-leash festival jam sessions give rise to vocal numbers that are either perfect pop songs or moving tributes to the home and people they love. “I feel like this album is the best expression to date of the band’s appreciation for so many different types of music and the fact that we as a band are comfortable enough in our own musical voice to start expressing those influences and loves.” says Koady Chaisson, who plays either banjo or tenor guitar on stage, along with the bass pedals underpinning much of the groove of this album.

Taken from a line in the song ‘Elmira’ – a tune named for a town in Prince Edward Island near where fiddler, Tim Chaisson, and his cousin, banjo player Koady Chaisson, grew up – Yours To Break puts a pin in the creative landscape in which the band currently sits, as well as where they may be headed.

Although conceived as a “love letter to home,” Tim Chaisson says: “’Elmira’ is as much about getting back to the places and things that matter as it is about not being afraid to break away from what’s holding you back. It’s about all the relationships and connections you form throughout life, and that it’s in your control to keep those connections, or part ways and take a different path.”

That’s a sentiment the band picks up on lead single, ‘Wintergreen’.

“I was diagnosed bipolar about five years ago and there was so much darkness, so many extreme highs and extreme lows,” Koady says. “It’s actually a song I kind of wish I could have heard then; a vote of confidence from the perspective of someone who loves you regardless of which end of that spectrum you’re at.”

At the core, ‘Wintergreen’ is about offering a light in the darkness to those who need it. That theme is woven into the material on Yours to Break; a decision the band made to be wholeheartedly themselves and to speak to the relationships and connections formed in life with people, places, items or substances, and the choice we have to either keep these connections or part ways. Koady says “There is also an element of trust, surrounding yourself with the right people, getting back to the place and things that matter the most. And musically, trusting your foundation and traditions, which give you a strong platform to break away and do your own thing. Ultimately, musically and philosophically we have a lot of hope for humanity despite our frailties - that’s the essence of Yours to Break.”

The album was written across the globe, with Koady in Australia, Jake in England and Tim in Costa Rica while they were working on the album. Each of those experiences and sense of place played into the creation of the album.

Produced by Nova Scotia-born, multiple Grammy and JUNO Award winning songwriter and producer, Gordie Sampson (LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts), Yours To Break finds the band drawing on their historical Canadian Celtic roots and looking forward in equal measure.

2019 JUNO Award Winner of Jazz Album of the Year: Solo for OLD SOUL

ROBI BOTOS has been hailed as one of the most diverse multi-instrumentalists  of this generation. From the hard-bop style of Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock, to the swing of Oscar Peterson and the heartfelt melodic expression of Mulgrew Miller and Cedar Walton, Robi has managed to master the technique of his idols, all while showcasing his musical expressions in a voice that is purely his own. While Robi is known for being a strong player in the traditional jazz and funk fields, he always incorporates an element of the music he grew up listening to into his playing. Says organist, trumpeter and pianist Joey Defrancesco: “Robi is one of the most swingin’, soulful, funky, world class players I’ve ever heard, and he has a technique like you can’t believe. Definitely one of my very favorite players!!!”

Born of Romani descent in Hungary, Robi taught himself first to play drums as a young child, and got his first taste of being a professional musician working throughout Budapest. Robi was first introduced to the piano when he was 7 years old, and never looked back. He continued to perform throughout Hungary and when he turned 20, decided to move his wife and children to Canada, to further pursue the career he was born for. Now 20 years later, Robi has solidified himself as one of the most sought-after pianists in the country.

Immediately after coming to Canada, Robi immersed himself into both the Canadian and international jazz scene. In 2004, he traveled to Montreux to compete in the Montreux Jazz Festival’s solo piano competition, where he placed first. His prize? Returning the following year to open for one of the headlining artists. That artists happened to be one of Robi’s idols - Oscar Peterson. Unknowingly to Robi, Peterson sat in the wings as Robi performed and upon their return to Canada, the two would form a friendship that resulted in Robi being one of OP’s final mentees. Over the next few years, Robi would continue to participate in and win global prizes and awards including the International “Jazz Hoeilaart” band competition in Belgium, the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) award in California, and the “Martial Solal Piano Competition” in Paris. In 2006, Robi would receive his first JUNO Award nomination for his participation in the ALMA Records release, “One Take.”

Since moving to Canada, Robi has been given the chance to work with many of the greats in his industry including Al Jarreau, Branford Marsalis, Christian McBride, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joey Defrancesco, Steve Gadd and Chaka Khan and has participated in projects with Michel Legrand, Chick Corea, Bill Charlap, Benny Green,  and Kenny Barron. Robi wasted no time laying down roots in Toronto. He has been the pianist of choice for Officer of the Order of Canada, Molly Johnson, for close to 15 years and has worked extensively with some of Canada’s most celebrated players including Dave Young, Phil Dwyer, Archie Alleyne, Oliver Jones, Renee Rosnes, Sophie Milman, Paul Novotny, Carol Welsman and more.

Along with being a first-call pianist for some of the top artists around the world, as well as leading his own groups in sold-out shows nationwide, Robi is also a highly sought-after composer. In 2013, Robi composed the score for a film that was deeply personal to him. Aaron Yeger’s “A People Uncounted” tells the story of the rich culture and history of the Romani people (commonly refered to as ‘Gypsies’) in Europe. The film specifically focuses on the mistreatment and devastation of the Romani people during the Holocaust. This moving project was nominated for a Producer’s Guild Award in 2014. Since then, Robi’s music can also be heard on Stella Meghie’s 2016 film “Jean of the Joneses,” which received 2 nominations at the Canadian Screen Awards. Robi also contributed to the soundtrack of the 2013 Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon film “Arbitrage”.

In 2015, Robi released his highly anticipated sophomore album for A440 Entertainment, “Movin’ Forward,” which brought him a 2016 JUNO Award win for Solo Jazz Album of the Year. This would be Robi’s 5th nomination and 2nd win for Canada’s highest award in music. “Movin’ Forward” featured Seamus Blake on tenor saxophone, Robert Hurst on bass, and Jeff “Tain” Watts on drums. After rave reviews and countless sold-out shows in support of this record, Robi went back into the studio in summer 2016 to record his next album.

In 2018, Robi released a brand-new record that pays homage to his Hungarian upbringing, the early days of his career, and the music that he has dedicated his life to. “OLD SOUL” sees Robi not only venturing into a number of different genres (jazz, funk, soul, gospel and more!), but he also plays on a number of different instruments including the Harpejji, which he was inspired to learn and incorporate into his sound by Stevie Wonder. Robi is joined by some familiar faces such as longtime collaborators Mike Downes on bass and Larnell Lewis on drums, as well as Seamus Blake on saxophone. Also joining them for the first time is Cory Henry (Snarky Puppy, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Garrett) on the Hammond B3, Ingrid Jensen (Clark Terry, Maria Schneider, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Billy Taylor) on trumpet, and Lionel Loueke (Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Roy Hargrove, Wayne Shorter) on guitar. Robi’s ability as a composer is once again highlighted on this record, with a majority of the tracks being his original material. “Old Soul” pays tribute to his homeland as he takes you down memory lane with visions of his childhood neighbourhood and through some of his favourite spots in his hometown. This record makes you feel like you have a personal connection with one of the most diverse and eclectic artists of our time.

Over the course of their notable career, Canadian group Leahy has secured a place as one of the country’s most highly regarded progressive folk-roots bands. Their emergence on the Canadian music scene in the late 1990’s with their chart-topping instrumental single “Call to Dance”, introduced audiences to a new way of accessing a uniquely Canadian music genre.

The “Leahy sound” – a combination of strong stride piano, unique bass guitar and drumming styles along with driving rhythm guitar – was the foundation from which wildly talented fiddle led instrumentals and vocals were launched to mainstream music listeners. Leahy would go on to win three Juno awards and receive countless accolades for their dynamic and powerful performances.

To date Leahy has sold more than half a million albums worldwide. They have been featured in three PBS television specials – Leahy Live in Concert, Gael Force (with the Chieftains), and Leahy Live from Gatineau, Quebec – and are the subject of an Academy Award winning documentary, The Leahys: Music Most of All. As well as touring extensively throughout Canada, the USA and Europe in support of three acclaimed records – Leahy, Lakefield, and In All Things – the band had the enviable opportunity of opening for fellow Canadian, Shania Twain, throughout the USA, Canada and the UK on her record-breaking Come On Over tour.

Fast forward to now and enter Grammy Award winning producer, David Bottrill. A fellow Canadian also, David spent the better part of the previous twenty years in the UK developing his craft at Real World studios, working with artist giants like Peter Gabriel and AfroCelt Sound System. Intensity and exacting are just two qualities equally shared by both Bottrill and Leahy. Extremely musical with exquisitely sharp senses, David and his diverse experience was the “fit” the band had been looking for to shepherd their next musical foray.

“Leahy brought the house to its feet at the Calgary Folk Club for 2 encores & left them wanting more.  The audience could have clapped all night.” – Jan Boydol, President, Calgary Folk Club

Since early 2017 Leahy has been back in the studio recording new music. The focus is on songs and the band’s original songwriting and instrumental compositions. The result is a wide-ranging collection that reflects the individual personalities that make up Leahy. Built on their roots and the distinctive “Leahy sound”, their new material reveals the band’s drive to continue pushing beyond its traditional footings. It’s a powerful record that delivers a sumptuous feast of solid music, pulse-raising rhythms, compelling storytelling and infectious melodies.

On the edge of a new chapter in their career, some things don’t change – the experience. An encounter with Leahy is inimitable. Performances are full of energy, big rich sound, poignant songs, fiery instrumentals and percussive step-dancing – all delivered with unapologetic passion! In one word – unforgettable.