Atlantic Canada’s Own Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews Receive Two Nominations For 10th Independent Music Awards

Duane Andrews has been a regular performer at the Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival

Atlantic Canada’s own Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews join Ra Ra Riot, Melissa Auf der Maur, Flying Lotus, Hemoptysis, Darrell Scott, Jim Campilongo, Jackson Browne, David Lindley and other self-released and independent label talent as Nominees for the 10th Independent Music Awards (The IMAs), the influential international awards program for independent bands and fans. The duo received nominations in the Instrumental Album category for their Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews CD and in the Instrumental Song category for The Choclatier’s Lament.

Representing the broad spectrum of today’s global independent music scene, nominees for the IMA’s were culled from submissions from North America, South America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Winners will be determined by a panel of 62 influential artist and industry judges including Tom Waits, Kathleen Brennan, Suzanne Vega, Aimee Mann, Pete Wentz, Bettye LaVette, Seal, Adam Duritz, Ozzy Osbourne, Arturo Sandoval, Martin Atkins, Andrew W. K., Shelby Lynne, Kevin Lyman (Warped Tour), Bill Bragin (Lincoln Center), Anthony DeCurtis (Rolling Stone), Pat McGuire (Filter Magazine) and Evan Schlansky (American Songwriter) and will be announced in mid-March 2011.

Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews were showcasing at the Folk Alliance International Conference in Memphis Tennessee last week when they received word of their two nominations for the Independent Music Awards.“We’re very pleased to have our music acknowledged by the impressive panel of IMA judges” said Andrews “and we’re most excited about the opportunity for fans to participate in the voting at the IMA Vox Pop Jukebox. It’s the support of our fans that makes it possible for us to do what we do for a living”.

Music fans have until July 11 to cast their votes at The IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to determine the fan-selected IMA Winners. You can listen to all nominees and cast your vote here http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/10th/Album/Instrumental for the instrumental album category and here http://www.independentmusicawards.com/imanominee/10th/Song/Instrumental for the instrumental song category.

About Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews:

Steeped in the rich musical traditions of Cape Breton and Newfoundland, Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews twist their inimitable blend of East Coast Celtic and Roots music with strands of Gypsy and Jazz sounds. Heavily influenced by the brilliance of Gypsy Jazz legend Django Reinhardt, multi ECMA award winning guitarist Duane Andrews has literally brought his music around the world from his home in Newfoundland to Tasmania, Australia with stops in between at the Newport Folk and Montreal Jazz festivals to name a few and the late great John Allan Cameron simply said it all about fiddler Dwayne Côté whom he called “the best kept secret in Celtic music”.

The virtuosic duo launched their self-titled disc in spring 2010 with a multi-stop tour through Atlantic Canada and Maine, culminating in a CBC “Canada Live” national radio broadcast of their St. John’s, NL release concert. They followed this up with main stage performances at PEI’s Festival of Small Halls, the Stan Rogers Folk Festival, the Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival and picked up awards for Jazz Recording of the Year and Instrumental Recording of the Year from MusicNS and MusicNL respectively. Their Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews CD has since garnered nominations in both jazz album and instrumental album categories for the upcoming East Coast Music Awards, along with nominations for Instrumental Album and Instrumental Song from the Independent Music Awards.

Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews are looking forward to performing in Charlottetown, PE during the ECMA Conference & Awards (April 13-17), at Trails, Tales and Tunes in Newfoundland’s Gros Morne National Park (May), and London Ontario’s Home County Folk Festival (July 16). More dates to be announced soon. For a link to their podcast, video, music, schedule and more please visit http://www.dwayneandduane.com

Purchase Dwayne Côté and Duane Andrews at iTunes and Maple Music

Please visit the IMA Vox Pop Jukebox to listen and cast your vote for instrumental album and instrumental song

NLAC info sessions: Port aux Basques, Stephenville and Corner Brook

Public Information Session
on arts funding opportunities

The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council will hold Public Information Sessions in: Port aux Basques: Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 7-9 p.m.
St. Christopher’s HotelStephenville: Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 7-9 p.m.
Stephenville Arts and Culture Centre

Corner Brook: Thursday, March 10, 2011, 7-9 p.m.
Corner Brook Arts and Culture Centre

Learn about NLAC funding programs for:
·        individual artists
·        groups
·        not-for-profit arts organizations
·        not-for-profit arts festivals
·        community arts groups
·        schools

For more information:

Phone: 726-2212 or long distance toll free 1-866-726-2212
E-mail: nlacmail@nfld.net
www.nlac.nf.ca

 

Wishing Newfoundland Jazz Pioneer Jimmy Thomson a Speedy Recovery

Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues would like to extend its best wishes to Jimmy Thomson and his family after his open heart surgery last Thursday.

Jimmy, a winner of the Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues Lifetime Achievement Award, who will be 75 in August is a pioneer of the jazz scene in Newfoundland.

Jimmy Thomson was born in Scotland, in 1936. He began listening to and playing jazz when he was 16. He plays the tenor sax, guitar and vibes and has played with various jazz groups over the years. He has a wonderful knowledge of the basics of jazz and a fascinating history of being involved with music and learning.

Jimmy came to St. John’s in 1973 from Grenoch, a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland. One of his first stops once on the Island was to the Tudor, a local jazz club. There he saw Newfoundland’s most popular jazz group of that time, The Ralph Walker Band. Within a few weeks he was invited to play full-time with the band. Together they played a mixture of jazz,  gutsy blues, plenty of Dixie-land type swing, as well as the irresistible memories of the Big Band era combined with a lot of ballads. The group played at many venues and shows including the Tudor, the Arts and Culture Centre Summer Festival 77, The Fishing Admiral, The Osprey, Martha’s Pub and many more.

In the early 90’s Jim played with the Rick Hollett Trio on New Years, at the Jazz Festival in the Loft at Haymarket Square on Duckworth, and at a ‘new’ jazz bar, Mojo’s. The trio was comprised of Rocky Wiseman, Robbie Mills and vocalist Renee Marquis. The group was frequently joined by John Nugent on tenor sax. Unlike the sometimes “Big Band and gutsy blues” sound of the Ralph Walker Band, the Rick Hollett Trio had a light, airy sound.

Over the years, Jim Thomson played at a Terry Fox concert, gigs at The Health Sciences Centre and for various organizations including the Legion, Masonic Charities in the early days. Jim was particularly excited about his appearances with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra; these performances were some of the highlights of his career to date.

Watch Video of Jimmy playing and talking about the Vibraphone and Jazz below;

Part 2

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• New Jazz Releases for the Week of 2/15/2011 (theurbanflux.wordpress.com)

See Johnston and Lear perform at the Exhibition Opening of The Sensuality of the Maturing Woman – Celebrating the Fine Art of Aging Well

The Sensuality of the Maturing Woman – Celebrating the Fine Art of Aging Well

by Newfoundland artist Tina Dolter

Christina Parker Gallery, 7 Plank Road, St. John’s, NL

Opening Reception – Friday, March 4, 2011 – 5:30 to 8:30 pm

An example of Tina Dolter's work

Christina Parker Gallery announces the opening of the exhibition The Sensuality of the Maturing Woman – Celebrating the Fine Art of Aging Well by Corner Brook artist Tina Dolter.  The Sensuality of the Maturing Woman is a painting project which explores feminine allure and the positive influence maturity and life experience have on the perception of attractiveness. The ideas of the female as the centre of human sensual power, of life force, of love, of nurturing, and how these elements become more focused as a woman experiences her third trimester of life are explored in the series.  The exhibition is comprised of portraits of women from St. John’s from varied and diverse backgrounds, all over forty, experiencing the most creative and dynamic time of their lives.  The exhibition opens at Christina Parker Gallery with a reception on Friday, March 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Musical entertainment by jazz duo Johnston and Lear.  Opening remarks will be presented by Amy House, well-known Newfoundland actress, playwright, arts advocate, and Animateur of the Resource Centre for the Arts.  The artist will be in attendance.  This will be the final exhibition at the Plank Road location of Christina Parker Gallery, before the move to their new location in the heart of downtown St. John’s, and promises to be a grand celebration.

The artist gratefully acknowledges the support of The Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council and the Department of Tourism, Culture, and Recreation.

The Christina Parker Gallery

7 Plank Road

St. John’s, NL

A1C 1H3

Contact:  709-753-0580

Email:      cpg@nfld.net

Website:  www.christinaparkergallery.com

Artist Website:  www.tinadolter.com

Tara Davidson Group, Thursday March 3rd at Petro-Canada Hall

The Folk Arts Society 2011 Concert and Workshop Series Featuring Blues Workshop

Dennis Parker (above) & John Clarke will be holding the Blues workshop

Due to the popularity of the small stage workshops at this years Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival and repeated requests for hands on learning opportunities, The Folk Arts Society is pleased to launch a new series of workshops and concert presentations.

Each 1 1/2 to 2 hour workshop will be preceded by a 1 hour acoustic concert presentation. The short performance will give workshop participants a chance to familiarize themselves with the style of the performer and isolate any areas of particular interest such as chord progressions, techniques, melodic ideas, etc. These ideas can then be explored in the workshop that follows the concert.

We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities by registering early as space will be limited!

To register or for more information contact the Folk Arts Society at 576-8508, email events@nlfolk.com, or go to www.nlfolk.com

April 3rd, 2011

Blues Guitar 101 with Denis Parker and John Clarke

LSPU Hall Second Space

1:00pm to 4:00pm

A 1 hour acoustic blues concert followed by 1 and 1/2 hours of blues inspiration and instruction! This blues ain’t all about feelin’ bad; actually it has much more to do with playing guitar! And we will be playing Gibson’s, dobros, and a steel bodied National Tricone that is probably the loudest, bluesiest, and coolest thing you have ever seen or heard! This workshop is all about jamming the blues and enabling participants to jam in any key and some of the topics covered will be blues scales, blues turnarounds, transitioning between chords, and lead licks and fills. There will be a crash course in slide guitar as well!

Denis Parker has been the mainstay of the local blues scene since his arrival to St. John’s in the 1970s. Primarily known as a Dobro player and slide guitarist, John Clarke has been a sideman to many local songwriters and blues musicians over the last 10 years.

Details…

All ideas can be adapted to using a flat-pick but basic finger style guitar is the focus.

Participants should be able to change chords fluently in the keys of E and A.

Knowledge of music theory is not necessary.

Bring is your own guitar and slide, and a tuner is always helpful!

Doors open at 12:45, concert session runs form 1pm to 2pm.

Workshop and concert cost is $40 and the concert only is $5 (all HST included).

Workshops must be paid in advance; concert admission is by cash on the door only.

To register or for more information contact the Folk Arts Society at 576-8508, email events@nlfolk.com, or go to www.nlfolk.com

John Clarke
Events Coordinator
Folk Arts Society
35th Annual Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Festival
Office: (709)-576-8508
Alternate (709)-579-5755

Your Chance to win Tara Davidson’s new Album ‘View’

WJB is proud to present Tara Davidson Group live in concert on March 3rd at Petro-Canada Hall. We are also giving you the chance to win her latest album ‘View’. Everyone who purchases their ticket on-line via our website (click this link to be taken there) will be entered into a draw to win a copy of the CD.

For any questions or information regarding this event email ben@wreckhousejazzandblues.com

Rita Chiarelli Live at LSPU Hall Wednesday February 23rd

2011 TD Jazz Youth Summit – Apply Today!

For the 7th consecutive year, the TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival is pleased to invite young jazz musicians between the ages of 17 and 22 to participate in a jazz intensive workshop during the 2011 Festival from June 23 to July 3. The results from the week long summit will be showcased during a special Canada Day presentation on July 1, and again on July 3 on the Festival’s Main Stage in Confederation Park. All eligible young jazz musicians may apply for this exciting musical adventure by April 1st, 2011.

find out more at http://ottawajazzfestival.com/index.php/2011-td-jazz-youth-summit-apply-today/

Music Newfoundland and Labrador and SOCAN Present:SOCAN 101 Information Session with Tim Hardy

Sunday, February 20^th @ 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

MusicNL Boardroom – 186 Duckworth Street

The information session is free for all Music Newfoundland and Labrador members

PLEASE RSVP to jen@musicnl.ca Seating is limited!

Do you want to know how to earn money as a songwriter / composer? Chances are you are not getting the most money out of your music and we’re going to show you how SOCAN can help.

Tim Hardy, SOCAN’s Member & Industry Relations Executive for Atlantic Canada, will be on hand to discuss the following topics:

• How to join SOCAN if you’re not already a member
• How SOCAN collects you money (radio, TV, film, live performances, Internet)
• What’s new at SOCAN
• Understanding copyright
• SOCAN Foundation funding for artists and presenters

Tim Hardy has worked with SOCAN in a variety of positions within their Licensing & Membership Departments in both their head office in Toronto and their Atlantic Canadian Office based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia since 1995. Tim’s current role with SOCAN as the Member & Industry Relations Executive – Atlantic Region has him based in Dartmouth, but on the road throughout Atlantic Canada. The Member Relations role allows Tim to work with songwriters, composers and music publishers, as well as industry associations and key influencers within the region, spreading the word about SOCAN and its role within the Canadian music industry. The Industry Relations role allows Tim to work directly with many industry associations in Atlantic Canada (Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses, chambers of commerce, hospitality associations, restaurant associations, etc.) who’s membership is effected by SOCAN licensing. Tim also does numerous presentations and workshops throughout the region discussing SOCAN, copyright, performing rights and the SOCAN Foundation.

About SOCAN:

At SOCAN, we understand that the Canadian music industry is only as strong as the sum of its parts. We are proud to play a leading role, working with other organizations to ensure the long-term health of our members’ livelihoods and the Canadian music industry as a whole. SOCAN is the Canadian copyright collective for the right to communicate to the public and publicly perform musical works. We administer these rights on behalf of our members (composers, lyricists, songwriters and their publishers) and those of affiliated international organizations by licensing this use of their music in Canada. The fees collected are distributed as royalties to our members and to affiliated organizations throughout the world. We also distribute royalties received from those organizations to our members for the use of their music worldwide. SOCAN has offices in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Dartmouth.

For more information please contact:

Jen Winsor

Communications/Program Officer

MusicNL

186 Duckworth Street

St. John’s, NL

A1C 1G5

Tel: (709) 754-2574

Fax: (709) 754-5758

www.musicnl.ca