Jazz

Christina Beaudry - Cárdenas | Prix Étoiles Stingray | Festival international de Jazz de Montréal 2022

Stingray — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 18:02:09 +0000

Christina Beaudry - Cárdenas | Prix Étoiles Stingray | Festival international de Jazz de Montréal 2022  Stingray Thu, 07/14/2022

Christina Beaudry-Cárdenas remporte le Prix Oliver-Jones présenté par le Festival International de Jazz de Montréal et met aussi la main sur le Prix Étoiles Stingray d’une valeur de 5000$ !

Après une présélection effectuée par des enseignants universitaires, les candidats ont présenté un dossier comprenant des fichiers audio et vidéo aux membres du jury, qui ont par la suite désigné la gagnante. Le jury était composé, de musiciens, professeurs et professionnels de la musique.

Crédit photo : Victor Diaz Lamich

Fraîchement diplômée de l’Université Concordia, la batteuse a célébré son prix le 9 juillet lors d’un spectacle présenté dans le cadre de la série Entrée Libre au Studio TD, via son projet Pizca, une fusion entre le jazz et la musique péruvienne.

Le prix a été créé en l’honneur d’Oliver Jones, figure mythique du jazz montréalais. Natif du quartier la Petite-Bourgogne, ce géant du piano a laissé une marque indélébile dans l’histoire du Festival de jazz. Quand le Festival a été approché par deux des plus proches collaborateurs d’Oliver Jones pour créer un prix à son nom, il était important que celui-ci reflète en premier lieu son dévouement pour la jeunesse. Tout au long de sa carrière, Oliver Jones n’a jamais compté ses heures auprès des jeunes musiciens pour les conseiller et les écouter.

ÉCOUTEZ LA CHAÎNE DU FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE JAZZ DE MONTRÉAL – 42e ÉDITION

FIJM

Festival international de Jazz de Montréal

Jazz

Oliver Jones

Prix Étoiles Stingray

Stingray Rising Stars

Worldwide

French

Crédit photo : Victor Diaz Lamich

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TOP 10 | Best Jazz Albums of 2020

Rokas — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 22:09:16 +0000

TOP 10 | Best Jazz Albums of 2020 Rokas Wed, 12/16/2020

In 2019, jazz experienced a steady growth among numerous music festivals, extensive magazine coverage, and dedicated playlists on top streaming services. In 2020, the music’s popularity has maintained its status quo while finding new ways to surprise its audiences and further expand its boundaries. With this in mind, Stingray DJAZZ's editor selected 10 jazz albums that left the biggest impression among all the releases of 2020.

Best Jazz albums of 2020

While you read this, listen to the best of Jazz songs on Stingray Music!

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**Various Artists - Blue Note Reimagined | Blue Note Records**

Blue Note Re:imagined presents classic Blue Note tracks, reworked and newly recorded by a selection of the UK scene’s most exciting young talents today. The project represents a bridge between the groundbreaking label’s past and future, and features contributions from internationally acclaimed jazz, soul, and R&B acts. Featured artists include Shabaka Hutchings, Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia, Steam Down, Skinny Pelembe, Emma-Jean Thackray, Alfa Mist, and Brit Award-winning Jorja Smith.

**Wynton Marsalis & Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra - Black, Brown & Beige | Blue Engine Records**

“It sits alone in the history of jazz,” Wynton Marsalis says of Duke Ellington’s groundbreaking masterpiece Black, Brown & Beige. Since its 1943 debut at Carnegie Hall, the piece, a sprawling survey of African American history, has been heralded as one of the most significant American orchestral music compositions. Now, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis is releasing a definitive, present-day recording of Black, Brown & Beige that conveys all the nuances and emotion of Ellington’s masterpiece.

**Chip Wickham - Blue to Red | Lovemonk Records**

Channeling the spirit of Alice Coltrane and Yusef Lateef via the lens of a hip-hop, electronica, and club music educated ear, Blue to Red encompasses Wickham’s disparate set of production influences with his Manchester and spiritual jazz education. The album not only seeks to forewarn Earth’s possible Mars-like future but seeks to tap into the interplanetary, cosmic nature of music. “It’s a culture crisis rather than a climate crisis, one that can only be solved if we go right to the core of how we live as human beings.”

**David Linx - Skin in the Game | Cristal Records**

After more than thirty albums, solo or in duo with pianist Diederik Wissels, singer David Linx, for this new opus of original compositions sung in English, has brought together a combo of leaders with Gregory Privat on piano, Chris Jennings on double bass, Arnaud Dolmen on drums and luxury guest Manu Codjiaon the guitar. Between ballads and more rhythmic titles, two pieces embellished with poems said by Marlon Moore add another color to the work and recall the first sublime album produced by David Linx with the writer James Baldwin in 1987.

**Nubya Garcia - Source | Concord Jazz**

Source explores a multidimensional jazz sound layered with soul, afro-diasporic sounds, and dub-step hints along the way. The title track, “Source” arrives reworked in steamy dub overtones, blending reggae, jazz, and myriad sounds from her youth. The sweltering heat generated in the track’s bass-lines and Garcia’s militant sax place the track as a tribute to personal power. Reflecting on what makes her feel powerful, she notes that it’s also about “being ok with reaching out to people and supporting one another.”

**Gil Scott-Heron & Makaya McCraven - We're New Again - A Reimagining by Makaya McCraven | XL Recordings**

To mark the 10th anniversary of I’m New Here, the 13th and last studio album from the legendary US musician, poet, and author Gil Scott-Heron, XL Recordings will release a unique reinterpretation of the album by acclaimed US jazz musician Makaya McCraven. Just like with his previous recordings, McCraven continues to blend unique arrangements of others’ works with his distinct sonic vision that results in layers of musical textures.

**Diana Krall - This Dream Of You | Verve Records**

Diana Krall's new self-produced album, This Dream Of You, was mixed by Al Schmitt, who worked closely with her to achieve the notable intimacy and immediacy. Performances from 2016-2017 sessions, on which she collaborated with late friend and longtime creative partner Tommy LiPuma. The record feels like a movie you might share with someone you know and stay with it until the final reel. As Krall says: "If “But Beautiful” is the overture, then “Singing In The Rain” is the end title.”

**Various Artists - The Eddy (From The Netflix Original Series) | Arista Records**

The original soundtrack to the Netflix original series about a small jazz club called The Eddy located in a multicultural neighborhood in modern-day Paris brings together talented French jazz musicians who perform music written by Glen Ballard. The soundtrack marked a very realistic take on the 21st-century jazz musician’s life by including beautiful ballads and fast bop-ish numbers that draw on themes of struggle, family, out of control life, and the past, present, and the future.

**Gregory Porter - All Rise | Blue Note Records**

The album marks a return to Porter’s beloved original songwriting: heart-on-sleeve lyrics imbued with a simple philosophy and real-life details, set to a stirring mix of jazz, soul, blues, and gospel. The set also represents Porter’s art's evolution to something even more emphatic, emotive, intimate, and universal. After 2017 Porter knew two things: one, he’d bring in an orchestra for his next LP, and two, the music is medicine. In the spirit of that latter revelation, All Rise brims with songs about irrepressible love, plus a little protest, because the road to healing is bumpy.

**Moses Boyd - Dark Matter | EXODUS Records**

After the success of his 2018 release, Moses Boyd returns with another fantastic work. This time, he composed, produced, and released all by himself. Met with widespread critical acclaim, the album Dark Matter was also nominated for the Mercury Prize. Inspired by the astrophysical concept of the same name, dark matter, the album mixes jazz with afro-beats, rock, and electronic music elements.

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5 Jazz Albums You Missed in 2020

Rokas — Wed, 16 Dec 2020 20:24:50 +0000

5 Jazz Albums You Missed in 2020 Rokas Wed, 12/16/2020

After the musically rich year of 2019, in which jazz exploded in popularity among general audiences, the music stayed on the right course of evolution in 2020. Stingray has already picked the top 10 jazz albums of 2020. Yet, among so many great 2020 releases, some were very easily overlooked. Hence, we choose five albums that we consider 2020's top hidden gems.

Listen now! ⏯

**Kamaal Williams - Wu Hen | Black Focus Records**

Wu Hen is the sophomore album from Kamaal Williams — an invitation to elevate to a higher state. Cinematic strings from Miguel-Atwood Ferguson and virtuoso saxophone from Quinn Mason are textural additions that make for a more in-depth, multi-layered experience than previous releases. Bringing groove back to the forefront, Wu Hen oscillates between celestial jazz, funk, rap, and R&B, reinforced with the rugged beat-heavy attitude of grime, jungle, house, and garage – a self-styled fusion Kamaal Williams describes as Wu Funk.

**Thundercat - It Is What It Is | Brainfeeder**

It Is What It Is follows Thudercat’s game-changing third album Drunk (2017). That record completed Thundercat’s transition from virtuoso bassist to bonafide star and cemented his reputation as a unique voice that transcends genre. Produced by Flying Lotus and the bassist himself, the album features musical contributions from Ty Dolla $ign, Childish Gambino, Lil B, Kamasi Washington, Steve Lacy, Steve Arrington, BADBADNOTGOOD, Louis Cole, and Zack Fox.

**Kassa Overall - I Think I'm Good | Brownswood Recordings**

Seattle-raised, Brooklyn-residing Kassa Overall is a jazz musician, emcee, singer, producer, and drummer. His second full-length album, I Think I’m Good, is the work of an artist whose voice has ripened to its own hard-earned, provocative conclusions, erasing the need to talk about dissolving barriers between hip-hop and jazz because he has begun a new conversation. The album is a window into the real life of Overall, a Bushwick-based artist wrestling with the abhorrent American prison system, the ebbs and flows of romantic relationships, and perils of trust, all seen through the kaleidoscopic lens of a brilliant 21st-century composer.

**Mike Casey - Law of Attraction| Self-released**

The debut studio album by American saxophonist Mike Casey was recorded July 2018 at Omer Avital's basement studio Wilson Live in 100-degree heat with no air conditioning. Raw and uncut, the album entails a “no tricks” approach: it was recorded without headphones or isolation! Law of Attraction is full of original compositions and arrangements while featuring Grammy-nominated pianist Benito Gonzalez known for playing with Pharoah Sanders, Kenny Garrett, and Jackie McLean.

**Various Artists - Gilles Peterson Presents: MV4 | Brownswood Recordings**

Gilles Peterson presents a time capsule of musical magic on this exclusive. Taken from a day of live sessions in London’s legendary Maida Vale Studios - studio MV4 to be exact, it was initially intended just for Peterson’s BBC radio show broadcast on October 20, 2018. Struck by what a special moment the sessions captured, Peterson has decided to mark the results with a release proper on his Brownswood imprint.

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Get in the Holiday Spirit | Top 10 Songs

Amanda S. — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 18:27:15 +0000

Get in the Holiday Spirit | Top 10 Songs Amanda S. Sun, 11/01/2020

Holiday music for every magical moment

The holidays are hectic. There’s online shopping, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, baking, decorating, and celebrating. We’ve rounded up the top 10 holiday songs to get you through this frenzy-inducing time of year.

10. “Underneath the Tree” by Kelly Clarkson

This big-band style song will put a joyous pep in your step. You won’t be able to help grinning ear to ear with this bop that’s positively bursting with good cheer. With its emphasis on love and gratitude during the holiday season, this relatively new holiday song is already a modern-day standard. Get on board with one of the happiest Christmas songs in recent years.

9. “Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!” by Michael Bublé

Michael Bublé gifts us this delightful rendition of a favourite Christmas standard. The beat is uptempo, the crowd is singing along; the holiday spirit is strong with this song. Get in the mood for sing-alongs, get-togethers and late nights with family and friends. Stay inside, get cozy, and let it snow to the tune of Bublé’s crooning vocals.

8. “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree” by Brenda Lee

The late 1950s must have been feeling really Christmassy because here’s another gem from that era. Did you know that Brenda Lee was only 13 years old when she recorded this single? Her mature voice lends itself perfectly to this holiday tune. And for those who grew up in the ‘90s, you’ll recall that it’s in the soundtrack to the film Home Alone. It’s one of the most downloaded Christmas songs of all times.

7. “Jingle Bell Rock,” by Bobby Helms

The holidays wouldn’t be complete without this popular Christmas song, released in the late 1950s. The tune has stood the test of time and is a must for any holiday get-together. The rockabilly sound, backup singers, and jingle bells makes it an irresistible festive hit. Only two minutes long, our only Christmas wish is that it was a little longer.

6. “Silver Bells” by Tony Bennett

This old-time Christmas classic is guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. Tony’s smooth voice and classy piano will bring a touch of vintage cool to your festivities. Cuddle up to someone you love and enjoy this laid-back, jazzy take on a Christmas song that never goes out of style. Your grandma loved it, and so will you.

5. “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” by John Lennon

This beloved song was originally written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono as a protest song against the war in Vietnam. Over the years, it’s become a holiday favorite frequently covered by other artists. The Harlem Community Choir add that touch of magic that makes you want to sing along with your near and dear ones. Spread peace, love, and goodwill to all with this enchanting tune.

4. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen reinvents this holiday classic with the help of the E Street Band. This rock version of the song feels as dynamic as it is surprising. Who knew that The Boss had such a soft spot for Christmas standards? It’s a holiday treat that’s as fun for kids as grown-ups alike.

3. “Do They Know it's Christmas?” by Band Aid

2004 brought us a refresh of the original 1984 song written by Band Aid organisers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. Upon its release, this version climbed to number one like the previous two. Whether you love or hate this song (and this version), it's a great reminder to give to the less fortunate during what can be a difficult time of year for many people.

2. “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney

The jingle bells throughout this song add a playfulness that bring out the kid in all of us. Enjoy the lightheartedness of this seasonal favorite. Did you know that Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics and played every instrument on this track? His magic shines through and makes us want to gather family and friends for a cup of Christmas tea.

1. “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey

Happy 25th anniversary to this Christmas gem that keeps on giving every single year. Mariah’s crystal-clear voice brings the warmth, love, and fun that everybody craves during the holidays. Re-recorded in 2010, this song also got a makeover this year as a duet with Justin Bieber. This holiday standard isn’t going anywhere soon, and we couldn’t be merrier.

Stingray Music has you covered this Christmas season! Listen to the Best Christmas Songs of All Time!

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Norah Jones and the Handsome Band: Live in 2004

Ben Fong-Torres — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 15:25:27 +0000

Norah Jones and the Handsome Band: Live in 2004 Ben Fong-Torres Tue, 06/16/2020

In the early 2000’s, I had two occasions to attend South by Southwest, the music conferences that takes place in—and takes over—Austin every year. I was on a panel one year, then did an onstage interview with The Band’s Robbie Robertson a year or two later.

Each, year, I learned , there was one major “buzz act,” the one band or musician everybody had to see. I had great timing. The first time I went, it was Shelby Lynne. The next: Norah Jones.

SXSW artists played anywhere and everywhere. I caught Norah at a barbeque restaurant one afternoon and at a Tower Records gig. Wherever she played, listeners were mesmerized. I met her briefly after one event, and there was no question that she’d turn the buzz into a blast of a career. Her first album sold 4 million copies.

But if she was having a blast, it didn’t show on stage—at least early on. She never failed to sing and play piano beautifully. But she was always at the grand piano, sideways to the audience, often looking down or straight at her band as she sang her wistful, jazz-tinged songs.

This was not the real Norah, who enjoyed hanging out, jamming, and doing after-hour gigs with her Willie Nelson tribute band, the Little Willies.

The more real Norah is in Norah Jones and the Handsome Band Live in 2004. What a difference a few years make. Now, she is often front and center, singing at a mike. For her audience at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, she brings on several guests, including Dolly Parton, who puts a charge into the proceedings, mentioning Minnie Pearl and June Carter Cash before joining Norah on “Creepin.’”

The producers also include a behind-the-scenes look and listen to Jones and her very handsome band, with a video of them performing “What Am I to You” in an empty auditorium. There’s also footage of a rehearsal or sound check for “The Prettiest Thing.”

And although Jones & Company are playing the home of the Grand Ole Opry, she’s not afraid to offer a solo rendition of a Duke Ellington song, “Don’t Miss You at All,” showing her chops as a jazz-tinged torch singer and as a pianist with a soft, deft touch.

And then she’s rejoined by the band for a countrifried version of Tom Waits’ “The Long Way Home.”

And then it’s hello, Dolly.

Whether it was at a BBQ place in Austin or the mother church of country music, Norah Jones always knew how to please a crowd.

Qello Concerts by Stingray

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5 Albums You Missed in 2019 | Stingray DJAZZ

Rokas — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 16:33:09 +0000

5 Albums You Missed in 2019 | Stingray DJAZZ Rokas Tue, 01/07/2020

After the musically rich year of 2018, with jazz exploding in popularity among audiences, the music continued to evolve in 2019. Many of the same artists who dominated the scene before now released new music that had the same vital components which made jazz so in demand the previous year, while also adding something subtle, fresh, yet edgy. Stingray has already picked the top 10 jazz albums of 2019. Yet, among so many great 2019 releases, some were very easily overlooked. Hence, we choose five albums that we consider 2019's top hidden gems.

Listen now! ⏯

**Theon Cross - Fyah | Gearbox Records**

Acclaimed musician, bandleader, and composer Theon Cross is moving up in the world because of his unique tuba playing. Already known as a band member of Sons of Kemet, Cross released his debut album Fyah this year. This record finds Cross exploring the vast regions of jazz-funk and breaking new ground with his gifted playing.

**Various Artists - Sunny Side Up | Brownswood Recordings**

Recorded during a week at The Grove studio, Sunny Side Up is a compilation of music from Melbourne’s underground scenes. With the city being free of any jazz customs to follow, the record boasts influences ranging from jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and from funk to deep house.

**Mark de Clive-Lowe - Heritage | Ropeadope Records**

Based in Los Angeles, pianist, composer, and producer Mark de Clive-Lowe recorded his new album Heritage over three subsequent nights at Blue Whale jazz club. The record documents a personal exploration of culture and identity and is filled with a blend of acoustic and electronic elements with Eastern influences.

**Wynton Marsalis - Bolden| Blue Engine Records**

Wynton Marsalis faced a nearly impossible task: bring fellow cornetist and New Orleanian Buddy Bolden, considered the first person to ever play jazz, back from the dead for the film Bolden. Marsalis does a great job of reviving Bolden's music, while also updating the tone and maintaining a high quality of musicianship.

**Nerija - Blume | Domino Recording Company**

Nerija is a seven-piece collective by some of London's most original jazz players. Blume shows that the group has become a more coherent unit. Their collective love of experimentation and improvisation is something special. Blume is the kind of album to get lost in.

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Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2019 | Stingray DJAZZ

Rokas — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 17:07:29 +0000

Top 10 Jazz Albums of 2019 | Stingray DJAZZ Rokas Mon, 01/06/2020

After the amazing year 2018, in which jazz experienced an enormous interest from numerous music festivals, huge magazine coverage, and dedicated playlists on top streaming services, the music’s popularity has maintained its steady growth in finding new ways to surprise its audiences and further expand the boundaries of its self-definition in 2019. With this in mind, Stingray DJAZZ selected ten jazz albums that in one way or another, represent the overall picture of jazz in 2019.

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The Cinematic Orchestra - To Believe | Ninja Tune

After twelve long years since their previous album, The Cinematic Orchestra released their fourth full-length studio album, To Believe. With its beautifully and powerfully composed tracks, the new release picks up where the last one ended: beautiful ballads mixed with rich orchestral arrangements and subtle electronic music elements.

**Ezra Collective - You Can’t Steal My Joy | Enter The Jungle**

Pioneering the new wave of British jazz, the five-piece Ezra Collective released their debut studio album You Can’t Steal My Joy. The album is entertaining, pleasant, impressive, and full of fun, cementing Ezra Collective's status as one of the UK’s most exciting and promising jazz groups.

**Nubiyan Twist - Jungle Run| Strut Records**

Coordinated by guitarist/producer Tom Excell, Nubiyan Twist is a Leeds-born, London-based collective. With Jungle Run, recorded at the collective's self-built Henwood Studio, Nubiyan Twist presents a different and extremely diverse sound in a varied mix of styles.

**Anderson .Paak - Ventura | Aftermath/12 Tone Music, LLC**

The ever-smiling and eternally cheerful Anderson .Paak returns in less than six months following the release of his previous record, Oxnard. As his new record, Ventura, is an 11-track affair, it is a more concentrated offering than Oxnard. On Ventura, .Paak comes through with some of his best instrumentation to date, blending soul, funk, and jazz.

**The Comet Is Coming - Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery | Impulse!**

On the second album of The Comet is Coming, saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings goes all in. With distinctive jazz injected with electronic sounds, Trust In The Lifeforce Of The Deep Mystery embraces chaos. The record is full of intriguing sounds, profound rhythms and tempo changes, making it a fast-paced adventure that you do not want to miss.

**Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - Ancestral Recall | Ropeadope Records**

Born in the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah blends African rhythms with polyphonic voices and diverse instrumentation on his new album, Ancestral Recall. The trumpetist experiments with new sounds in an attempt to stretch jazz’s rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic conventions to encompass as many other musical forms as possible.

**Sarathy Korwar - More Arriving | The Leaf Label**

US-born, Indian-raised Sarathy Korwar made a name for himself in the London jazz scene. On his second studio album More Arriving, Korwar gets more political and personal than on his first one. The record is an extraordinary piece of originality with its roots in jazz, hip-hop, and Indian classical music.

**Fieh - Cold Water Burning Skin | EDDA**

Led by singer and multi-instrumentalist Sofie Tollefsbøl, Fieh is an eight-piece Norwegian band inspired by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and D’Angelo. On their debut album Cold Water Burning Skin, they create an experimental sound full of positive vibes. This is jazz, soul, and funk all crafted into one joyful mix.

**Joe Armon-Jones - Turn to Clear View | Brownswood Recordings**

Joe Armon-Jones is taking the world by storm. As a founding member of Ezra Collective, he is already a well-known figure on the London jazz scene. Turn to Clear View features regular bandmates Nubya Garcia and Moses Boyd, and has influences ranging from funk, dub, and bass music to hip-hop, yet always finds a way back into jazz.

**Zuco 103 - Tripicalismo | Zuco Sound**

Zuco 103 combines Brazilian samba, jazz, and electronic music with sounds from all over the world. On their new record Tripicalismo, the Dutch trio celebrates its 20th anniversary with hits, remixes and new songs. From peaceful calm to full steam ahead, this album's range is all over the place.

Listen now! ⏯

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BELLFLOWER | Interview

Sasha — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 16:50:35 +0000

BELLFLOWER | Interview Sasha Fri, 11/08/2019

BELLFLOWER, the nine-piece indie-folk, jazz act from Montreal recently released their second full-length album, Upside Down. I was in attendance for their album launch a few weeks back and I was blown away by their presence and the mastery of their craft. They pulled it off with their usual eight-member lineup augmented by an additional seven especially for that occasion. That’s 14 musicians onstage total! It was bliss!

Credits: Dupaul

I recently spoke with their singer Émilie Pompa in anticipation of their upcoming showcase at the Mundial Festival.

It’s been three years since the release of your last record. I found your newest one Upside Down to be more lush and dreamlike. Tell me about where this concept emerged for you guys and what brought on this new sound?

Upside Down was one of the first songs that I wrote. I was at my parent's cottage with a friend who was going through a very rough time in his life. We sat down and started to play music and I decided to tell his story in this song. It was a particularly grey and foggy day. I was completely inspired by the surroundings which I think are well portrayed in Upside Down. It gave me a strong guideline to what I wanted the album to represent. It made me write about other people than myself and I started to write stories about what my friends were going through in their lives. I discovered that a lot of them were struggling in different ways and it made me realize that our path in life is not a simple straight line. There are a lot of ups and downs, there is no sweet without sour, no renewal without destruction.

Upside Down represents that critical moment of fear, doubt and anxiety that you have to embrace and accept, because you have the power to choose what the next move is going to be. So it's alright to take risks in life and be afraid. Like the burning phoenix overcoming darkness, rising to the challenge and being reborn from his ashes to become more powerful.

I was one of the lucky ones attending your album launch at Centre Phi a few weeks ago. I loved the augmented band you had on stage that night. All of us in attendance were blown away, how was that experience for you?

It was an incredible experience! To be able to share live with everyone the orchestral arrangements that we worked on for this album was wonderful. It felt so powerful and rich on stage. I felt like a rock that a tidal wave was crashing on! And again it was about taking risks because it did come with certain challenges, but it was completely worth it! I really hope we're going to get the chance to do that show again!

Credits: Nicolas Boulay

Speaking on being such a big group, can you give me more insight into the songwriting process and how you go about starting a song all the way to the finish line? Is it a team effort or do all songs start off with you alone?

They mainly start with me alone, except for two songs on this album where William Côté composed guitar riffs that I found interesting and decided to build songs with them. For the rest of the songs I usually start playing either a guitar, piano/synthesizer or bass line idea. Then I work around that. I try to record as many instrument parts as possible at home on my computer…. I sing the trumpet and saxophone lines to give me a good idea of the horn and wind harmonies. It's a really fun process! When the instrumental part is done, I then record some vocal melodies and try to figure out what the lyrics are going to be.

When I feel I have brought the most that I could to the song, I present it to William and we arrange it together. He has such good ideas and pushes me to think outside the box. I usually let him create his drum parts as well as the percussions.

We then bring the song to the rest of the band members and that's where the magic happens. Even though I have certain precise things written down for them to play, it is important for me to give them liberty to express themselves in their playing. Every idea they have is welcome and tried. I even leave some blank sections, with certain guidelines, and then ask them to interpret it in their own creative way. They are incredibly talented musicians. That's how our songs come to life!

Knowing that you are so many musicians involved in the creative process I’d love to know a bit more about your personal musical influences as a songwriter.

There are so many of them, but one who really inspired me as a songwriter is Andy Shauf. I was so moved by his album The bearer of bad news. The way he tells a story is so captivating.

One of the great poets of all time for me would be Tom Waits. He is such an amazing artist whose songs are so visceral and real.

Bon Iver for me is an artist who has the capacity to renew himself beautifully. He has a strong signature style that is very inspiring.

Alabama Shakes is also at the top of my list. Very powerful and soulful. They really get to me.

Lastly can you please tell me what you feed your drummer to get him to play drums AND acoustic guitar AND sing at the same time? As a musician myself, I felt a bit insecure knowing there are drummers out there doing it all.

Will is such an amazing musician! He's very curious and has a thirst for discovering new music. He is also a great musical arranger and is very interested in many musical branches such as sound engineering. Being very passionate, he is always up for challenges of multitasking. We work very closely and always produce our albums together.

You can catch BELLFLOWER next week in Montreal for a showcase during the Mundial Festival on November 19 at the Cabaret Lion d'Or. Expect more surprises from the band in the coming weeks. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

🎵 You can listen to them on our Quebec Emergent Playlist here.

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Credits: Nicolas Boulay

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Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival | Stingray Rising Stars | Interview with McKinley Morrison & Williams

Kenton — Mon, 23 Sep 2019 17:36:05 +0000

Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival | Stingray Rising Stars | Interview with McKinley Morrison & Williams Kenton Mon, 09/23/2019

The Stingray Rising Stars Program at Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival was a huge success this year and featured artists from several musical genres. Participants included Les Moon Tunes, Bleum, McKinley Morrison & Williams, and Delirious Monks. Each finalist performed on Saturday, September 14, and was judged on talent, originality and stage presence by a panel of music industry experts. A pre-event voting campaign took place with over 3000 people voting online. Votes were also taken from members of the audience on that afternoon. The panel of industry judges comprised half of the final vote tally and the audience and online voting represented the remaining half. Once all the votes were tallied McKinley Morrison & Williams were announced as the winners of the $1,500 prize.

McKinley Morrison & Williams

Born from creativity and a desire to be free in music, Josh McKinley, John Morrison, and Darrell Williams have brought their musical tastes together to form a completely original sound that is sonically comparable to jazz, Latin, world, funk, and fusion. This forging of musicianship has opened a side of music that is exciting and fresh, mixing sounds of the past with sounds of the present.

Josh McKinley has been playing guitar since he was 13 years old. It was a childhood passion that he started to take more seriously after finishing school. Since then, he has played with and founded almost a dozen New Brunswick groups, has toured all the Maritime provinces with multiple bands and has toured halfway across Canada several times. Never having taken formal music or guitar lessons, Josh has adapted over his career to form a natural & original approach to the guitar. He has been recorded on 7 albums and is no stranger to sitting in with artists and groups in a live and studio setting. Music is magic, and while listening to Josh play the guitar, that is what you can expect to feel.

John Morrison has been playing drums professionally for over 20 years. He has left New Brunswick and toured internationally several times, playing to crowds of 50,000+ people. John has studied with a few notable Maritime drum teachers including Joe McIntyre & Norman Calp. In 2008, he was featured on the cover of Drum etc... Canadian drum magazine and participated in a drum competition in Toronto, Canada where he won the fastest stroke competition. John is an absolute beast behind the kit and has been compared to drummers such as Buddy Rich.

Darrell Williams may as well have been born with a bass guitar. He has been playing music professionally for 40 years. Born in Yonkers, New York, Darrell made his way to Canada in 1979 touring North America with a show band. In 1989 he settled down in New Brunswick and began tearing up the East Coast music scene, changing the boundaries of how people looked at the bass guitar. Darrell has played with many great artists over the years including Dave Wilcox, Matt Anderson and Jeff Healey. When Darrell straps his bass on, something crazy is about to happen and you don’t want to miss it.

McKinley Morrison & Williams have been playing and touring together for a little over two years. In their short career, they have made a significant mark on the East Coast music scene while playing at music festivals and by creating their own brand of an intimate show experience called the “Uptown Jazz Ball,” fusing music, art, and food. MMW currently reside in New Brunswick, Canada. They have released one live album to date as a group and have been recorded together in the studio for several albums as a session band.

These three musicians enjoy pleasing audiences with their tasteful and explosive jams. At a McKinley Morrison & Williams show, you can expect a melodic and groove-based musical fusion, bass solos, guitar wizardry, and a drum clinic. Get out to see these cats!

McKinley Morrison & Williams (Josh McKinley, John Morrison & Darrell Williams) with Stingray's Kenton Dunphy (New Country 92.3 (CFRK) and UP 93.1 FM (CIHI)) - Photo credits: James West.

What’s your earliest music memory?

Josh: I remember my friend and I, at age 4 and 5 standing in his front yard strumming broomsticks, rocking out hard like we were on a big stage.

John: My mother's steel band that practiced at the house when I was five or six.

Who’s your influences?

Josh: I listened to an eclectic variety of music growing up. Throughout my life, I have always jived with Paul Simon. Funk and rock took over when I discovered Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsys, and then jazz, classical and world music.

John: I have listened to everything and take it all in as much as I can.

What’s your best memory on stage?

Josh: Too many cool moments with these cats. One of my favorites was John's drum solo at Dooryard Festival. The stage lost all power and lights moments before the solo started. John goes for it anyways with no PA and no stage lights and the crowd gathered closer to the stage to hear and see better. Near the end of the drum solo, the techs figured out the problem and everything came back on! We ended the song with full sound and lights again almost as if it was planned.

John: Probably Follyfest 2018. The crowd was wild and really into the set from start to finish.

Who is your favorite musician or band?

Josh: I'd have to say Paul Simon. He has stuck with me most of my life as an influence and I still love his music today.

John: Vinnie Colaiuta, phenomenal drummer and musician.

What’s your Favorite genre?

Josh: Tough one. I enjoy listening to many styles of music. Lately, world music and jazz music have been my go-to.

John: I like all of the genres.

What’s the best part of East Coast scene?

Josh: The friendships. Music really helps tie the provinces together and creates friendships and bonds between people who live in different areas. Not only for musicians, but also for the patrons attending the performances and festivals. It is nice to travel to a different city to play music, and almost feel like going home at the same time.

John: Best part of the New Brunswick scene? The people are very nice and really supportive of live music.

Congratulations on winning the Stingray Rising Stars award! What do you plan to do with the $1500 prize?

Josh: We will be putting that money towards recording our first studio album. Hoping to head into the studio late fall and through the winter! We are planning to record at Trillium Studios in Saint John.

Darrell Williams from McKinley Morrison & Williams accepting the Stingray Rising Stars award - Photo credits: James West

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TD Sunfest 2019 | Stingray Rising Stars

TD Sunfest — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 14:30:42 +0000

TD Sunfest 2019 | Stingray Rising Stars TD Sunfest Thu, 07/18/2019

TD Sunfest wrapped up its landmark 25th edition on Sunday, July 7th after four days of presenting more than 80 FREE-admission performances by 40 top world music & jazz groups from every corner of the globe, and attracting 600+ volunteers and a record number of visits from near and far, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who, during Thursday evening’s opening ceremonies, praised the festival as “a showcase of the best of London and the best of Canada in its diversity.”

As part of its embrace of deserving national talent, the Sunfest Committee is pleased to announce that this year’s $1500 Stingray Rising Stars Award at TD Sunfest goes to the band OKAN (meaning heart or soul). The eclectic Toronto-based Afro-Cuban roots & jazz collective is co-led by Elizabeth Rodriguez (violin) and Magdelys Savigne (percussion) and complemented by some of Canada’s finest Latin and jazz players such as Ottawa pianist Miguel de Armas, who joined the ensemble this past weekend at TD Sunfest. The members of OKAN said, “Thank you very much to Sunfest and Stingray for this recognition. We’re honoured and humbled to accept a Stingray Rising Stars Award. This will be a testament to our continued commitment to the celebration and advancement of Afro-Cuban music".

Tracy Jenkins, representing OKAN’s label Lulaworld Records, was also thrilled by the group’s latest achievement: “Winning a Stingray Award has a huge impact in jump-starting the careers of emerging artists. For Canadian musicians who are struggling to get their music heard in a densely populated field, this recognition helps grab the attention of listeners, audiences and programmers. Along with their recent Independent Music Award, OKAN’s 2019 Stingray Rising Stars Award is already attracting more listeners to their new single “Mas Que Nada”. We’re so excited to see where this project goes over the next year, now that we can call it ‘The award-winning women-led Afro-Cuban roots and jazz project OKAN’”.

About the winners:

Classically trained in Cuba, both Rodriguez and Savigne were for several years members of Maqueque the award-winning, all-female Cuban jazz group led by Canadian saxophonist/flutist Jane Bunnett. Although the core of OKAN’s sound reflects the women’s Afro-Cuban heritage, it’s enhanced by the culturally diverse influences they have absorbed while living in Toronto. OKAN has just begun a Canada/U.S. tour which will continue into 2020.

For more information regarding the Stingray Rising Stars program, click here.

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