LATEST NEWS
May 26, 2010: Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues Announces 2010 WIJBF Artist Line-Up
THE WJB MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM
Posted: Friday April 17, 2009
Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues is pleased to announce the launch of our new membership campaign. Join the family, reap the benefits and support the development of jazz, blues and world music programming in our community. Click here for more information.
ARCHIVED NEWS
October 1, 2009: Calling All Vampires
June 16, 2009: Festival Workshops (Updated June 24, 2009)
May 27, 2009: Symphonies in a Lightbulb
April 17, 2009: WJB Membership Program
Vampire's Ball - Calling All Vampires
Posted: Thursday, October 1, 2009
Chris Kirby & the Marquee and Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues Present: VAMPIRE’S BALL
Join WJB and Chris Kirby & the Marquee to celebrate the spooky season with a VAMPIRE'S BALL on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at the Bella Vista. The celebration begins at twilight (8pm), doors open at 7pm. Sink your fangs into some funky R&B and soul serenades from Chris Kirby & the Marquee, with special guests the Horns of Justice! All vamps ages 19 to 1900 are welcome, and encouraged to don their most elaborate ceremonial garments.
Chris Kirby is a witty, spitey, pasty white kid from the woods whose style is simply addictive. His brand new recording “Vampire Hotel”, produced by Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar, Taj Mahal) is a funky mix of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues and Motown Soul, fused with a unique style of storytelling. Dubbed “East Coast R&B”, Vampire Hotel has already spawned a number #1 hit on the East Coast Countdown, and led Kirby on a successful tour of Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes in the summer of 2009.
Chris Kirby & the Marquee are St. John's young ambassadors of funk, soul and blues. Chris Kirby, Craig Follett, and Mark Marshall have performed on many prestigious stages and have won over crowds as far as Memphis TN. CK&M recently performed at Fredericton's Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival where they shared a bill with MonkeyJunk and Los Lobos, among others.
The Horns of Justice are: Susan Evoy (alto sax) Chris Harnett (tenor sax / flute), and John Duff (trombone). The section can usually be found bouncing and belting as part of the wildly popular reggae group, the Idlers. They also appear in a big way on Vampire Hotel, adding some extra spice to Kirby's east coast jambalaya.
Tickets for the VAMPIRE’S BALL are $17 (HST included) and are available at Fred’s Records or online here or chriskirbyonline.com. All tickets purchased online include a $1.25 service charge and come with a chance to win a PRIVATE house concert performance by Chris Kirby as well as free passes to the 2010 Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival.
FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS
Posted: Tuesday June 16, 2009
In addition to the world class programming at this years Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival, WJB is pleased to announce the addition of the following artist workshops. Workshops are interactive and open to the public of all ages. Musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments to the Kevin Breit workshop. No alcohol will be served at either location.
Cadence
When: Wednesday, July 15: 3:00PM – 4:30PM
Where: Yellow Belly Brewery & Public House, 3rd Floor (George Street)
Four men. Four microphones. No instruments. This is the formula for Canada’s celebrated vocal band, Cadence. Combining the lyricism of Stan Getz, the sophisticated harmonies of the Count Basie Big Band and the devil-may-care attitude of Louis Prima, this fabulous foursome has been entertaining audiences worldwide for over a decade with their innovative jazz arrangements, genre-hopping covers and eclectic originals. With an infectious energy and a good measure of wild stage antics, this cool cat rat pack of musical misfits is guaranteed to leave you shouting out for more. “One of the finest quartets to make an appearance in the a cappella scene,” Cadence continues to thrill its fans night after night by pushing a cappella music to new heights and demonstrating that the human voice has no limits.
Workshop Topic: Stage Presence, and Learning a Song by Rote
Cadence teaches singers one of their arrangements, incorporating tips and tricks on performance, sound production, stage presence, and how to add that "wow" factor.
Carlos del Junco
When: Thursday, July 16 – Time: 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where: Martini Bar (Downstairs)
Born in Havana, Cuba, del Junco immigrated with his family at the age of one. He bent his first note on a harmonica when he was fourteen, making his debut with his high school math teacher at a student talent night. In his early 20's del Junco was immersed in a visual arts career; he graduated with honours from a four year programme, majoring in sculpture the Ontario College of Art. Sculpture has definitely had an influence on his outlook on music: "Music is just a different way of creating textures and shapes."
Playing a ten hole diatonic harmonica, Carlos has developed the unique ability to play chromatically by using a recently developed "overblow" technique taught to him by jazz virtuoso Howard Levy. Overall, this approach to the diatonic harmonica, although much more difficult to achieve, is in many ways more expressive and communicative than the mechanized tone produced by the chromatic harmonica. Carlos is one of the few pioneers of this overblow method, bringing musical credibility to what has still been considered by many in the music industry - a fringe folk instrument. The sophisticated sound produced by del Junco is at once sensitive, soulful, and sexy while never forgetting the rawness inherent in blues music.
Workshop Topic: Harmonica Techniques
Cuban-born bluesman Carlos del Junco is one of very few that has learned the unique ability to play a ten-hole diatonic harmonica chromatically by using an overblow technique.
Kevin Breit
When: Friday, July 17: Time: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Where: The Martini Bar, Downstairs (George Street)
Kevin lists recordings and performances with the likes of Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, Susana Baca, Bill Frisell, k.d. lang, Cassandra Wilson, Holly Cole, Jeb Loy Nichols, and Dal Bello, among the varied artists that seek his innovative guitar style. Kevin's tremendous prowess on all things stringed combined with his knowledge of harmony, gives him a unique compositional voice. In 2004, he was honoured with the prestigious ‘Musician of the Year' Award from the Toronto Musician's Union. With the Sisters Euclid, he has recorded six CDs, and maintains a weekly residency at the Orbit Room, one of Toronto Canada's most prestigious jazz clubs.
Workshop Topic: Tightrope Walking Without a Net
Although Kevin doesn’t walk on an actual tightrope, he’s referring to the feeling/fear that musicians have of making mistakes and the limitations that places upon creativity. Kevin will share his thoughts about how he doesn’t allow this type of feeling to hinder his creativity or his physical ability to play his guitar to his utmost ability. What if you do fall off the tightrope? Well Kevin’s going to tell you how to land on your feet!!
Ken Whiteley Blues & Gospel Vocal Revue
When: Saturday, July 18: 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Where: Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle (565 Kenmount Road)
Ken Whiteley is one of Canada’s finest musical statesman. He has worked with blues and folk legends from Pete Seeger to Lonnie Johnson. He has performed at countless festivals in the United States and Canada including Philadelphia Folk Festival, Chicago Blues Festival, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver Folk Festivals to name a few. He has been called a “playing encyclopedia” for his depth and range of styles, covering everything from blues and gospel to children’s music. Now Magazine said his most recent CD of mostly original material, “Gospel Music Makes Me Feel Alright!”, “triumphs with impeccable arrangements and spot on delivery”.
Drawing from the deep wells of many traditions, Whiteley creates something fresh that communicates themes of freedom, love, spiritual aspiration and social comment. Whether performing solo or playing with any of his large circle of musical friends, as one critic has said, “with Ken Whiteley our enjoyment is virtually assured.”
Workshop Topic: Gospel Singing
"Do you like to sing? Ever thought it would be fun to one of those gospel backup singers?" Ken gives an overview of gospel music and will divide participants into soprano, alto, tenor/bass and will work up the harmonies to several songs. Interested participants can join Ken onstage for his Blues & Gospel Revue at the Elim Pentecostal Tabernacle on Sunday, July 19.SYMPHONIES IN A LIGHTBULB
Posted: Wednesday May 27, 2009
Jayme Stone--winner of the 2009 Juno Award for Best Music Album of the Year--sits down with Cathy Colman of All About Jazz to discuss both his approach to the banjo and latest recordings. Click here to check it out. You can catch Jayme this summer with Mansa Sissoko at the Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival.