Guest Music Bloggers » Festivals

Sones De Mexico Ensemble Chosen To Represent U.S. At The 2008 World Folk Song Festival In Beijing

sounni — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:18:47 +0000

Beijing has been the world’s focus of attention for international events in 2008: the Olympic Games in August, and the Paralympic Games in September. From October 3rd to 8th, Beijing will host the 2008 World Folk Song Festival, featuring performers from 25 different countries and 13 Chinese provinces.

The six-day extravaganza will be held at Beijing’s colossal National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA), a 600,000 sq. ft. facility nicknamed “The Egg”. A reflective pool in front of the majestic dome gives the illusion of a gigantic egg suspended in mid air. For one week, the NCPA will echo with songs from around the world and will introduce Chinese audiences to some of the finest folk music and traditions from around the world. Sones de Mexico Ensemble will perform live in concert in the National Centre for the Performing Arts Theatre on Monday, October 6th at 2:00pm. The group will give a performance presentation in the NCPA Conference Hall on Tuesday, October 7th, at 3:00pm.

Sones de Mexico Ensemble, a Mexican independent folk group and arts organization from Chicago, whose 2007 album “Esta Tierra es Tuya (This Land Is Your Land)” garnered both GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY nominations last year, received an unsolicited invitation from the Festival selection committee in late May.

Juan Dies, a co-founder of the group, said “I was just as surprised as anyone else that we would have been selected, especially when we discovered that we were the only group attending from the United States.”

Besides their “norteno” homage to Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land”, the group is mainly known for preserving a tradition of folk songs collectively known as “son”, from Mexico’s diverse cultural regions, performing them with a preservationist’s care on a collection of over 70 acoustic instruments.

In an interview for China Radio International, Chen Ziming, an expert on folk music and also a professor in the Central Conservatory of Music, said that the festival is a good chance to broaden people’s understanding of world folk music and to change the long-time focus solely on European music.

When asked about his selection criteria, Ma Wenjie, the organizing committee’s liaison to the American continent, spoke of “Yuan Fen”, a “predestined affinity”. He explained, “We use this word to describe two people who never know each other, and once for a very coincident opportunity they meet each other, then they become very good friends and do great things together.” Mr. Ma Wenjie found Sones de Mexico Ensemble on the Internet, and he felt a connection.

In response, Juan Dies said “I think we may write a new song when we meet and call it ‘Yuan Fen’.”

ABOUT SONES DE MEXICO ENSEMBLE CHICAGO: Sones de Mexico Ensemble Chicago is a premier folk music ensemble specializing in Mexican “son”, including the regional styles of “huapango”, “gustos”, “chilenas”,”son jarocho”, and more. The group formed in 1994 to keep the tradition of Mexican “son” alive in its many regional forms. As a performer and recording artist, the ensemble has developed and popularized many original arrangements of Mexican traditional songs. Some of its original work has experimented cross-culturally with symphonic, Irish, folk, C&W, jazz, and rock music, though never abandoning its roots in Mexican “son”. The ensemble is also committed to teaching and has a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to music education. All band members reach out to young and old with award-winning educational programs nationwide.
http://www.sonesdemexico.com

Jahnice+ Live @ Festival All Together

Guest Blogger — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:28:37 +0000

Here is a little invitation for you all:

A pinch of alternative rock mixed with soul music and Afro-Caribbean grooves. Add some classical flavors and a touch of electronic music.

Here are some of the spices that makes the Hybrid Soul recipe of JAHNICE+.

Come get a taste at the All Together Multicultural Festival.

WHERE?: At Square Cabot
(corner of Atwater and Ste-Catherine; Montreal, Canada)

WHEN?: Saturday September 27th, 2008 at 6:45pm sharp!

HOW MUCH?: FREE FREE FREE!

WHO?: Spread the word, bring your peoples as it’s a family affair!
I hope to see you all there.

Thank you,

Jahnice le Sonneur & Jahnice+

QUESTIONS?: Jahnice+ MySpace

Nightdancers Honored w/ Award Nomination & Performance Invitation

sounni — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:49:46 +0000

Contemporary Native American Flute Music Duo NightDancers Honored with an Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA) Nomination and Invitation to Perform at Indian Summer Festival 2008

NEW YORK, NY – - Contemporary Native American Flute Music Duo NightDancers has been honored with an Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA) nomination for their debut album entitled MONTANA CROSSINGS in the Native Heart category. Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA) recognizes and promotes the very best in commercially released Native American music created by both established and emerging artists. The ISMA Awards are presented live during the Indian Summer Festival held September 5-7 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the awards ceremony on Saturday, September 6, 2008. Entries are judged by a panel of respected professionals from across the music and entertainment industries. Winners are selected from 13 categories including Folk, Alternative Rock, Classic Rock, Hip Hop, Spiritual, Traditional Drum, Native Heart and more!

An invitation to perform live at Indian Summer Festival 2008 was extended to NightDancers for Sunday, September 7th, Harley Davidson Stage, at 5:30pm. NightDancers has accepted but prior commitments and scheduling/routing issues has Gera Clark remaining on tour in Ireland and France. John Sarantos will perform with very special guest artists Jan Seiden and Redbelly (David Martinka). Sarantos’ set will include songs from MONTANA CROSSINGS as interpreted by his musical guests.

MONTANA CROSSINGS – the debut studio recording from New York City based composer/flautists Gera Clark and John Sarantos is a well-crafted, melodic gem of an album featuring themes of exploration, transformation, interconnection and grace. Recorded at the world-famous AVATAR Studios in NYC by Jim Anderson, with mastering by Fred Kervorkian, CLARK and SARANTOS assembled a team which successfully captured the essence of NightDancers’ vision. MONTANA CROSSINGS contains 15 instrumental tracks featuring twenty-five flutes representing eleven flute makers from coast-to-coast. No overdubbing or sound samplers were used on the recording. Montana Crossings/GENRE: Native – New Age – World; FORMAT: Instrumental – Public Radio – Variety – World; MUSIC STYLE: Contemporary Native American Flute; STREET DATE: May 29, 2007.

ABOUT NIGHTDANCERS: New York City based composer/flautists Gera Clark and John Sarantos, known collectively as NightDancers, enjoy sharing instrumental flute music with a unique style that takes listeners on a musical journey . . . painting sound pictures with original contemporary Native American flute songs – successfully capturing the soothing, mystical and healing qualities which are the heart and soul of Native American flute music. Clark and Sarantos met while attending a Renaissance of the Native American Flute (RNAF) workshop in 2005, which eventually led to jamming together via speakerphones 1,000 miles apart. NightDancers was formed in 2006. Ms. Clark has been teaching flute in the tradition of her Native American flute mentors, Franc Menusan, John Rainer Jr. and R. Carlos Nakai. As one of the world’s premier Native flute teachers, Mr. Sarantos has facilitated contemporary Native American flute workshops from coast to coast for over 14 years. For 11 summers he has worked with Ken Light and R. Carlos Nakai at the Renaissance of the Native American Flute workshop in Montana and has written six songbooks for the native flute. He was also a contributor to Odell Borg’s recent book release, Native Spirit Song Book Volume Two. View the NightDancers Online Press Kit at: http://www.sonicbids.com/NightDancers

Visit the NightDancers Website at: http://www.nightdancersmusic.com

ABOUT INDIAN SUMMER FESTIVAL: Indian Summer Festival, North America’s largest American Indian cultural festival celebrating its 22nd anniversary, is dedicated to strengthening the American Indian community and educating the general public on the history and the unique and diverse cultures of the American Indian by providing a forum to celebrate and showcase American Indian traditions. For further information, visit http://www.indiansummer.org

ABOUT JAN SEIDEN: Jan Seiden’s moving and soulful eloquence speaks the language of the heart. Evocative music of flutes from the ancient Anasazi people and other more contemporary indigenous nations flow with themes of nature and global unity. First Place winner of the 2002 Musical Echoes Native American Cultural Gathering’s national flute players’ competition and 2006 recipient of an Individual Artist Award from the Maryland State Arts Council, Seiden has performed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and many other concert stages across the U.S. both solo and sharing stages with Grammy award winners Joanne Shenandoah, Mary Youngblood, Tito LaRosa, and with Nammy-winners Arvel Bird and Jeff Ball. WOODLAND WINDS, Seiden’s solo CD, was a 2004 nominee for the Indian Summer Music Awards. MEMORY OF TIME, her newest CD, debuted on the charts at #19 (New Age Reporter, April 2008). For further information, visit http://www.janseiden.com

ABOUT REDBELLY (DAVID MARTINKA): As a self taught musician David Martinka draws on nature, life and his inner self to create his songs. With a long family history of music and love for the Native American Flute, David Martinka is the first bridge to the courting, healing, and peaceful side of both the Native American Style Courting Flutes and the Native Slovakian Courting Flutes. LEGENDS OF TIME, Martinka’s solo CD, was a 2006 nominee for the Indian Summer Music Awards. For further information, visit http://www.redbellymusic.com

It’s Back to School for Nadia!

Nadiaworld — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:16:08 +0000

Campus Movie Fest 2008 – 2009 World Tour will feature Nadia’s original music. The tour is called the world’s largest student film festival and film students across the world will have access to Nadia’s music for use in their creative projects. “Love Song”, “Born To Be Wild”, “I Never Knew”, and “Tears Of Mine” were selected for CMF’s Library.

For more about Nadia and her music, visit www.nadiaworld.com.

Guitarist Robert Harris Releases City Lights

cherylhughey — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:56:10 +0000

Guitarist Robert Robert recently released his 2^nd smooth jazz CD, City Lights, which has been well received by his fans, and selling well at live events. One of his songs, “Monaco,” can currently be heard on smooth radio around the nation.

Harris grew up in Detroit, Michigan. It was there his musical aspirations started at the early age of 12 when he played trumpet through junior high and high school. At 16, he began playing guitar, and within a year was playing throughout the Detroit area.

Robert made his way to the Seattle area where he began touring. He spent several years touring the West Coast before heading south to Los Angeles. Within a year of being in L.A., Robert was signed with West Management/Record Company. Richard West, founder of the company, became his manager. West Production produced Harris’ first CD project. Robert spent the next 10 years in L.A. working as a studio musician, as well as arranging and producing projects. A natural talent for the engineering side of the recording business, Robert graduated to head engineer at the control panels. However, he missed performing and moved to Central Florida, where his band, the Robert Harris group, is now one performing.

Featured in the December 21, 2007 issue of the Orlando Sentinel, The Robert Harris Group is one of the premier Jazz / R&B groups in central Florida. In addition to their regular club dates, they have performed at the New Smryna Jazz Festival, the Winter Park Art Festival, The Seminole Jazz Series, and the Kissimmee Jazz Festivals, and recently The Daytona Jazz Festival where they opened for Walter Beasley, Spyro Gyra, and Jean-Luc Ponty. This year Robert opened for Mindi Abair at the Art and Music Festival at Lake Eola in Orlando, and Richard Elliot at the Winter Park Art Festival.

The group is currently scheduled for several national festivals next year. ie: Seabreeze Jazz Festival, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Berks Jazz Fest, Atlanta Jazz Festival, and more. The Robert Harris group has been asked back to perform at several concert events hosted by Orlando’s premiere smooth jazz station WLOQ 103.1, and Tampa Bays WSJT, and WGRV the Groove Florida’s east coast station.

A few years ago Robert had the privilege of playing with Kirk Whalum and Warren Hill’s band on Warren Hills smooth jazz cruise. You can also see Robert playing an acoustic duet with Peter White on the roberharrismusic.com photo page. His first CD, Cool Breeze. was featured on several radio stations around the world.

www.robertharrismusic.com

Jahnice+’s Hybrid Soul at International Nuits d’Afrique Festival, Montreal

Guest Blogger — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:22:29 +0000

On Friday July 18th, 2008 we invite you to come discover (or rediscover) Jahnice+’s Hybrid Soul at the 22nd edition of the International Nuits d’Afrique Festival.

-On the outdoor stage at Place Emilie Gamelin (corner of Berri and Ste-Catherine, behind the Berri metro, Montreal)

-Friday July 18th at 2:15pm sharp! (the festival won’t be waiting for late birds!lol)

-It’s FREE!

-Bring your peoples, your kids, your friends, your brothers and sisters as it is a family affair!

I hope to see you all there

Thank you

Jahnice le Sonneur & Jahnice+
www.myspace.com/jahnice

Fredrik Strand Halland to Play at Osøren Blues & Jazz Festival

Bluesbreaker — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 08:11:59 +0000

The FREDRIK STRAND HALLAND Band will be performing at The Osøren Blues & Jazz Festival June 29th 2008…For the English version click on this link: Orsoren Blues The show has two headliners. The main headliner for the show is none other then John Mayall with his BluesBreakers and The other Headliner is Bertine Zetlitz. Fredrik and The band will be playing with and supporting Bertine Zetlitz. Also Hungry John will be on the ticket along with a host of other acts too numerous to list here but you can see a partial list on the Flyer below or get the full list at The Osøren site. So if you would like to hear some great Blues by some by some of the best musicians anywhere in one of the worlds most beautiful Countries (Norway of course) then here is a great opportunity. Os is an interesting place. Os is situated in the southern part of Bergenshalvøya – The Bergen Peninsula – where the fjord and the coast meet. To the north Os borders on the city Bergen. Strong music traditions, with choirs and bands at a high level, have traditionally been the most important aspect of the cultural life at Os. A weekend at the end of June is the time for the blue notes. Osøren Blues & Jazzfestival has been arranged each summer since 1999, and has attracted an imposing group of musicians at a high national, and even international level. The blues artists are mostly brought to Os from other places, while the jazz artists are generally local.

For more news and information you can also check his fan site in America FSH.com and The Bands official MySpace.

For some reviews:

John Rhys Eddins of Blue-Power and his take on Fredrik and the Band BluePower review

Tor Ottesen of Blues World his take on and interview with Fredrik Halland 2006 interview

Previous posts: HiHat Presents Fredrik Strand Halland takes Europe by Storm!

Lorraine Reid Invited To Perform At The Montreal Reggae Festival

sounni — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:26:25 +0000

7-Time JUNO Nominated R&B/Neo-Soul singer Lorraine Reid has been invited to perform at the Montreal Reggae Festival on July 12, 2008. Known to many for her work with the dance group Temperance, Lorraine will be performing songs from her debut solo album “Lessons Learned,” to be released this summer. Lorraine is also scheduled to play the Michigan Reggae Festival this coming August.

Montreal Reggae Festival
July 12, 2008 12pm – 8pm
“Loto-Quebec” Stage
Old Port of Montreal
http://www.montrealreggaefest.com

The Montreal Reggae Fest’ has ranked among the top annual festivals held in Montreal each year. The 3-day weekend-long event is by far the largest of its kind in Canada, currently attracts over 30,000 people with fans traveling from across the globe to attend.

Lorraine Reid pours her soul into the mic every time she steps on stage to sing. While recording dance music for Temperance, Lorraine’s heart as always been with soul and rhythm and blues. Lorraine attributes her unique vocal style to the influences of Billie Holiday, Sade, Sarah Vaughan and Whitney Houston and primarily enjoys listening to vocal jazz, rhythm and blues, and reggae. While with Temperance, Lorraine achieved many successes on top of her Juno Nominations, including six top ten singles on the Canadian National Dance Chart and a Much Music Video Award for Best Dance Video. She also toured extensively throughout North America, the U.K. and Europe.

http://www.musicdish.net/lorrainereid/
http://www.myspace.com/lorrainereid

SUPAJAM AND VINCE POWER’S ‘FAST TRACK TO BENICASSIM’ COMPETITION GOES TO THE PUBLIC VOTE

zestpr — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:16:38 +0000

SUPAJAM AND VINCE POWER’S ‘FAST TRACK TO BENICASSIM’ COMPETITION GOES TO THE PUBLIC VOTE
SUPAJAM/FASTRACK TO BENICASSIM HEINEKEN – NOW YOU DECIDE!
Having launched to a phenomenal response on the 21^st May through www.supajam.com/fasttrack, the ultimate unsigned band competition ‘Fast Track to FIB Heineken’ is all set to enter its second phase. After ploughing through over 1,000 entries from unsigned bands across Europe the SupaJam judges have decided on the shortlist for the 2008 ‘Fast Track to FIB Heineken’ and this summer, one very special band or act will get the chance to play alongside festival legends Morrissey, Gnarls Barkley, My Bloody Valentine and many more at this year’s Benicassim Music Festival from 17^th to 20^th July 2008.
The next stage of the competition takes place between the 13^th and 20^th June at www.supajam.com/fasttrack…and this is where you come in. The public will rate the 30 shortlisted entries online and the top five acts will be announced on 21^st June. The five finalists will be invited to perform at Vince Power’s world famous venue the Pigalle Club in Piccadilly, London on July 1^st. At the final, a panel of music industry experts from Live Nation, BBC 6 Music and more, led by Vince Power will judge each performance on the night and then decide who will win the gig of a lifetime!
The competition element is not solely limited to the bands as EVERYBODY who votes between the 13^th and 20^th June will be entered into a prize draw to win one of five pairs of Benicassim Festival tickets.
SupaJam are also delighted to announce a media partnership between Apple’s QuickTime Media Player and ‘Fast Track to FIB Heineken’. From the 15^th to 20^th June ‘Fast Track to FIB Heineken’ will be one of five QuickTime Media Player ‘Quick Hits’ receiving over 1m views daily.
The competition is also able to announce that each act who appears in the public vote on www.supajam.com/fasttrack will have their entry track globally released by iTunes.
So go to www.supajam.com/fasttrack and make your favourite unsigned band’s dreams come true. You never know, you might just win the chance to see them there yourself…
-ENDS-
Notes to the Editor
· The Final takes place at the Pigalle Club, Piccadilly, London on July 1^st 2008
· Influential and respected industry panel to judge the final including Vince Power, Julie Cullen (Presenter, 6Music/ BBC News24) and Kelly Chappell (Promoter, Live Nation)
· Everybody who votes is entered into the prize draw for one of five pairs of FIB Heineken Festival tickets
· The winning act will be invited to travel to the FIB Heineken Festival in Benicassim and appear onstage between 17^th and 20^th July 2008
· Each act appearing on the www.supajam.com/fastttrack competition page will
automatically have their track globally released and promoted on iTunes
· Fast Track to FIB Heineken is a brand name in association with Vince Power Music Group and www.supajam.com
· www.supajam.com is the new social media website for young people (14-24) to discover and share content from anywhere on the web. From the biggest online destinations to the most obscure blog, from YouTube to My Space, www.supajam.com surfaces the best stuff as voted on by our users.
· Rules of Entry can be found at www.supajam.com/fasttrack
For further information please contact:
Print/General: Danny Payne
Online: Ben Allen
Radio /TV: Lucius Yeo
Zest PR
danny@zestpr.com ben@zestpr.com lucius@zestpr.com
Tel. 0044 (0)207 734 0206
www.zestpr.com

NEW GENERATION ARTS FESTIVAL 2008

zestpr — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:03:45 +0000

Already renowned as the vanguard of creative content, the New Generation Arts Festival (NGA) notoriously champions the independent cause of showcasing the brightest emerging graduate talent in the arts world today. Previously supported by a host of celebrities including model Erin O’Connor, social commentator Germaine Greer, comedian Frank Skinner, artist Anthony Gormley and author Philip Pullman, this year the New Generation Arts Festival, organised by Birmingham City University and supported by Arts Council England, celebrates youth, diversity and the rise of digital culture.
The topic of this year’s festival is Digital Utopia, where the exploration of the digital theme takes centre stage through a dynamic blend of celebrated talent and hotly tipped emerging artists on the verge of international success. Pushing the boundaries of innovation, 2008 will feature over 35 massive performances, exhibitions and special features including exhilarating collaborations with musician Julian Lloyd Webber, acclaimed digital artist Jane Prophet, applauded curator Mona Casey, and the extravagant up and coming VJ/DJ club collective Project X Presents. The eminent Big Debate, with a panel of renowned guests, chaired by the BBC’s technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones, will explore whether the digital revolution equals More Power or More Powerless?
A centre piece of the festival is the Mobile Phone Portraiture which seeks to engage the local Birmingham community by inviting them to submit mobile phone pictures of “Life in Birmingham”. The photo gallery will be exhibited on the BBC Big Screens across the city alongside ‘Billboard Narratives’ supported by the Betty Trask winning novelist Nicola Monaghan. By posting storylines on billboards located around the city commuters will be encouraged to contribute their ideas and responses via text message which will be developed by a network of writers, allowing members of the public to fashion their own unique story board.
One of Europe’s largest showcases for graduate talent, the New Generation Arts Festival 2008, organised by Birmingham City University, kicks off on the 5^th June 2008 and is jam packed with over 16 days of digital art based euphoria. The festival aims to be the ultimate platform for showcasing new graduate talent alongside established names within the framework of the modern digital era – once again reinforcing Birmingham’s status as a centre of culture, creativity and digital innovation.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Jem Bahaijoub or Ian Roberts
Zest PR
Tel. 0044 (0)207 734 0206
Jem@zestpr.com / Ian@zestpr.com
Notes to the editor:
The New Generation Arts Festival is supported by Arts Council England.
Part of Birmingham City University, Birmingham Institute of Art and Design is the largest centre for art, design and media education in the UK outside London. It’s rated as one of the top ten art and design institutions in the country , providing education for over 4,000 students on five major campuses located across the city centre, including the internationally recognised School of Jewellery and the Department of Art. The Institutes state of the art facilities include a Milo motion control rig, the first of its kind in an education establishment. This together with the support of Mario Miniceillo , a nationally recognised Head of Visual Communication , confirms the University’s commitment to provide the best in cutting edge education. Recently awarded Media Skillset Academy status, Birmingham City University is the only University in the region to be awarded this prestigious recognition , reinforcing the University’s commitment to industry led, creative training.
The University’s substantial performing arts provision also includes Birmingham Conservatoire, a specialised music college of international stature which trains musicians to the highest standard in performance and composition and Birmingham School of Acting, one of the UK’s leading vocational drama training schools.
Based in the heart of the city centre only a few minutes’ walk from Symphony Hall, Birmingham Conservatoire has some of the finest performing and teaching facilities of its kind, including the renowned 520-seat Adrian Boult Hall, 150-seat Recital Hall customised for performance with live electronics, six state-of-the-art recording studios and a specialised music library. The Conservatoire educates and trains musicians to professional standards in solo performance, composition, early and chamber music, orchestral playing, jazz, community music and musicology. Additional courses are provided through collaboration with partner faculties and other institutions. Research is focused on the study of music in performance and there is a dedicated Centre for Composition and Performance with Technology. A thriving Junior Department provides tuition in classical music, jazz, chamber music, music of the north Indian subcontinent and A-Level studies for 200+ students aged 3 to 18. Birmingham Conservatoire is a part of Birmingham City University. For further information, visit: www.conservatoire.bcu.ac.uk
The National Academy of Writing, part of Birmingham City University, is an exciting new departure – a dedicated writing school set up by internationally renowned writers. This Specialised training facility supports emerging writers with the chance to develop their talents supported by leading writers who deliver masterclasses and lectures alongside individual tutorials. The aim of the founders is that the Academy will become a showcase for national and international writing talent.