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Bonnie Casey is an exuberant young artist who delivers passion through her music. Using music as a communication tool, she relates to her audience by putting her heart and soul into each song. She draws her influence from such artists as Etta James and Bob Marley, which contributes in part to her unique style. Bonnie has been performing for a number of years; gracing local stages such as: The Boathouse, The Flying Dog, and Wally's tavern. Her most recent performance was at the 2009 Miss World Canada competition where she was a national finalist. This artistic sensation is currently setting her debut album in motion and anticipates a 2010 arrival date.

Watch Bonnie's single

Colour Quest

Visit their website
Click to LISTEN to their CD
Click to VIEW their video clips

Colour Quest has just released its first EP on August 18, 2007 called “Party Up” which can be purchased online at iTunes and many other online music stores. “Party Up” has something for every one and, is a great addition to any music collection. The band has added two new members to its fold and is poise to explode on to the Canadian and international music scene. On November 24, 07 at The Sanderson Centre in Brantford, Ontario “Colour Quest”  opened for the number (1) one reggae artist in the world “Richie Spice.” This is something most bands dream of but for the group it was a reality. In March 07 the band was ask by the OPP to write and record a song for a DVD on bike safety. They came up with a spicy reggae jam called Safe When Yu Ride. The song is offered as a bonus track on their EP.

You can describe the band's music as an infectious blend of Soca, Reggae and R&B music. Colour Quest prides itself on putting on a great performance each time out. They will certainly leave you wanting more. To enter the world of "Colour Quest" is to take a journey through love, joy and peace through music. Come experience the journey.

Culture

Eduardo is a Cuban born multi-instrumentalist, that combines traditional Cuban music with afro rhythms

He graduated from the International Art School in Havana and In 1983 he started a career as a professor of music.

Eduardo's professional career began 1988 when he started performing in Cuban Clubs and Hotels. He was immediately recognized for his marvelous talent. His repertoire is very versatile. You can easily listen to it or dance to it and is a blend of traditional Cuban music Afro hythms.
In 2000 he successfully toured Spain and in 2004, as a music director of the group ‘LOS SOLES', they began their first Canadian tour.

May 2004 he released his first CD entitled CUBANISSIMO

FOCUS Magazine (Toronto) - had this to say about Errol:

The Skipah is a product of the courageous Maroons. He is a serious Rastaman. Errol's faith is the driving force in his life. It characterizes his being. With his sporting majestic dreadlocks, he pens plays and sings out his hunger for Justice and Equal Rights. He is certainly one of the hardest working entertainers in Canada today.

The Kitchener Record Newspaper (SHOWCASE) - had this to say:

Errol has a voice full of richness and is a masterful bass player. Errol sings of struggle, love and life, all with the same positive feeling. Not only does he write excellent songs, but he has also masterminded video renditions of his material. A performance by Errol and his band Injah transcends mere playing, taking you on an appealing versatile and spiritual trip through the heartbeat of reggae.

Nafoyo

Nafoyo is a local musician in Waterloo.  She attends the University of Waterloo where she studies Political Science and Philosophy. Nafoyo is originally from Kenya  but has lived in South Africa as well as Harriston, Ontario. 

Hailing from a musical family, Nafoyo has been singing as long as she can remember. She picked up the guitar a few years ago and is always looking for opportunities to increase her knowledge of the instrument.  Nafoyo believes the guitar to be an incredibly beautiful instrument that is simplistic enough for accompaniment, yet also wonderfully intricate with much to unlock. The acoustic sound Nafoyo has cultivated speaks of her soul and comes from her lived experiences. She is thankful for any opportunity to create sound and hopes that those who hear her music are moved.

Kitchener Church of God Male Choir

Lainey

Lainey is primarily a jazz singer who also enjoys performing broadway show tunes. She has been influenced by entertainers such as Lena Horne, Sara Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday. She has performed in two local musicals, "Aint Misbehaving" and "Bubbling Brown Sugar."  She now has her first CD entitled "Cry Me A River" and you can hear samples of the CD at

www.geocities.com/jazzylainey/Page6

Lorraine Peters has been singing from a young age. In 1996, Lift Jesus Higher CD, featured two songs written and performed by Lorraine, soon followed by her self titled CD, Knock which aired on radio stations across Ontario such as CHRI 99.1 Otttawa, FM102 Timmons, AM 96 Cambridge, 91.7FM etc.

Knock features a variety of styles of music and at times combines elements or rock, dance, rap, classical and traditional gospel. There is something for everyone to enjoy on this CD.

Lorraine has performed locally and internationally and her album was presented for a Juno nomination. She was nominated  for songwriter and song of the year in 2003 at the Maja Award. She has been featured in local newspaper articles such as The Cambridge Reporter and The KW-Record and has performed live on television shows such as Breakfast Television and CKCO-The Beat. Lorraine credits her love for God as her driving inspiration.

Organic Groove

Ricky Neu, Gerima Harvey-Fletcher and Kat van Lammeren

Organic Groove is an all-percussion group. They facilitate drum circles and
perform their own drumsongs and global rhythms on instruments from around the world to get you movin'. Organic Groove is Ricky Neu, Gerima
Harvey-Fletcher, Troy Larabie, Kat van Lammeren and, newest member, Jonny Riddim.

: : : organic groove thursday nite drum jam : : :
shake, bang, ding, slap!
thursday nites starting June 5 from 7:30-ish until 9-ish
in the gazebo
on the island
in victoria park, kitchener
drum under the stars, by the willow tree, over the water
create music in the moment with like-minded souls
it's all good
bring a djembe or percussion & join the fun
it's free & everyone is welcome
tell all your friends
tell a whole bunch
all ages

Interested in booking Organic Groove to lay down some funky drumming at your next event?
Contact Kat Email Organic Groove

Panwaves Steelband

Starlite Steelband

 

Videos:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LD26_r5AyZc     The Hammer 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7-4hBmRz-Y      Footsteps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TnV9pbwe9A It's Carnival

In 1994, Wendell Claxton took an interest in Steelpan. Being from the Caribbean, it seemed a natural choice for him to bring the music of the Caribbean to his life in Canada. During this time, a friend mentioned to him that a Trinidadian Steelpan group in London Ont. taught complimentary pan lessons on Sunday mornings. The timing was perfect, and Wendell loaded up his kids, Chauntay and Andre, and headed to London for 3 months of lessons.

Sometime later, his youngest daughter, Jenneisa joined the band. The Starlite Steelband was formed in 1997. Their first album entitled “Sweet and Simple” was made in 2005.

In 2006, Wendell contacted the Victoria Hills Community Centre to offer steelpan lessons at no charge. This was a means of continuing the gesture of appreciation that he received from the Steelpan band in London . Nirala, Richard and Jordon were dedicated students at this event and decided to join Starlite Steelband in 2006.

Currently, Starlite Steelband plays all over Ontario at events ranging from private parties to City parades. Their songs include: Spanish Eyes, Tiney Winey, It's Carnival, Never on a Sunday and many more.

519-570-2433
claxtonwendell@hotmail.com

The Jempress

Email The Jempress

Look out for the clothing line coming from “The Jempress” and her exclusive young designers. For a sneak preview of her exclusive line and more about “The Jempress”, visit her Myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/artofjempress or for bookings go to: http://www.special-mix.com

“The Jempress” has decided that to enter into the world of music, she will have to come original and with a unique sound that will make her recognisable, wherever she performs.

“The Jempress” spent most of her years growing up in Toronto , Canada and Kingston , Jamaica . Born to Jamaican parentage, she has always had a passion for reggae. But what makes her style so refreshing is her unique Canadian influences, which always creeps into her songs, giving her reggae style a smooth soulful, angelical feel. Asked by many in the media “What does she prefer, Reggae or RnB?” “The Jempress” proudly answers with a smile, "I am not handcuffed by genre”…

Not one for giving up or failing to try “The Jempress” excelled in school, athletics and roles that encouraged leadership and responsibilities. Her passion for music and performing, led to her joining an urban youth dance group called “ School of Mayhem ”. They performed at local events that brought more awareness to social issues like HIV and youth violence. “The Jempress” always loved to act and soon furthered here acting abilities by appearing on the hit TV program “Degrassi the Next Generation”. She was also given and starred the lead role in a play by prominent Toronto play write “Leon Saul” in his production “Sweet Sweet Karaila.”

In 2000 she was awarded a “CNML Piano Scholarship” and went on to win six 1st Place "CNML” trophies in their contemporary piano competitions. “The Jempress” recorded her first single Once To Die in Jamaica. She played most of the instruments, programmed the sounds, plus sang harmonies and lead vocals on this smooth soulful reggae song...

This year, 2009, “The Jempress” won the coveted “Canadian Reggae Music Awards” for “Top Female Newcomer.”

Tony Henry is a 17 year old dedicated hip hop dancer who brings diversity to the stage. Tony brings passion through his dancing and performs it with perfection. He communicates through movements; that's how Tony got inspired to name his dance crew The Movement. He has performed in many locations in Kitchener-Waterloo at special events/festivals, and showcase assemblys. Tony has been performing for nearly 4 years now and collaborate with sevral dance artists. His most recent performance was held at Kitchener City Hall, 2009 August 15th.

Titus

Titus is not your average hip hop artist. Most hip hop artists aren’t concerned with inspiring their listeners or painting a picture of hope for the future, but this seems to be where Titus shines and connects with his audience. Imagine an artist with the passion of a Tupac combined with catchy hooks and a lyrical content that comes from his own personal experiences. That would be crazy, right?! Well, that sums up Titus.

www.titushiphop.com

Waleed Abdulhamid Kush

Multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist and producer, Waleed Abdulhamid, has been an active member of the Toronto music scene, since his arrival in Canada in 1992. He demonstrates his versatility on guitar, bass, drums, flute, harmonica, kirin, bass kirin, darabhuka, marimba, balimbo, congas, bongos, djembe, dumbek and tama. He is known for his striking vocals, his innovative bass technique and his speed and precision on percussion.

Waleed has played, toured and recorded with the pop/rock band, The Claymen, African band, AfroNubians, world jazz artist, Mosa Neshama and reggae band, Solid Rock. Most recently Waleed has played and recorded with David Clayton Thomas from the Grammy award winning band “Blood, Sweat & Tears as well as with the Motown Legend Band “The Drifters.”  He was a founding member of award-winning African bands, Tikisa, Radio Nomad and Balimbo. He has recorded with jazz bass player Paul Novotny, most recently on a Honda promotion, and with jazz pianists David Johanns and Joe Sealy.

Waleed was born in Sudan in 1968. He began performing at the age of 6 when he appeared on a popular weekly children's television show and on a radio show in Sudan . Before leaving Sudan , he toured across his country, as well as Egypt , Syria , Kuwait and Emirate. Waleed was known for bringing traditional rhythms into popular music in Sudan . Many percussionists across the country emulated his unique percussion style. When he left Sudan at age 18, he performed, recorded and toured extensively, appearing at major music festivals in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Oslo, as well as in Finland and Iceland.

Waleed leads his award-winning African jazz band, Radio Nomad (Toronto African Music Awards, Band of the Year Award, 2000). He composed, arranged and produced all the material on Radio Nomad's first album, "Kalam Jamil," released in February 2000. He performs with Radio Nomad and as a freelance musician at venues and festivals across Canada . He has appeared at Canadian festivals such as Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, the Downtown Jazz Festivals of Toronto, Halifax and Vancouver, the Toronto Street Festival, Afrofest (Queenspark, Toronto), the CJRT Colour of Jazz Festival (Ontario Place), Rhythms of the World Festival and WOMAD (Harbourfront) of Toronto, the Vancouver Downtown Festival, the Atlantic Festival and the Hillside Festival. He has also written, composed and produced music for several TV shows (Discovery Channel, CBC, CFTO, History channel).

Waleed is also renown for his teaching abilities. He teaches a "World of Music" at Hart House - University of Toronto , Toronto District School Board where he has taught music in various high schools, Full Circle Productions and private tutorials. He has also facilitated many workshops in different music schools.

He recently directed the LET'S FIND A WAY Documentary which premiers on June 25, 2009 at the ReelHeART International Film Festival (RHIFF) in Toronto.  Read press release here.

Videos:

Bass Solo
Conga Solo
Percussion Solo
Marimba Solo
With Shawn Byfield

Sudanese Interpretation of Bach 1 of 7
Sudanese Interpretation of Bach 2 of 7
Sudanese Interpretation of Bach 3 of 7
Sudanese Interpretation of Bach 4 of 7
Sudanese Interpretation of Bach 5 of 7
Sudanese Interpretation of Bach 6 of 7
Sudanese Interpretation of Bach 7 of 7

Band website:  www.tranestudio.com
www.myspace.com/waleedabdulhamid

Winston WellCharged will perform a Drumming solo. This man's drum can sing.

He is from the band WellCharged which has been together for the past 15 years. They originate from Guelph, Ontario and are considered the number one Reggae Band of Ontario. Their new album Rasta Man A Lion is on the market and will be on sale at the LINK Picnic Festival.

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519-721-5746