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Posts Tagged ‘Bluebird North Series’
BLUEBIRD NORTH:First 2011 Show – Thursday, February 3rd, 2011
The Songwriters Association of Canada presents
BLUEBIRD NORTH
Where Writers Sing and Tell
Live in the nation’s capital!
Thursday, February 3rd, 2011
The LiVE Lounge
128 York Street, Ottawa
7:30 pm
Tickets available at the door the night of the show
($15/$12 for SAC members)
Featuring
Annabelle Chvostek
Anders Drerup
Q the Romantic Revolutionary
Brock Zeman
Bluebird North is an intimate, interactive musical showcase that brings together some of Canada’s most inspiring songwriters to share their songs and stories. OnFebruary 3rd, Bluebird North is presenting a diverse group of Canadian songwriting and spoken word talent in the nation’s capital. Ottawa is proud to present an amazing group of artists including: Annabelle Chvostek (former member of the Wailin’ Jennys), Anders Drerup (portraying Gram Parsons in tribute musical Grievous Angel), Q the Romantic Revolutionary (spoken word through seductive tones), and Brock Zeman (gritty Americana style singer/songwriter). Be sure not to miss the Ottawa performance in this intimate setting.
Bluebird North: Where Writers Sing and Tell is produced by Amanda Rheaume for the Songwriters Association of Canada. For more information on the S.A.C.’s mandate, activities and membership programs please visit www.songwriters.ca
Bluebird North is endorsed by the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
Annabelle Chvostek made her professional debut with the Canadian Opera Company at the age of 7, and has been performing ever since. After two and a half years of recording and touring with Juno-winning folk/roots harmony trio The Wailin’ Jennys, Annabelle released her much-anticipated solo album, Resilience. The release picked up a nomination for Contemporary Album of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards and received critical accolades around the world. In addition to pursuing her solo music career, the multi-instrumentalist works in a variety of other disciplines. Immediately prior to joining the Jennys, she toured parts of Europe with her new media performance piece “The Automated Prayer Machine,” a collaboration with Anna Friz. She composed music for the Drastic Action Dance company piece Line of Descent, which debuted in New York in 2008, and is now in production scoring a feature length experimental documentary by Tamara Vukov.
Anders Drerup has jumped quickly from the streets of his home town in Carp, Ontario, to the reaches of Canada and beyond. The 27 year old carries an impressive resume in formats ranging from reggae to classic country. He has logged tours of Europe, Australia, Cuba and Canada and has recorded in premier studios around the world. In addition to his first instrument, guitar, Anders also plays mandolin, steel guitar, banjo, harmonica, piano, bass and dobro. He got his start playing clubs in Ottawa, but soon started to catch the interest of musicians far his superior. After playing and recording with the Elmer Ferrer Band out of Cuba, Anders began to focus on his solo material, and released “Songs for the Common Man”, an album with no stylistic boundaries. Most recently, Anders has been portraying Gram Parsons inGrievous Angel, a musical tribute to the American country-rock pioneer.
http://www.myspace.com/andersdrerup
Q the Romantic Revolutionary aka Queeverne Kirk was born on the island of Tobago, where she developed a love for writing poetry. Queeverne began performing poetry at the age of 19 in Toronto, and continued her love for performance in Ottawa. During her years in the Nation’s Capital Q was named the winner of Ottawa’s 2005 CBC Poetry Face Off, and further solidified herself as the CBC’s poetry Queen by winning the 2007 All Star Edition. She has gone on to participate in such events as the Jill Scott CD Launch, and the Alanis Morissette Tribute Concert. Since her Poetry Face Off Queeverne has created a Spoken Word workshop (“On Cue”) for high school students and conducted her classes throughout various schools across Toronto and Ottawa. Q the Romantic Revolutionary is a grounded individual who continues to spread her message through her seductive tones.
Over the past five years Brock Zeman has elbowed his way into the independent music world. The 28 year old singer-songwriter of Carleton Place, Ontario has already released seven albums and toured Canada and the US extensively averaging 250 dates a year. His signature roots style has been praised by critics for the maturity of his vocals, the depth of his storytelling and his impressive live performances. He was first discovered by Canadian Country Hall of Famer Keith Glass (Prairie Oyster) who went on to produce his first four releases. By the time of his fifth released Brock was picked up by Busted Flat records out of Kitchener Ontario, and in the past five years Brock has become known as one of the most prolific, hard working artists to fly under the radar.
http://www.brockzeman.com
http://www.myspace.com/brock_zeman
Bluebird North Songwriter’s Series – Thursday, December 2nd – CONTEST!
The Songwriters Association of Canada presents
BLUEBIRD NORTH
Where Writers Sing and Tell
Live in the nation’s capital!
Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
LIVE Lounge at 128 George Street in the Market
7:30 pm
Tickets available at the door the night of the show
($15/$12 for SAC members)
Featuring:
David Bradstreet
Jen Lane
Andy Swan
Ken Whiteley
Bluebird North is an intimate, interactive musical showcase that brings together some of Canada’s most inspiring songwriters to share their songs and stories. On December 2nd, Bluebird North is presenting a diverse group of Canadian songwriting talent in the nation’s capital. Ottawa is proud to present an amazing group of artists including: David Bradstreet (writer of Renaissance - a hit for Canadian icon, Valdy), Jen Lane (Prairie Music Award nomination at just 17), Andy Swan (songs covered by many artists, including Kathleen Edwards, Jim Bryson, and Greenfield Main), and Ken Whiteley (productions have sold over 8 million copies). Be sure not to miss the Ottawa performance in this intimate setting.
Bluebird North: Where Writers Sing and Tell is produced by Amanda Rheaume for the Songwriters Association of Canada. For more information on the S.A.C.’s mandate, activities and membership programs please visit www.songwriters.ca For more information on the OCFF’s mandate, activities and membership please visit www.ocff.ca
Bluebird North is endorsed by the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
David Bradstreet is best known for his song ”Renaissance” (“Let’s Dance That Old Dance Once More”) – a hit for Canadian icon, Valdy. He has been recognized for his work as a singer/songwriter, composer and producer, twenty-one albums bearing his name; a high profile Juno Award early in his career; three subsequent Juno nominations and music credits including a Gemini nomination; film and television soundtracks and scoring; talent discovery and record production for numerous artists from Jane Siberry to Colleen Peterson and Nancy Simmonds. He has toured extensively and is a veteran of many coffeehouses, concert halls and folk festivals.
Saskatoon’s Jen Lane earned her first Prairie Music Award nomination at just 17 and her first Western Canadian Music Awards nod at 24, and now, with the release of For the Night, Lane is finally claiming her rightful place among the elite of Canadian roots country singer songwriters. Produced and mixed by Steven Drake (the Odds) in Vancouver For the Night presents a classic mix of indie folk and roots, showcasing the storytelling and beautiful voice of this young singer-songwriter. Jen’s also been busy writing, recording, touring and showcasing events like Breakout West 2010, South by Southwest in Austin, TX (08/09), and North by Northeast in Toronto (08/09).
After growing up on the mean streets of Toronto, Andy Swan lived in rural PEI for the last couple of years before resettling in Ottawa recently. He has recorded many albums over the last 15 years, most with Ottawa based label Kelp Records, and has recently been putting out his albums for free on his website. His last CD, entitled ‘Andy Swan’s Ottawa’ received glowing reviews from national press such as the National Post
and The Globe and Mail. His songs have been covered by many artists, including Kathleen Edwards, Jim Bryson, and Greenfield Main.
Ken Whiteley is a Canadian roots music legend. His musical journey has taken him from jug band, folk and swing to blues, gospel and children’s music. Among numerous accolades, he has won a Canadian Folk Music Award, Genie Award for Best Original Song in a Canadian film, and lifetime achievement awards from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and Mariposa Folk Festival. Ken has been nominated for 7 Juno awards and 13 Maple Blues Awards and as a producer of over 125 recording projects, Ken’s productions have garnered 10 Canadian Gold and Platinum records, 4 American Gold records, 22 Juno and 2 Grammy nominations, and sold over 8 million copies.
Ottawa Tonite is very excited to send YOU to this final Bluebird North show of the 2010 season with 2 FREE TICKETS.
Simply send us a comment on this listing, and tell us why you like to attend LIVE music performances in Ottawa. The winner will be chosen at random and notified on November 30th.
Good luck!
The October Bluebird North Series – Where Writers Sing and Tell
The Songwriters Association of Canada presents
Live in the nation’s capital!
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010
Library and Archives Canada
395 Wellington Street, Ottawa
7:30 pm
Featuring
Miss Emily
Harrison Kennedy
David Leask
Ann Vriend
Bluebird North is an intimate, interactive musical showcase that brings together some of Canada’s most inspiring songwriters to share their songs and stories. On October 13th, Bluebird North is presenting a diverse group of Canadian songwriting talent in the nation’s capital. Ottawa is proud to present an amazing group of artists including: Miss Emily (Canadian Open National Singing Competition winner at age 17), Harrison Kennedy (three-time Juno nominee), David Leask (2009 OCFF’s “Songs From The Heart” winner), and Ann Vriend (over 12,000 album sales as an independent artist). Be sure not to miss the Ottawa performance in this intimate setting.
If that’s not enough, the OCFF will be showcasing the grand prize winners of the 16th annual Songs From the Heart songwriting competition, sponsored by Galaxie, Your Musical Universe.
The 2010 winners are Ambre McLean for “Me, My Heart, And The Moon” http://www.ambremclean.com and Louis Philippe Robillard for “Le Pommier” http://www.louisphilipperobillard.com
ABOUT THE PERFORMERS
With an ironclad backbone and a ladylike approach to life’s little obstacles, Miss Emily forges together her very own brand of vocally intense soulful tunes. She’s gone from living out of her car to playing 250 shows a year in Eastern Ontario alone. Heading out on a new venture, Miss Emily will release her debut record in 2010. Her debut
single, ‘The Sell-Out’, is a desire to venture beyond the stereotypical confines of the female singer-songwriter genre. The Prince Edward County, ON native blends the meaty, gritty, old-school soul music sound with the more aggressive attitudes associated with rock.
Original “Chairmen of the Board” member and successful solo artist Harrison Kennedy possesses a voice like dry tinder waiting to ignite. Harrison was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and relocated to Detroit in the early 1960’s where he would eventually help form and enjoy a successful career with “Chairmen of the Board”. Since his return to Canada, Harrison has been nominated for three Juno Awards and seven Maple Blues Awards. He also received the Reverend John C. Holland Arts and Culture Award in 1998. As a result of his unique sound, Harrison has built up a solid reputation as a rhythm and blues veteran.
Originally from Edinburgh, Scotland, David Leask is a powerful performing songwriter, who has built an artistic bridge between the influences of his birthplace and the fresh possibilities of his newfound Canadian home to produce three critically-acclaimed CD’s and numerous international songwriting awards. Songwriters Magazine called David, “the most consistent Canadian songwriting competition winner.” Recipient of the Mississauga Performing Artist of the Year Award and 2009 OCFF’s “Songs From The Heart” winner, David Leask’s music is a gritty blend of alt-folk and Celtic-soul.
http://www.davidleask.com
http://www.myspace.com/davidleask
Ann Vriend has spent the past three years delivering her unique brand of Soul/Americana to thrilled audiences around the world, headlining at festivals as far away from her hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, as Berlin and Australia. With her soaring vocals, impressive songwriting ability, and instrumental prowess, Vriend is truly an all in one package. Dubbed the “Aretha Franklin of Americana” Vriend connects alt-country and folk to soul and blues in a style all her own. Her natural, often humorous rapport with her audiences, combined with her stunning live show and exquisite songwriting has enabled Vriend to sell over 12,000 albums off the stage independently. She is currently finishing her next studio album, which she will tour in the 2010/2011 season.
www.annvriend.com
www.myspace.com/annvriend
SONGS FROM THE HEART WINNERS
Ambre McLean has created a sound that is entirely her own incorporating a number of her influences including jazz, country/blues folk and pop. Ambre linked up with VIA rail this summer as part of VIA’s ‘Musician on Board” program and is currently on tour in western Canada, promoting the release of her new album “Murder At The Smokehouse” (Oct 2010, Busted Flat Records)
The charismatic Louis-Philippe Robillard released his first album, Le Café des oiseaux, in January 2010 and has since been flying like a bird. His contemporary folk rock brings you deep into his picturesque universe. Going from upbeat rhythms to deep emotions, Louis-Philippe overwhelms the listener with his honesty and presence.
Tickets available at Compact Music and Ottawa Folklore Centre or at the door the night of the show.
($15/$12 for SAC members and OCFF Conference Delegates)
Bluebird North is endorsed by the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.
Bluebird North’s May Season Finale: Bringing songwriters’ work to the listening audience
You don’ have great records without great songs, and for that you need great songwriters.
The Songwriters Association of Canada (SAC), knows better than most just how many wonderful songwriters there are in this country. Some people write songs that others make famous, and others write songs that they perform themselves.
To expose more people to the art of songwriting, SAC has created Blue Bird North, a nationwide series of songwriters’ circles where singer-songwriers bring their work to life in intimate performance spaces.
Creative video work special thanks to Brandon Brule
Special thanks as well to Marie-Chantale Labbé-Jacques and the NAC Fourth Stage
The February Bluebird North Series – Artists sharing stories and songs
It’s commonly said that the sad songs are the best and I doubt you would have found any argument at the NAC’s fourth stage during Ottawa’s February Bluebird North show. This being my first Bluebird concert I didn’t know really what to expect.
Matthew de Zoete, Kelly Prescott, Steve Marriner
Played in by new host and local songstress Amanda Rheaume, folk and blues artists Lynne Hanson, Kelly Prescott, Matt De Zoete and Steve Marriner took to the stage and gave the crowd a wonderful acoustic set of their work.
Amanda Rheaume, all photos by Bryson Masse
The musicians performed one after another, each taking time to say a few words about the song and its inspiration. As in all good folk stories, the topics meandered from tragic to hilarious and often the two overlapped. The evening was put on by the Songwriter’s Association of Canada, so there was an emphasis on the “talky parts”. But, since I like that kind of stuff, it never took away from the show. Each of the musicians explained how they found motivation in their travels and relationships.
Of the idea behind her song More of the Same, Hanson told the story of her adopted grandfather and the loss of his wife to Alzheimer’s disease. The amazing raw imagery in the lyrics really grabbed me.
De Zoete looked to the past and his Dutch heritage, Prescott wrote about her relationships and Marriner even fit in an amusingly scathing song about a woman so bad he didn’t even have to date her. The take away message was clearly that if you want to keep a clean reputation, don’t piss off a musician.
I really dug the informal format. The full stage allowed the performers to converse and share jokes. While the theme of the music that night seemed to border more on the depressing, the laughs didn’t stop. It didn’t have the rehearsed feeling stage banter often has when you’re watching a group that you know has done this fifty times before.
If I could ask for more, all I would need would be more of the artists playing with each other’s songs. As when it happened, it was fantastic.
The night was special and unique and this is what will bring me back to future Bluebird North performances.
Kelly Prescott
Matt De Zoete
Lynne Hanson
Special thanks to Jennifer Covert & Marie-Chantale Labbe from the NAC
