Article: The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer put on killer performance at the Toronto Star
Check out the fun The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer and I had while making a raucous at the Toronto Star! Big thanks to Ben Rayner
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.96 – Day Dreaming
This Sunday’s jam is coming from the soulful side of things. “Day Dreaming” is one of Aretha Franklin’s breakout hits off of her 1972 Grammy Award winning album, “Young, Gifted & Black”. This track coos from start to finish and […]
And The Award Goes To…
SAY SOMETHIN’!!!
I am very happy to announce that Say Somethin’ won the 2015 Western Canadian Music Award for Urban Recording of the Year!
The Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer also won awards for […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.95 – Lover Man
“Oh Lover Man, where can you be…..?” pours out of Chet Baker’s trumpet like sweet honey. His beautiful lyrical interpretation can’t help but keep the listener hooked to the emotional content of this song, making it a favourite of mine. […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.94 – I Can’t Get Started
Louis Hayes’ musical career spans over four decades and has helped to shape the sound of jazz forever. His brand of drumming is driving, evocative and really swings. From a young age he has played with jazz greats such as […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.93 – Look At Me
I have three words for you: Cécile. McLorin. Salvant.
Don’t let the glasses fool you. Cécile McLorin Savant is a fantastic, serious student of music. You can’t not hear that when you listen to her new album “For One To Love”. […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.92 – Place To Be
Hiromi Uehara has been stunning audiences with her impeccable musicianship for years. She may look quiet and demure, however, she is as fierce as it gets. I believe that she is the best kind of musician; gifted with extreme heart, […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.91 – In Your Own Sweet Way
There is something I find incredibly beautiful about the standard, “In Your Own Sweet Way”. I can’t decided if it’s the quirky and lovely melody or if it’s the crafty tonal shifts that happen throughout the piece or the dear […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.90 – You Go to My Head
Two masters, one song…Joe Pass and Ella Fitzgerald recorded together often as a duo. This particular version was recorded in 1973 on their album called “Take Love Easy” which is a beautiful collection of standards that I highly recommend checking […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.89 – Sweet Home
This summer I’ve had the privilege to tour across Canada and make music with some mighty fine people. There is something about being on the road that is fantastic and invigorating, especially during the summer. However, there is always a […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.88 – I Loves You Porgy
I recently watched a documentary about Nina Simone called “What Happened Miss Simone?”. It highlighted Nina’s beautifully complicated, brilliant mind and fiery presence. Simone’s personality is as deep, multi-faceted and moving as her music. In a way it seems music […]
Photos: Saskatchewan Jazz Fest with Harp Axe
Photos from the Saskatchewan Jazz Festival with The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer 🙂
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Sunday Slow Jam Vol.87 – Blue in Green
Today’s offering makes me think of raindrops, warm sunshine and rainbows reflected on walls. There is something special about this ballad “Blue in Green” that makes me feel warm and fuzzy. For me, hearing Kenny Werner play it takes it […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.86 – People Like You
Wow, we made it. The 2015 Vancouver International Jazz Festival is officially over and what an inspiring, creative and jam-packed time that was. I find myself savouring the shows that I was lucky enough to see and pining over the […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.85 – As Surely As I Stand Here
Tower of Power is the funkiest and tightest band that you will ever have the pleasure of hearing. Known for their wall of sound, virtuosic solos, percolating bass lines and bubbling grooves they have perfected their brand of Oakland funk […]
SHOW: The Acapella Rumble: What It Is vs TriVo
The gloves are off when East Van Soul Quartet What It Is challenges World Music Heavyweights Trivo to an Acapella Rumble. Join your host Wayne “Sound Off” Stewart ringside for a knock down drag out acapella bloodbath. Featuring, on team […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol. 84 – Winin’ Boy Blues
Listening to the first 10 seconds of this track you may already notice that Eric Revis likes to colour outside the lines. This rendition of Jelly Roll Morton’s ‘Winin’ Boy Blues’ immediately evokes New Orleans with its swampy beat, big […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.83 – So In Love
It’s summer time in Vancouver which signals the beginning of The Vancouver International Jazz Festival! This year’s festival is stacked with some of music’s BEST! This week I’d like to feature a tune by the skilled composer, arranger, collaborator and […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.82 – Never
The Roots have been considered hip hop pioneers since the release of their breakthrough album “Things Fall Apart”. Fifteen years later, they are now easily recognized as The Tonight Show’s house band and have earned the right to be called […]
Artist at Home
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of hanging out with the fantastic photographer, traveller and human, Christopher Edmonstone! He is doing this amazing series called ‘Artist at Home’ and […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.81 – Drad Dog
It was Miles Davis’ birthday this week, he would have been 89 years old. I often like to wonder what sorts of things he would have done if he were still alive. Who would he have collaborated with…Hendrix, Run DMC, […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.80
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of connecting with Chance Hayden, a great musician and performer based in Oregon. He was somewhere in Europe on tour with Jarrod Lawson and we were swapping albums and sharing stories via […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.79 – The Thrill is Gone
Real, deep, humble…are just a few of the words that can be used to describe the great B.B. King. It’s hard to believe that he has played his last lick, sung his last riff and that Lucille will never sounds […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.78 – Weak
This week’s Sunday Slow(ish) Jam does push the bpm a little to qualify as a true SSJ, but it’s too good not to share. It’s an intelligent, hip arrangement of the classic r&b tune, “Weak” by SWV as performed by […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.77 – Hang On In There
This week’s Sunday Slow(ish) Jam although almost 40 years old still manages to speak to the political climate in our world, in North America, in Ferguson, in Baltimore…This song reminds me that we still need music to express the rage […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.76 – You Must Believe in Spring
When I was going to music school my friend and I would marvel and sigh as we listened to “Together Again” (the second album featuring duets by Bill Evans and Tony Bennett). We’d often wonder just how the album could […]
“Say Somethin’ ” Music Video Premiere!!!
I am so excited!!!
The video explores what happens when things like ego, pride, fear and selfishness prevent us from connecting with others in a genuine way. Lovers, strangers, first dates, the lonely, the seekers… all are struggling to find […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.75 – Spanish Phases
Technical wizard, virtuosic and masterful are just a few words to describe Stanley Clarke. Check him out on “Spanish Phases for Strings and Bass” and you will hear why he is one of the world’s best musicians. I love the […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.74 – Barakaat
Today’s offering is a study, a beautiful and subtle demonstration of containment and focus of groove and dynamics. No one over played, space was just as much a member of this trio and everything percolated in a satisfying way. I […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.73 – Infant Eyes
Jazz legend and great thinker Wayne Shorter once said, “You need resistance to take off.” He was comparing the struggle of making music, pushing boundaries of self and art to that of an airplane preparing to fly. He eloquently affirmed that […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.72 – Looking For Another Pure Love
I fall in love with this melody every time I hear it, perhaps it’s how and rises, or it’s the way Stevie Wonder sings it…or both. It breaks my heart and soothes it all at the same time. This is […]
Strong Sessions Live!
I’m really looking forward to being a part of this show!!!
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.71 – Spring Has Sprung!
Happy spring! I am always surprised and relieved when spring is here and dark days and winter rain (or snow) are behind us. Hopefully you are can embrace the freshness of the season with lightheartedness and none of the angst […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.70 – I Love Music
Ahmad Jamal is a master of contrast. He can pull you in with cool and easy licks and then hit you with technical ferocity and dynamic shifts all within the same musical phrase. I love the way he takes his […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.69 – Bow Wow
It’s official. Coastal Jazz has just announced that Snarky Puppy is coming back to Vancouver as part of the Jazz Fest’s Vogue Series this year! Whether you are a long time fan or new to the band’s music there is […]
Sunday Slow Jam Vol.68 – Make Me Lovely
Take a moment to fall in love….
This is exactly what happened first time I heard Laura Mvula. She is a refreshing musical voice in what sometimes can be a bland and dreary lanscape. Her album, Sing to the Moon, not […]
Featured Artist at RAW!
Mark your calendars!!! RAW Grandeur is happening Thursday, March 5th at Club 560. It’s going to be a fantastic interdisciplinary night like you’ve never experienced before!!! Live music, fashion, visual art, photography, dance…..Don’t miss it! Dress to thrill!
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Sunday Slow Jam Vol.67 – After The Rain
“After The Rain” is one of my favourite ballads played by John Coltrane…it’s true, tasty perfection! It can be found on the album called, “The Gentle Side of John Coltrane”. The whole album is divine and features greats such as […]