Award-Winning Musician, Peter Shea, was Esteemed Member of Jazz Community, RIP

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of award-winning St. Catharines musician Peter Shea on August 21, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. The talented pianist, drummer and singer was an esteemed member of the Jazz scene and also co-founded the Niagara Jazz Festival. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

Career highlights

• 1995: Earned degree in Jazz Performance and Composition at University of Toronto 
• 2006: Met with Juliet Dunn (who became his wife and musical partner)
• 2014: Co-founded Niagara Jazz Festival
• Performed with Phil Dwyer, Pat LaBarbera, Graham Lear, Heather Bambrick, June Garber and man more.

From his wife Juliet Dunn 

Dear friends,

It is with such a heavy heart to announce that my dearest friend, my husband, and my life partner, Peter Shea, has passed away.  Peter had been ill since 2018 and was only diagnosed in June of 2020 with cancer and has been battling ever since.  He has been so courageous and graceful and strong but he is finally out of pain and at peace.  He will always be with us and will be missed by many.

I am heartbroken and there are truly no words.

I will be sharing a link tomorrow that will allow people to share their sweet memories, photos and stories of Peter.  

Thank you for all of your support. 

All my love,

Juliet

Media Links

• Jazz.fm
• News Talk 610

Social Media Reaction

David Restivo (Musician)

Peter and I hung out in Dubai many years ago when we both had long-term gigs in the UAE. More recently, as he and his wonderful wife and business partner, vocalist Juliet Dunn , created a festival and carved out a vibrant musical scene in the Niagara region, we had opportunities to collaborate musically. 

Pete oozed music out of his pores--he was a gifted pianist, drummer, and vocalist whose zest for life came through in every note he played, and we used to have a blast switching instruments on those occasions when we got to play together. 

I spoke to him about a month ago, and I knew he was fighting for his life, but he sounded upbeat and optimistic, always sunny...he was excited about a new Hammond organ he'd acquired, and we talked about collaborating on future projects. Alas, that will not come to pass. 

My thoughts are with Juliet right now, who has already suffered unbearable losses recently and this just feels like too much. Juliet, I hope you know how much you and Peter are loved in our musical family, and I hope you can feel the collective hug from all of us in this painful time. ❤️

Krysta Lee Gorman (photographer)

I have known and worked on various projects with Peter and Juliet over the last 20 years. I have had the privilege of watching them create so much joy and beauty with their music. My heart aches for dear Juliet who has had to endure more loss this year than anyone should ever have to with the passing of her sister, mother and now her loving husband. 

I watched these last few months as both Peter and Juliet worked to keep moving forward with positivity and love, even with a grim prognosis. Peter pushed himself to keep playing for as long as he could, to find healing through music. 

There is a celebration of life planned for September 12th at White Oakes at 6pm for those who knew and loved him. 

RIP Peter. 💔 My condolences to Juliet, your family and the entire music community who lost one of the greats today. Thank you for sharing your talent and art with us all.

Links: Kevin Turcotte, Video above courtesy of  Peter Shea

Links: Juliet Dunn, More Juliet Dunn Stories, Video above courtesy of Juliet Dunn

Links: Peter Shea, More Peter Shea Stories, Video above courtesy of Juliet Dunn

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CONGRATS! 2021 St. Catharines Arts Awards Winners

On Sunday, November 21, the 2021St. Catharines Arts Awards were handed out during an online ceremony. You can view the event below.

Links: St. Catharines Culture, More St. Catharines Arts Awards Stories, Video above courtesy of  FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

Here's a complete list of winners.

• Arts in Education: Curtis Tye
• Emerging Artist: Elise Naccarato
  
  
  
  Links: More Elise Naccarato Stories, Video above courtesy of Elise Naccarato
  
  
• Established Artist: Peter Shea, music
  
  
  
  Links: More Peter Shea Stories, Juliet Dunn, More Juliet Dunn Stories, Video above courtesy of  FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
  
  
• Jury's Pick Award: Jean Bridge
• Patron of the Arts: Janet Partridge

Links: St. Catharines Culture, More St. Catharines Arts Awards Stories

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GOOD LUCK! 2021 St. Catharines Arts Awards Nominations

From the City of St. Catharines newsletter:

City announces nominees for the 2021St. Catharines Arts Awards

A diverse group of nominees — shining a light on just how vibrant the city’s arts scene is — are being recognized as part of this fall’s 2021 St. Catharines Arts Awards celebration.

The jury for the event, which annually celebrates the arts community and those who champion it, has made its selection for this year’s nominees. The 17 nominees chosen as finalists range from visual artists to film makers to musicians, and more.

Nominees for the Arts in Education Award, celebrating individuals and groups committed to engaging residents through arts education, include:

• Steven Azzopardi, visual arts education
• Jean Paul Dupont, music education
• Curtis Tye, performing arts education

Artists in their first 10 years of a creative career will be recognized with the Emerging Artist Award. 

Nominees include:

• Jason Mikhow, film and photography
• Elise Naccarato, music and conducting
• Kathryn Sinopoli, music

Nominees for the Established Artist Award, presented to a professional St. Catharines artist in any discipline who has received critical recognition for excellence in their art practice in St. Catharines and beyond, include:

• Floyd Elzinga, visual artist: sculpture
• Geoff Farnsworth, visual artist: painting
• Sarah Jerrom, music
• Joe Lavoie, music
• Peter Shea, music

Nominees for the Making a Difference Award — celebrating entrepreneurs, administrators, organizations and volunteers contributing to the growth of arts and culture — include:

• Jean Bridge, volunteerism
• Bart Gazzola, art critic and writer
• Thomas Inglis, music direction
• Diana McAdorey, music administration
• OPIRG Brock, arts advocacy and social justice
• Barbara Worthy, volunteerism

The Patron of the Arts Award, presented to a well-deserving recipient that has made a meaningful contribution to the arts through innovative, transformative, and entrepreneurial partnerships or philanthropic investments, will be announced at a later date.

The 2021 St. Catharines Arts Awards will be presented as a free live-stream event on Sunday, Nov. 21.

Links: St. Catharines Culture, More St. Catharines Arts Awards Stories

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Peggy Lee's 100th Birthday

Today (Tuesday, May 26, 2020) would have been American singer, songwriter and actress Peggy Lee's 100th birthday.

Biography highlights:

• Born in Jamestown, North Dakota (May 26, 1920)
• First no. 1 hit, Somebody Else Is Taking My Place (1942)
• Sang in two movies with Benny Goodman (1943)
• Starred in the movie remake, The Jazz Singer (1952)
• Did voices and singing in Lady and the Tramp (1955)
• Passes away (January 21, 2002)

Juliet Dunn and Peter Shea and celebrated the occasion with a wonderful live Facebook performance.

Links: Juliet Dunn, More Juliet Dunn Stories, Peter Shea, More Peter Shea Stories, Video above courtesy of Juliet Dunn Jazz

We asked a few local artists to give their thoughts on the legendary singer. We will add more soon.

Brenda Brown

Peggy Lee was a beautiful communicator and a sophisticated powerhouse of a woman. Not only a gifted singer songwriter but also an actor,artist, entrepreneur and advocate for the arts. What a gift to us!

Karen Thornton

Her music was played in our home growing up. Understated sultry tone and phrasing no vocal aerobics, just a great quality to her voice and she really knew how to sell her songs.

Hailee Rose

Peggy Lee was, and still is, one of Jazz’s most inspirational female artists. Her song “Fever” introduced me to the art of simple yet captivating storytelling; painting a picture with words, and driving emotion with a minimalist sound.  A truly beautiful artist. 

Chris Ayries

If I had a coffee house, Peggy Lee would be in the top 10 on my playlist. Her sound is classic and soothing.

Here are a few videos from the lady herself.



Video above courtesy of TheUpstairsGirl



Video above courtesy of CurlySVT

More 100th Birthdays

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St. Catharines Group, Le Trio Parisien Will Transport You to Paris!

Can't afford to go to Paris?  Well you can get the next best thing by picking up C'est Ci Bon, the latest album from Le Trio Parisien ft Juliet Dunn.  This beautiful Jazz recording will transport you to a patio in a little European cafe.

St. Catharines chanteuse Juliet Dunn has a breathtaking voice that will melt your heart and get your toes tapping.   The lady can handle upbeat cabaret numbers and slinky, sultry torch songs (and all in French too!)

Joining her is Peter Shea (who teamed up with Juliet as (the Shea D Duo), Neva Tesolin, and Adrian Juras.  They handle multiple instruments and do an impeccable job with the European flavour of the sound.

If you're ready for a wonderful sonic trip, you can pick up a copy of the CD at their live shows and by download via
cdbaby.





Blast From the Past: Juliet and Peter Nominated for Entrepreneur Award

Links: Le Trio Parisien, More Juliet Dunn Stories, Videos above courtesy of Juliet Dunn

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St. Catharines Duo Juliet Dunn and Peter Shea Nominated for Entrepeneur Award

St. Catharines performers Juliet Dunn and Peter Shea (aka the Shea D Duo) were recently honoured with a nomination for the 2015 Niagara Entrepreneur of the Awards Awards.  This was in recognition of their incredible work with the Twilight Jazz series through the Mahtay Cafe.

They'll be competing with many other teams on February 20, 2015 at the Marriott Gateway on the Falls Hotel. GOOD LUCK!



Links: Carolyn Credico, Bob Shields, Mike Felice, Peter Shea, More Peter Shea Stories, Video above courtesy of Juliett Dunn



Links: Juliet Dunn, More Juliet Dunn Stories, Le Trio Parisisen, Video above courtesy of Peter Shea



Video above courtesy of Juliet Dunn

Blast from the Past: News Roundup w Shea D Duo Video

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Previous (Braithwaite and Whiteley Videos)

News Roundup (Blue Rodeo, Lena Montecalvo, Shea D Duo, Gunter Ott)

• Blue Rodeo wins Governor General Arts Award

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Funny Stuff

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Recently Added

Our Performer List

• Blackwood Two
• Juliet Dunn
• Sarah J Felker
• Kauffey Temple
• The Macinaws
• Shea D Duo
  
  
  
  Video above courtesy of Juliet Dunn
  

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Blasts From the Past 

• 2009: Juno Winners
• 2010: Jack Harlan@Artword Artbar
• 2011: Mark Vanderheyden@Pheasant Plucker
• 2012: Juno Winners
• 2013: Ensemble w Wax Mannequin, Dave Pomfret, Mark Lotterman and Dave Gould

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Upcoming Birthdays 

Thursday, April 3

• Lawrie Ingles
• Dave Ptolemy

Saturday April 5

• Annette Haas

Sunday, April 6

• Kim Campagnaro (Groove Corporation)
• Alan Cross
• Martin Verall

Tuesday, April 8

• Lena Montecalvo (Caretakers)
  
  
  
  Links: More Lena Montecalvo Stories, More Leonard Cohen Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Mike Trebilcock
  
  
• Gunter Ott
  
  
  
  Links: More Gunter Ott Stories, Video above courtesy of SimVid2
  

Thursday, April 10

• Sarah Burton
• Al Lerman (Fathead)

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