CONGRATS! Local 2020 Juno Winners!

On June 29, the 2020 Juno Award winners were announced in a pre-recorded special. Three of our talented local musical compatriots (all from Hamilton) won.

CONGRATS EVERYONE

Below is a complete list of winners:

Local artists are bolded.

• Contemporary Roots Album: Mohawk by Lee Harvey Osmond
  
  
  
  Links: Lee Harvey Osmond, More Lee Harvey Osmond Stories, Video above courtesy of LeE HARVeY OsMOND 
  
  
• Music Video: Little Star  (iskwē)
  
  
  
  Links: Iskwé, More Iskwé Stories, Video above courtesy of iskwē
  
  
• Jazz Album (Group): Abundance by Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop
  
  
  
  Links: Ernesto Cervini, More Ernesto Cervini Stories, Video above courtesy of Ernesto Cervini's Turboprop - Topic
  
  
• Adult Alternative Album: A Blemish in the Great Light by Half Moon Run
• Adult Contemporary Album: Shine A Light by Bryan Adams
• Album: The Pains Of Growing by Alessia Cara
• Album Artwork: SELECTIONS FROM CUPHEAD by Kristofer Maddigan 
• Alternative Album: Morbid Stuff by PUP
• Artist: Shawn Mendes
• Blues Album: Mad Love by Dawn Tyler Watson
• Breakthrough Artist: Lennon Stella
• Breakthrough Group: Neon Dreams
• Children's Album: Greatest Hits, Vol. 4 by Big Block Singsong
• Classical Album (Large Ensemble): The John Adams Album by Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, conducted by Kent Nagano 
• Classical Album (Solo or Chamber): detach by Angela Schwarzkopf  
• Classical Album (Vocal or Choral): Handel: Dixit Dominus; Bach and Schutz: Motets Ottawa Bach Choir, conducted by Lisette Canton 
• Classical Composition: Evta by Ana Sokolović ATMA*Naxos
• Comedy Album: Lil Bit of Buddle by Sophie Buddle
• Contemporary Gospel or Christian: The Advent Of Christmas by Matt Maher 
• Country Album: Wild As Me by Meghan Patrick
• Dance Recording: Love Me by Felix Cartal and Lights 
• Electric Album:  Beyond The Senses by REZZ
• Francophone Album: La nuit est une panthère by Les Louanges
• Group: Loud Luxury
• Indigenous Artist or Group: Stories from a Downtown Apartment by Celeigh Cardinal
• Instrumental Album: INSCAPE by Alexandra Stréliski
• International Album: WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? by Billie Eilish
• Jazz Album (Solo): MiGRATIONS by Jacques Kuba Seguin 
• Juno Fan Choice: Avril Lavigne
• Metal/Hard Music Album: Play to Win by Striker 
• Pop Album: The Pains of Growing by Alessia Cara
• Producer: Ben Kaplan
• Rap Recording: Freaky by Tory Lanez 
• Recording Engineer: John "Beetle" Bailey
• Reggae Recording : The Warning Track by Lyndon John X 
• RnB/Soul Recording : Feel It Too by Jessie Reyez, Tory Lanez and Tainy
• Rock Album: A War On Everything by The Glorious Sons
• Single: Señorita by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
• Songwriter: Alessia Cara
• Traditional Roots Album: Sugar and Joyby  The Dead South 
• Vocal Jazz Album: Stay Tuned! by Dominique Fils-Aimé 
• World Music Album: BAROKAN by Djely Tapa  

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Juno Awards, More Juno Stories

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CONGRATS! 2020 Hamilton Arts Awards Winners

Here is the compete list of winners:

• Music (Established): Abigail Richardson-Schulte / (Emerging): Liam Ritz
  
  
  
  Links: Abigail Richardson-Schulte, More Abigail Richardson-Schulte Stories, Video above courtesy of  Toronto Symphony Orchestra
  
  
  
  Links: Liam Ritz, More Liam Ritz Stories, Video above courtesy of  Liam Ritz
  
  
• Arts Innovation: Radha S. Menon (Theatre)
• Arts Education and Community Arts: Jasmin Glaw (Visual Art)
• Arts Management (Established): Abedar Kamgari / (Emerging): Mashal Khan
• Dance and Performing Arts (Established): Josh Taylor / (Emerging): Janessa Pudwell
• Fine Craft (Established): Andrew Kellner / (Emerging): Engela Busse
• Lifetime Achievement: Susan Evans Shaw (writer/journalist)
• Media Arts (Established): Cher Obediah / (Emerging): Andréa Williams
• Theatre (Establsihed): Kelly Wolf / (Emerging): Carlyn Rhamey
• Visual Arts (Established): Matthew McInnis / (Emerging): Michael Schnittker
• Writing (Established): Anne Bokma / (Emerging): Jacklyn Desforges

View the entire ceremony on Facebook below:

Episode 1 (We can't embed)

The above includes the music category.

CONGRATS EVERYONE!

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Winners

Links: Hamilton Arts Awards, More Hamilton Arts Awards Stories, Videos above courtesy of City of Hamilton Arts Awards

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Hamilton Photographer Ivan Sorensen Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Hamilton photographer Ivan Sorensen. He was a mainstay of the Hammer's vibrant music scene. We do not have many details yet but will post them here. Our condolences to his family, friends and fans.

A word from Lou, our blogger:

I met Ivan many times going to the same event. We became friends and he always had a smile on his face and loved his work. He had great enthusiasm when he saw great live local music. I'll miss him terribly.

The was a huge outpouring of grief on social media. Here's a sampling:

Terra Lightfoot

To my friend Ivan: I'll miss you so! Your kind smile, the way you yelled "HEY YOU, GET OVER HERE!" at Supercrawl before we even knew each other.... so you could show me some photos you had taken of the band....we got on so easily from there on out....You were a truly talented man and I'm better for knowing you. Thanks for capturing me at my best so many times. Sending love to your family.

Michael Hickey

I am sad to hear of the passing of Ivan Sorensen....good guy and a great photographer. Most of us performing musicians here have been captured by his lens....always in a unique way....never one to draw attention to himself he focused on us...I'm sad we lost him and his talent....I'll miss seeing him "snapping off a few" at shows.... Rest in Peace Ivan...and thank you....

Kristen Archer (I Heart Hamilton)

You will be missed, Ivan Sorensen ❤ I am so sorry for the loss of a Hamilton creative who captured our music scene so beautifully. Ivan was a staple in festival stage pits and at concerts, and I got to know him better while working with Supercrawl in 2018. Ivan's long hours spent on the ground and in the pit always impressed me and he had such a special eye.

It means a lot to have a photo through Ivan's eyes. Live music shots of Ivan's are some of my favourites. My heart goes out to Ivan's family and friends, and I thank him for his wonderful art and his kindness.

Below  is a sampling of his incredible work.

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CONGRATS! Local Artists on Polaris Prize Long List

Dundas Electronic music artist Caribou, Burlington's Sarah Harmer and WHOOP-Szo from Guelph were among the many talented musicians announced as part of the 2020 Polaris Prize Long List.  Hopefully they will make the Short List (announced July 15) and then move on to win the big prize (gala is September 21 at The Carlu in Toronto)



Links: Caribou, More Caribou Stories, Video above courtesy of CaribouVideos



Links: Sarah Harmer, More Sarah Harmer Stories, Video above courtesy of Sarah Harmer

Links: WHOOP-Szo, Video above courtesy of youvechangedrecords

Here's a complete list of winners:

• Caribou – Suddenly
• Sarah Harmer – Are You Gone
• WHOOP-Szo – Warrior Down
• Allie X – Cape God
• Anachnid – Dreamweaver
• Aquakultre – Legacy
• Marie-Pierre Arthur – Des feux pour voir
• Backxwash – God Has Nothing To Do With This Leave Him Out Of It
• Badge Époque Ensemble – Badge Époque Ensemble
• Begonia – Fear
• P’tit Belliveau – Greatest Hits Vol. 1
• Daniel Caesar – CASE STUDY 01
• Chocolat – Jazz engagé
• Louis-Jean Cormier – Quand la nuit tombe
• Corridor – Junior
• dvsn – A Muse In Her Feelings
• Jacques Greene – Dawn Chorus
• Ice Cream – FED UP
• Junia-T – Studio Monk
• Kaytranada – Bubba
• Flore Laurentienne – Volume 1
• Cindy Lee – What’s Tonight To Eternity?
• Men I Trust – Oncle Jazz
• nêhiyawak – nipiy
• OBUXUM – Re-birth
• Owen Pallett – Island
• Pantayo – Pantayo
• Lido Pimienta – Miss Colombia
• Joel Plaskett – 44
• William Prince – Reliever
• Jessie Reyez – Before Love Came To Kill Us
• Andy Shauf – The Neon Skyline
• Riit – ataataga
• Super Duty Tough Work – Studies in Grey
• U.S. Girls – Heavy Light
• Leif Vollebekk – New Ways
• Wares – Survival
• The Weeknd – After Hours
• Witch Prophet – DNA Activation
• Zen Bamboo – GLU

Blast from the Past: Last Year's Short List

Links: Polaris Music Prize, More Polaris Stories

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CONGRATS ! 2020 Hamilton Community News Readers' Choice Awards Winners!

Click here for full list.

Music-related categories below.

Best Local Musician or Band

• Diamond: Mike Woods
  
  
  
  Links: Mike Woods, More Mike Woods Stories, Video above courtesy of Hamilton Blues Lovers
  
  
• Platinum: Freedom Train
• Gold: Robin Benedict / Ruby Entertainment / The King Jives

Best Concert Venue

• Diamond: Tone Deaf / Jack De Keyzer
  
  
  
  Links: Tone Deaf, More ToneDeaf Stories, Video above courtesy of ToneDeafCanada
  
  
  
  Links: Jack de Keyzer, More Jack de Keyzer Stories, Video above courtesy of Twentyfive Musical
  
  
• Platinum: Ian Wood / Bareback Riders / Retro Party Groove
• Gold: Bud and Jeff / The Something Country Band / The Feels / Party Source Entertainment / Fidel / Dave Murphy Band / Chery ST. James / All About Maggie

Best Live Entertainment Facility

• Diamond: Hamilton City Ballet Orchestra
• Platinum: Pub Fiction
• Gold: Theatre Aquarius

Best Live Music Bar / Lounge

• Diamond: Powerhouse Restaurant
• Platinum: 33 Bowen / The 1515 (Brown Barrel)
• Gold: Vicars Vice

Best Local Festival

• Diamond: Dundas Cactus Festival / Winona Peach Festival
• Platinum: Dundas Buskerfest / Supercrawl
• Gold: It's Your Festival / Mountain Kidz Klub Easter Egg Hunt

Best Local Entertainment

• Diamond: Carolyn's Model & Talent / Geoffrey Chapman Model & Talent Agency / H&G Entertainer Services
• Platinum: Vogue Models and Talent Management
• Gold: Blue Angel Productions

Best Music Instructor

• Diamond: Marta Greda-Kicek
• Platinum: Anita Hiripi / Mate Szigeti
• Gold: Kaz Chrapka / Steve McRae

Best Music Instruction

• Diamond: Hamilton Academy Of Performing Arts
• Platinum: Long & McQuade
• Gold: Hamilton Academy Of Music

Best Musical Instruments Store

• Diamond: Long & McQuade
• Platinum: The Acoustic Room
• Gold: Mountain Music / The Music Stand

Blast from the Past: 2018's Winners

Links: Hamilton Community News Reader's Choice Awards, More HCN Awards Stories

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New Ensemble! Episode ft the Dunlop Brothers

The final new episode (at least for the next little while) of the Cable 14 show, Ensemble! will feature the marvelous Dunlop Brothers!  This wonderful episode is currently being broadcast on TV.  The always amazing Lily Sazz hosted the show at Hamilton's Grant Avenue Studio.

This episode should be available on demand soon (for only Shaw, Rogers and Cogeco customers.) Anyone can now live stream Cable 14 for free at https://cable14now.com/.

Links: Dunlop Brothers, More Dunlop Brothers Stories, Videos above courtesy of Southern Souls

More Ensemble Stories

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Canal Bank Shuffle Posting Dazzling Blues Every Saturday! Videos by Virgil Scott, Josh Miller, Spencer Mackenzie, Chris Ayries

If missing live Blues music has got you down during the quarantine, the Canal Bank Shuffle YouTube page is here to help. Every Saturday, they'll be posting multiple videos from dazzling past performances as part of the Almost Live series.

Special message from the Shuffle:

If you can tip even a buck or two it will help to keep this series going. All money goes to artists and video team.

You can do that at www.facebook.com/canalbankshufflebluesfestival and press "shop now" or e-transfer brantparkermusic@gmail.com, or click the paypal button at the top of the Canal  Bank Youtube home page. Also non digital option is to drop a tip at Donnelly's Pub. They are open for take-out.

I hope everyone stays safe and we love you. Cheers' and feel free to share the videos folks. Thanks to videographer David Stephen.

Here's a sampling of what's been offered:



Click here for Virgil Scott's site



Links: Josh Miller, More Josh Miller Stories



Links: Spencer Mackenzie, More Spencer Mackenzie Stories



Links: Chris Ayries, More Chris Ayries Stories

All videos above courtesy of Canal Bank Shuffle

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Dundas Music Club Offering Phenomenal Performances Online! Videos by Sharon Washington/Scotty Bakalar, Lily Sazz, Steve Parton, Dan Medakovic, Jay Burr

The Dundas Music Club has the solution for your lockdown blues. Their Facebook page has some phenomenal videos for you to watch.

Every Wednesday at 7 pm, they run a watch party (there's usually a theme). Even if you can't make it to that, many of the incredible videos stay on the page and you can listen to them at your leisure.

Here's some of what's available now:



Links: More Sharon Washington Stories, Scotty Bakalar, More Scotty Bakalar Stories, Video above courtesy of Sharon Washington



Links: Lily Sazz, More Lily Sazz Stories, Video above courtesy of Lily Sazz



Links: Steve Parton, More Steve Parton Stories, Video above courtesy of Steve Parton



Links: Danny Medakovic, More Dan Medakovic Stories, More Hollies Covers/Stories, Video above courtesy of Danny Medakovic



Links: Jay Burr, More Jay Burr Stories, Video above courtesy of Jay Burr

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Niagara's Lily Nazar Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Niagara musician Lily Nazar. Our condolences to her family, friends and fans. She passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2020.

Click here for her memorial page.

Her bio from the Lily Nazar Trio Facebook page:

Lily Nazar was born in St. Catharines and currently resides in Niagara-on-the-Lake. She has been singing and teaching music in the region for approximately fifteen years. She has performed with a number of local groups over the years as well as the The Lily Nazar Band. Although her musical interests span from pop to classical she made the decision to concentrate on one of her major loves, that of jazz, and graduated from the Mohawk College jazz program in 2007, specializing in vocal jazz and composition. Lily is quickly establishing herself as an up and coming jazz singer in the region and her group The Lily Nazar Jazz Trio frequently play at the Old Winery Restaurant in Niagara-on-the-Lake as well as at many private functions.

There was an outpouring of grief on social media. Here are a few examples:

Iolanda Ingrassia McKendrick

I lost my little Lily yesterday. A loving and heart full soul with the voice of an angel and a smile that could light up any room. She had her struggles and she tried so hard. So hard to be the perfect daughter, perfect singer, perfect friend and to find her perfect place in life. But her perfect little heart just couldn’t take it anymore. And I am shattered . The sadness and pain cuts like a knife I feel so much pain for my family. I wish I couldn’t say I know how they feel, but I do. I really do.

Lily finally found her angel wings and hopefully has found the peace she’s always been looking for. She would have turned 38 tomorrow. Still so much life ahead of her ... it just isn’t fair.

I will miss our chats and our texts messages. I will miss your zest for life, your crazy ideas, your smile and your voice Say hi to all our people up there and please continue to sing

Jennifer Gulland

My heart hurts and I am overwhelmed with sadness. The times that our paths crossed were magical and as my gemini twin we were two peas in a party pod. Wild and crazy and passionate and loud. Together we laughed and were merry. I will miss the bond we shared through music. Her talent was second to none. Her voice was surely something to be admired. 

Joshua Wood

RIP Lily Nazar. You sweet, wild, untameable soul on fire. You are the one who showed me how to lose myself to the song, to let go of the wheel and celebrate the moment. You were always such an inspiration to me and I just really wish I got to tell you this. I love you Lily, Ill see ya on the big stage. 

Talal Al Hamad

A beautiful soul .. taken from this earth suddenly.. An incredibly talented jazz singer and pianist and one of the original members of the first lineup of The Hot Potatoes my band... We shared some beautiful moments and I'm so proud to have had you has a friend.. You recently overcame some major challenges.. You grew... I;m sorry I could not have been there for you more ... 

Ian Reid covered on of Lily's songs in her memory.




Links: Ian Reid, More Ian Reid Stories, Video above courtesy of Ian Reid







Links: Lily Nazar, More Lily Nazar Stories, Videos above courtesy of Lily Nazar

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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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