NuJazz festival starts tonight! The festival features such heavyweights as The Herbaliser Band and Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. On top of that, you’ll be able to check out some great Canadian bands such as Souljazz Orchestra, King Sunshine, Grand Analog, Planet Earth and The National Parcs. We haven’t forgotten about the DJs either. Canadian and local DJs such as The Footprints DJ crew, John Kong, More or Les, Rollin’ Cash, DJ Numeric and more.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13

The Herbalizer Band (UK, Ninja Tune, K7!)

@ Revival Bar (783 College St.)
9 pm doors, $18 advance / $25 door

Buy tickets here

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14

PLANET EARTH with special guest KEVIN BREIT (Toronto)

@ Revival (783 College St.)
9 pm doors, $12 advance / $15 door /

Buy tickets here

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14

THE SOULJAZZ ORCHESTRA (Ottawa, ON)

@ Supermarket (268 Augusta Ave.)
10 pm doors, $10 @ the door /

Buy tickets here

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15

HYPNOTIC BRASS ENSEMBLE (Chicago)

@ The Opera House (735 Queen St. E.)
9 pm doors $20 advance / $25 door

Buy tickets here

GOTSOUL RECORDS AND THERAPY PRESENT THE FIRST ANNUAL
MONTREAL INTERNATIONAL HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Leave it JojoFlores and the good people from GotSoul and Therapy to give House lovers the respect of a festival. Closing down the summer could never feel so good. If you don’t believe me check out this House giant all star
THURSDAY AUGUST 28th GOTSOUL SESSIONS at SEGAFREDO
ABICAH SOUL, MIKE FRESCO & LUKE NATIVE

FRIDAY AUGUST 29th SOUL NATION at TIME SUPPERCLUB
KARIZMA, PAT BOOGIE & CHRISTIAN PRONOVOST

FRIDAY AUGUST 29th DANNY BUDDAH MORALES at CHERRY

SATURDAY AUGUST 30th CLASSICS at CHERRY
ANGEL MORAES, JOJOFLORES & SIMON B.

SUNDAY AUGUST 31st THERAPY 9 YR ANNIVERSARY at CHERRY
KENNY BOBIEN, JOE DIPADOVA, MISAYO, JABIG, MIKE FRESCO & TAZZ
Hosted by: Bic, Claudy, Inobe, Stephen Nelson & Metrotalent

Begun three years ago as an antidote to spare time and money, Italian Edition has struggled to maintain a strong presence in their hometown of Victoria BC, as well as across Canada. Bound together by a love for live chaos and honed songwriting, Jay Bhattacharyya, Jack Derricourt, David Sponaugle, David Williams, and Joshua Sparrow have forged a unique strain of twenty-first century music; their sound comprises a collection of tastes, from classic guitar rock, to post-hardcore, to jazz. So far, their career has proven no less ecclectic–being featured on Much Music’s Going Coastal, playing alongside the likes of Tokyo Police Club and Three Days Grace, and receiving regular airplay on CBC Radio 3. With two albums under their belts–2007’s “The Fable of the Mouse and the Frog” and their newest full-length “Luddites”–the five spirited islanders show no signs of slowing down, with nothing but fresh enthusiasm paving their way.

Upcoming shows:
8 Aug 2008 21:30 The Cambie Nanaimo, British Columbia
9 Aug 2008 07:00 The Academy w/ Acres of Lions Port Alberni, British Columbia
22 Aug 2008 20:00 Sugar Victoria, British Columbia
23 Aug 2008 20:00 WEST COAST MUSIC FEST Port Alberni, British Columbia
5 Sep 2008 20:00 Lantzville Hall All Ages Nanaimo, British Columbia

Katie resides in Toronto and makes music with her computer, heart and soul. In January 2008 she released her first record called “Join Us” with Blocks Recording Club.

She’ll be playing at Maverick’s in Ottawa on August 24th for the i heart music festival (put on by the fine folks at iheartmusic.net, so be sure to go check her out if you’re in the area!

15 Aug 2008 20:00 Fred Eaglesmith Picnic Aylmer, ON
22 Aug 2008 20:00 Peterburough Folk Fest Peterborough
24 Aug 2008 20:00 Mavericks – i heart music festival Ottawa

Osheaga music and arts festival kicked off for the first time in 2006 with a mind blowing line up of artists from Amon Tobin to Dinosaur Jr., Wolf Parade to Kid Koala, Final Fantasy to Sonic Youth, a list I shiver to utter. It is safe to say that every year, Osheaga has taken over Montreal with a last expressive outburst before winter’s hibernation. This August marks the festival’s third year and Osheaga is on no road to disappoint, from big names to indie underground the two day festival will be an event one would dread to miss. Check back here on TransCanada Radio for updates and videos on the artists who will be rocking it August 3rd and 4th, and who are putting Montreal and Canada on the map.

Check this video from past Osheaga!

Dragon Fli Empire is on the rise. The Calgary based duo, comprised of Cosm (DJ, producer) and Teekay (emcee, producer) have quickly become one of the city’s more popular groups, gaining respect from a wide variety of music lovers for their upbeat, melodic and positive sound.

It all started in May 2002. What was originally supposed to be a side-project for both of the Dragon Fli Empire members grew into something bigger than ever dreamed, largely due to the popularity of the track “Mount Pleasant” (which has become a Calgary anthem). The crew enjoys heavy rotation on campus radio across Canada and have also appeared on CBC (Radio, ZeD and The National), plus MuchMusic’s Going Coastal. The group has performed across Canada and parts of the United States, and have shared the stage with many top acts, including De La Soul, Mos Def, Pete Rock, Del the Funky Homosapien, and The Beatnuts.

Click Here to sample DFE.

Upcoming shows:
19 Jul 2008 22:00 ">HiFi Club Calgary, Alberta
30 Jul 2008 20:00 Velvet Underground Edmonton, Alberta
5 Aug 2008 14:00 Credit Union Centre (Warped Tour) Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
6 Aug 2008 15:00 Race City (Warped Tour) Calgary, Alberta
10 Aug 2008 20:00 Suede Lethbridge, Alberta
06 Sep 2008 20:00 Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium Calgary, Alberta

Balkan Beat Box lead members include Tamir Muskat and Ori Kaplan along with a Multiethnic group of musicians Tomer Yosef, Itamar Ziegler, Uri Kinrot (Who I had the fortune to see Jan. 2006 at the Mercury Lounge with an amazing Klezmer band, Boom Pam), Ben Handler, Jeremiah Lockwood, Eyal Talmudi and Peter Hess. Balkan Beat Box also collaborate with a long list of musicians from Bulgaria, Morocco, Spain, Israel, and Palestine. Balkan Beat Box’s diverse membership make for a vast array of classical music styles mixed with dub and electronic . Their high energy, carnival sound played Ottawa Bluesfest Friday July 11th at 7:00 pm on the Bank of America Stage right before heading on their European Tour.

The crowd was mixed. True, strong lovers of the eclectic sound of Balkan Beat Box and early birds wanting a good seat for the 9pm show of Canadian favorites, Great Big Sea. Either way the Balkan Beat Box fans took over!
The front of the crowd was dancing, waving and singing with every song. While the seated folk clapped along in glee!

My favorite parts of the Balkan Beat Box show was their recorded hit songs from their album NU MED from JDUB Records, remixed to high energy dance style mixes. Tomer Yosef (MC, percussion, vocals and sampler) was on fire! Leaping from bass bin speakers, dancing with the crowd playing percussions and mixing live. It was unbelievable! I was not expecting such an innovative performance with a highly cultural sound.

Secondary highlight was meeting the band and having them sign my album! Sweet!!!

The bar room prophet himself, Neville Quinlan is clever and modest. You could become his drinking buddy simply by showing up at one of his haunts and sidling next to him for a few pints, a cigarette and easy conversation. Mark Kesper is easygoing and maintains the wheel of the N.Q. touring vehicle. Pete Kesper on guitar is a Leo, likes surprises and is quick to admit he’s only in it because he likes the music. No illusions of fame and glory. John Dinsmore, on bass, is the definition of calm but he carries a big stick.

The lyrics take you from lamp lit Toronto streets to your local bar where the regulars are waiting. Neville’s voice acts as sandpaper making rough things smooth and smooth things rough. Brief love affairs are epic and a road trip with pals lasts three minutes. The loping rhythms are drenched in tasty cowboy guitar licks and create an urban wild west sound. The songs are lyrical and gritty and are snapshots of sweetness and loss seen through a few bottles of beer.

If you’re in the Ottawa area for the Bluesfest, pencil these guys into your schedule. Absolutely worth seeing, trust us.

Summertime is always a great chance to appreciate Canada’s cultural scene, especially with the many festivals happening all over the country. Thankfully, Exclaim magazine has put together a useful musical festival guide so you know about all the wonderful music taking place around you. You can sort festivals by month or by region, which is quite helpful!

Speaking of music festivals, make sure to check out all our coverage of this summer’s festivals via our festival category.

Click here to see Exclaim’s list of Canadian music festivals.

Confederation Park was the home to legendary Herbie Hancock with his Grammy awarded Album “River: The Joni Letters”. The lyrics from the album “River” were written by Canadian artist Joni Mitchell. Herbie Hancock graced the stage with two fantastic vocalists, Sonya Kitchell and Amy Keys. Sonya Kitchell’s sound is a cross between Norah Jones, Ella Fitzgerald & Joni Mitchell. While Amy Keys a sound not unlike Tina Turner and Christina Aguilera.
There was definitely no lack of genius musical talent last night! Herbie Hancock was accompanied by Dave Holland on Bass, Chris Potter on Saxophone, Vinnie Colaiuta on Percussion and
Lionel Loueke on Guitar.

Listening to Grammy Award winner Herbie Hancock’s “River: The Joni Letters” is like looking at a painting that hasn’t dried. It was Miles Davis who once told Hancock to “never finish anything” when Hancock played alongside Wayne Shorter, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams in Davis legendary group in the early ’60s.

“River” focuses on the earthiness of Joni Mitchell’s lyrics interpreted by a plethora of varied vocalist. Tina Turner, Leonard Cohen, Norah Jones, and even Mitchell herself all intone exquisitely while Hancock assumes a reverent neutrality.

Herbie Hancock paid a beautiful homage to Joni Mitchell’s eloquent lyrics. Opening the show with the title track from the Album “The River” entitled River, performed by Sonya Kitchell. Then followed by a power-house performance by Amy Keys performing When Love Came to Town from the Album “Possibilities”.

The solo performances by Dave Holland, Herbie Hancock and Lionel Loueke were worth the price of admission alone. Dave Holland’s fingers danced across the strings integrating contemporary aesthetics to traditional jazz. Then briefly accompanied by Herbie Hancock for a rare treat . Herbie Hancock’s solo was meditative, taking lengthy solitary pauses of contemplation. Herbie Hancock succeeded in expanding the public vision of what music, particularly jazz, is all about today. Lionel Loueke’s guitar solo definitely blew me away! Herbie Hancock, even referred to him as the “Secret Weapon”! His background in acoustic, Afro-beat and Jazz was extreamly well received by the audience. People jumped from their lawn chairs and starting to sway to the beat.