Destiny then brought Rommel to Canada in 2006. Fate couldn’t have played a better trick. By bringing the young musician to a multicultural environment, life exponentially increased Rommel’s amazing artistic skills. The first musical encounter, with the People Project band,an inter-cultural, multi-lingual international musical collective exploring music from around the world, turned out to become an even greater synergic reunion. Formed by young artists from different parts of the Americas (Canada, Mexico, Brazil), the gathering resulted in an explosion of talents in which each one of the musicians greatly influenced each other. People Project and Rommel’s performances at Café Nostálgica (a cultural hot-spot in Ottawa known for its diversity, its warmth and its ongoing support for the arts) became legendary among the Ottawa’s musical scene. By mesmerizing the audience week after week, the artists succeeded in creating a small legion of fans who religiously attended the group’s performances. Rommel also has participated in People Project on a number of occasions and continues to do so. Among the more prominent performances, he was featured with the group at “FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DE JAZZ DE MONTREAL“, “OTTAWA INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL“, “GLOBAL GROOVES-TORONTO” and “OTTAWA BLUESFEST” among other festivals, where he collaborated on a mix of People Project and Rommel’s original material.

Rommel has just completed his month tour back home and is preparing to start at school in Montreal. He is gracing Ottawa’s Mercury Lounge stage for his return performance!

Friday September 19th 22:00 Mercury Lounge Ottawa

Joni NehRita passed through Ottawa tonight promoting her new Cd “A fine time”. The atmosphere at the Mercury lounge was comfortable and laid back, those present enjoyed the soulful voice of Joni. She was accompanied by three musicians who have been touring with her. The chemistry between them was interesting to see; the up beat Jazz drumming and funky bass lines gave it the kick it needed to make it a great show. Joni’s Cd is well worth the buy, as it sets the mood for a pleasant night. Check out her Myspace here.

Karma Controllers channel a wide breadth of influences into a cohesive blend of indie- rock and jazz. Their new album, Sirens, is the result of carefully crafting those influences into a focused whole. Ambitious, but never self-important, Karma Controllers have created a unique album that stands out from the crowded Canadian indie-music scene.

With Sirens, Karma Controllers draw upon their contemporaries like Stars and Nada Surf. Helen Kuan’s vocals are reminiscent of Jenny Lewis, Jack Jamieson attributes Sondre Lerche as an inspiration to his guitar playing, and Jesse Paul’s drums owe as much to big-band jazz as they do to modern rock styles. Those influences are combined with a love of classic composers like Cole Porter as well as modern Japanese jazz bands such as Soil & “Pimp” Sessions.

Sirens is an eclectic album that features lush instrumentation including guitars, glockenspiel, mandolin, accordion, horns, flute, keyboards, drums and string sections. Each song is different and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The band describes their production method:

“We don’t limit ourselves on record to what is possible to perform live, we use a lot of instruments and certainly have a lot more going on at once than we could do without overdubbing. That being said, we make sure our songs sound great in both settings – our songs need to work live, when we’re more limited with our instrumentation, and the most important thing is to have a solid foundation of melody and song-writing.”

The Longest Year opens the record with folky mandolin and becomes a rich sounding rock song. Whisper Sister features back and forth male-female vocals and a wailing horn section. Searchlights 2 begins as a silky jazz tale of longing for an ex-lover and evolves into a spy-themed, orchestra accompanied climax. Throughout the album, lyrics express the difficulties of travel, ambition, and abandoned loved ones, with each song revealing different facets of these themes.

Sirens is a confident album by Karma Controllers and demonstrates that they are not afraid of forging their own musical identity.

Moonstarr is indeed one busy cat. If he’s not busy on the phone holding things down on the biz side for his label Public Transit Recordings, the man’s hunkered down behind closed doors over his synths, drum machines, and samplers to bang out some killer beats. Moonstarr cites such diverse influences as 4 Hero, DJ Premier, and Underground Resistance. Everything he touches carries imprints of deep techno, jazz, hip hop, bossa, and broken beat, resulting in tracks that step far into the future. And it’s not like people haven’t noticed. Ever since Moon’s dropped the now-classic Dupont EP, he’s received love for his work the world over.

People like Jazzanova, Recloose, Ivana Santilli, Rednose Distrikt, Mad Matts and others have called up the studio red phone for remixes that have charted from San Francisco to Tokyo, London to Hamburg, and all points in between. Big name DJs like Gilles Peterson, Mr. Scruff (one of my personal favourites, actually — check out “Get A Move On”), Rainer Truby, and DJ Spinna have mashed out many-a dancefloor with some Moonstarr niceness. He’s rocked parties all over the planet for fans in the UK, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, across Canada, and the USA. In the works is a full-length album to be released in the near future (with proceeds going to charity) as well as many more remixes and great new music on Public Transit Recordings.

Taking its name from a religious tract, The Burning Hell has been slithering around in the muck in one form or another since the dawn of the millennium. Fronted by the moderately agoraphobic songwriter and occasional history teacher Mathias Kom on electric ukulele, The Burning Hell currently features between one and twelve people, depending on the night.

The variable lineup promises a very different show every time: sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, sometimes rock, sometimes roll. Always folk, never anti. Quirky? Maybe. Cute? Never.

The latest Burning Hell album, ‘Happy Birthday’, celebrates the beauty of age, the joys of decay, the possibility of dating after death, and the inevitable repetition of mistakes. Combining happy little melodies and depressing Old World fatalism, the music of The Burning Hell is sure to make you smile and want to give up.

(and if you want a good laugh, check out these boys doing an impromptu cover of Outkast’s ‘Hey Ya’)

Upcoming shows:
31 Jul 2008 21:00 Ampersand Charlottetown, Prince Edward
2 Aug 2008 20:00 Sappyfest Sackville, New Brunswick
15 Aug 2008 21:00 Rancho Relaxo Toronto, Ontario
21 Aug 2008 20:00 The Montreal House Peterborough, Ontario
25 Aug 2008 21:00 Solo at Bread & Circus Toronto, Ontario
27 Aug 2008 21:00 The Apollo Thunder Bay, Ontario
28 Aug 2008 21:00 Times Change(d) Winnipeg, Manitoba
1 Sep 2008 21:00 The Club (at The Exchange) Regina, Saskatchewan
2 Sep 2008 21:00 Ottoman Lounge Medicine Hat, Alberta
3 Sep 2008 21:00 The Slice Lethbridge, Alberta
4 Sep 2008 20:00 Tubby Dog Calgary, Alberta
5 Sep 2008 21:00 Little Mountain Studio Vancouver, British Columbia
6 Sep 2008 21:00 Hermann’s Victoria, British Columbia
9 Sep 2008 21:00 Deux Soleils Vancouver, British Columbia
10 Sep 2008 19:00 Meow Records Prince George, British Columbia
11 Sep 2008 21:00 Likwid Lounge Edmonton, Alberta
12 Sep 2008 21:00 Amigos Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
14 Sep 2008 21:00 The Apollo Thunder Bay, Ontario
16 Sep 2008 21:00 Solo at The Spill with Al Tuck and Black Molly Peterborough, Ontario
18 Sep 2008 20:00 The Montreal House Peterborough, Ontario
10 Oct 2008 20:00 Aufsturz Berlin
13 Oct 2008 20:00 Nancy Jazz Pulsations Festival Nancy
14 Oct 2008 21:00 Le Sirius Lyon
16 Oct 2008 20:00 Mistral Palace Valence
17 Oct 2008 20:00 De Nieuwe Anita Amsterdam
19 Oct 2008 15:00 DB’s Utrecht
28 Oct 2008 20:00 West Germany Berlin
31 Oct 2008 20:00 The Montreal House Halloween Party Peterborough, Ontario
1 Nov 2008 21:00 The Black Sheep Inn Wakefield, Quebec
11 Nov 2008 20:00 Gus’ Pub Halifax, Nova Scotia
12 Nov 2008 20:00 Struts Sackville, New Brunswick
13 Nov 2008 21:00 Baba’s Charlottetown, Prince Edward
15 Nov 2008 21:00 Grumpy’s Montreal, Quebec

Afrodizz brings the genuine Afro Funk ruckus. Formed in 2002 under the lead of jazz guitarist Gabriel Aldama, this Montreal-based powerhouse has quickly become one of Canada’s premiere Afrobeat outfits. Drawing inspiration from the work of the legendary Fela Kuti, these eight stellar musicians use their jazz experience to expand on the foundation sound with a modern urban touch.

Though the band doesn’t have any scheduled performances in the near future, they’re always booking so I’m sure we’ll get word soon of where you can see them live. Until then, check out their web site for sample tracks, pictures, and more video.

July 12th, 2008 Fame and Therapy launched the Album Release of MIAMI SUNSET SESSIONS featuring Jojoflores from Gotsoul Records & HALO from City Deep Music. Jojoflores is a celebrated Montreal DJ with a signature sound that resonates sweet, soulful melodies and a profound jazzy vibe. He is also highly respected for his rare underground garage house. Jojoflores maintains regular residencies at Cherry (MTL) and Cielo (NYC).

Jojoflores was joined by Toronto DJ, Mat Chrysdale. The CD release took place at Toronto King St. West resto/bar Brassaii.

Purchase MIAMI SUNSET SESSIONS today! Or better yet, hit up the next CD Release party at Tribe Hyper Club (MTL) 10pm Friday July 18th. Jojoflores will be joined by Mike “FU” Fresco.

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.

That’s right, folks, we’ll be there! And we hope you will be too! The Ottawa International Jazz Festival is the National Capital Region’s premier music event. Entering its twenty-eighth year of consecutive programming and operation, the Ottawa International Jazz Festival is the second longest continuous- running jazz festival in Canada, and boasts the biggest loyal audience of any event in eastern Ontario! It is known to have presented some of the most dynamic jazz artists on the scene today from the traditional to the avant-garde.

So be there or be square, ya dig? All the hep cats will be there, man.  Watch for us and be sure to say hi!

With distinctive and dynamic vocal artistry, unique and original songwriting skills and wide range of influences and inspirations, Jennie Laws has emerged as a beautiful and brilliantly talented new arrival on the cutting edge of today’s music.

Yet for all her extraordinary gifts, the Toronto-born singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist is perhaps most notable for her ability to bring it all together in one accessible and appealing package. Small wonder word of mouth has been spreading steadily since Jennie Laws first began recording and performing, both in her hometown and for a growing fan base from New York to Los Angeles and beyond.It’s a buzz that’s about to grow a lot louder with the release of her debut EP. Featuring such Laws originals as “Heavenly,” “I Just Wanna Be Close To You,” “So Deep” and “My Soul,” it’s a collection that effortlessly spans musical genres while at the same time laying claim to a style that is wholly and completely her own. Mixing contemporary urban grooves with folk-flavored nuances and jazz-tinged flourishes, Jennie Laws has fashioned an alluring soundscape that draws on a lifetime of music making and points to a promising future for this passionate and polished young artist.

“It took me a while to realize that the music going around in my head ever since I can remember was there for a reason,” says Jennie. “As much as it is about entertaining people, it’s also about creating positive energy and spreading love. There’s a purpose to what I do and that’s the most important element of the songs I write and sing.”

It’s a purpose to which Jennie has been wholeheartedly committed ever since she can remember. “Music has always been there,” she explains. “Some of my first toys were musical instruments and although I experimented with acting and dancing and athletics, by the time I got into my teens I realized that music had a special place in my life.”

It did indeed and with characteristic determination, Jennie pursued it wholeheartedly, joining a series of singing groups, studying classical guitar and, at age sixteen, recording early originals on a four-track machine. “My influences are literally too numerous to mention,” she laughs. “It begins with Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Louis Armstrong and then carried on to artists like George Michael and Michael Jackson. By the time I got to college, it was like I was carrying a musical encyclopedia around in my head; everyone from Duke Ellington and Miles Davis to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder. I’ve also always admired artists like Ani DiFranco, Ben Harper and Lenny Kravtiz for the way in which they were able to build a solid base, one fan at a time.”

It was at the Southwestern School for Musical Vocations in Iowa where Jennie plunged into an intensive study regimen that included courses in arranging and conducting as well as ample opportunities to perform with fellow students. “I toured with school jazz vocal and instrumental groups,” she remembers, “and in between I was getting a great classical education. But the most important lesson I learned at the time was to never settle, to always strive to make the most beautiful music I possibly can without letting the ego get in the way.”

Check out this EP, available on CD Baby:

It was a realization that she would carry with her into the next stage of her musical apprenticeship, when she received a full scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee School of Music. “It all came together there,” she continues. “My natural inclination was toward a very earthy, gypsy style, which got filtered through the World Music I was exposed to – Latin, Indian and African – as well as hip-hop and R&B and even some classical influences like Ravel and Debussy.” Jennie absorbed it all and, in the process, began to fashion a sound that, while mixing and matching a broad range of approaches, was still unmistakably her own.

The result is Jennie Laws’ stunning debut EP. Showcasing her evocative and emotionally resonant singing and songwriting, the collection also boasts a impressive roster of supporting talent, including engineering by, among others, Grammy-winner Ari Raskin, and Juno-winner L. Stu Young.

Through it all, Jennie Laws had maintained her belief that music can bring wholeness and healing to the world. “My goal is simple,” she concludes: “To make the best music I can.” It’s a goal she’s reached and exceeds on her debut EP.

June 19 2008 The Supermarket (268 Augusta Ave.) Toronto, ON