Here are some of the types of music that I love to listen to.
They are a folk influenced band from Newfoundland, but they are making their mark across Canada! Great Big Sea, which was formed in St. John's, NF in 1991, consists of Alan Doyle (Petty Harbour), Séan McCann (Gull Island), Darrell Power (Outer Cove), and Bob Hallett (St. John's). Their music is an energetic combination of Celtic rock and sing-along folk, while remaining unmistakably traditional.
It is almost impossible to try and describe their music in one or two words. Bob describes them as "a really aggressive folk band that marries traditional Celtic music with modern rhythms." Alan has also described their sound as a "combination of sounds of ageless music with the energy of 80's rock 'n' roll."
GBS is primarily a live band, performing over 270 shows last year across Canada, the USA and the UK. They have also recorded 4 albums (Great Big Sea, Up and Play), the most recent of which, was released in May 1997. They have also just released their first American album, 'Rant and Roar', which is a compilation of their two previous albums, Up and Play. They have sold out concerts right across the country, been nominated for two Juno Awards and fans have voted them Entertainer of the Year for 3 consecutive years at the East Coast Music Awards. At a music festival in Poland, they won the People's Choice Award. And a successful tour of England and Scotland led to an invitation to perform at the prestigious Cambridge Folk Festival... but Great Big Sea are just getting started.
If you want more information about the band members, please visit The Great Big Sea Online Kitchen Party, their official WebSite and my GBS page: Rant & Roar With Great Big Sea.
They may be young in years, but Slàinte Mhath (pronounced Slawn-cha Va and meaning good cheer in Gaelic) are definitely not new to the East Coast music scene. The group consists of five members: Ryan MacNeil (23), Boyd MacNeil (18), Bruce MacPhee (24), Lisa Gallant (19) and Brian Talbot (?). Both Ryan and Boyd are younger brothers to the Barra MacNeils.
Ryan MacNeil completed 10 years Royal Conservatory piano and 2 years Jazz Studies at St.F.X. University. Boyd MacNeil started fiddle when he was 4 years old. Now thirteen years later he has worked 11 instruments into his repertoire. Lisa Gallant began dancing at the age of 6 and has since developed into a versatile musician. Bruce MacPhee began his musical career with 6 years of Royal Conservatory piano. Shortly after, he began studying the bagpipes and then went on to lead the Gaelic College Pipe Band to win a North American Championship and became the youngest Pipe Major to lead a pipe band to win a World Championship.
Prophecy is Slàinte Mhath's independent debut release. The band was nominated for a 1998 East Coast Music Award in the Instrumental Group of the Year category for their work on the album. All of their material on Prophecy is instrumental, but they are now starting to add vocals to their repertoire. They are also currently hard at work on a new album, tentatively titled Music For The Kilted Generation.
Their extensive touring schedule has taken them through a variety of East Coast venues including outdoor festivals, conventions, theatres, pubs, local dance halls, and the odd ceilidh. They have performed alongside the likes of Great Big Sea, The Barra MacNeils, John Allan Cameron, Natalie MacMaster, Ashley MacIsaac, J.P. Cormier, Mary Jane Lamond, Bruce Guthro, Leahy, and Matt Minglewood...to name a few.
If you'd like to learn more about them check out their official WebSite: Slàinte Mhath and my website: The Official Unofficial Slainte Mhath Website. And if you'd like to see more of them check out my Slàinte Mhath Photo Gallery.
King of the alto sax, jazz great Charlie "Yardbird" Parker enthralled the world with his one-of-a-kind spirit and unmatched musical talent. Born in Kansas City, Missouri August 29, 1920, he was one of the most important and influential saxophonists and jazz players of the 1940's.
The song, Yardbird Suite, put together by Charlie and the McShann band, produced Charlie's nickname "Yardbird." The self taught sax player pushed himself and those around him to the forefront of jazz artistry as he broke boundaries with his gusty style and creative technique. Deep reaching harmony and mind-boggling tempo set Parker ahead of his time. His rich understanding of the essence of jazz placed him alongside a legendary line-up of jazz icons. Parker, with his passion for perfection, poured pure soul from his sax with unbelievable speed, imagination, and mastery. His uique style and technical skill produced sweet melodic sounds that launched him above and beyond the status of a great musician.
Charlie "Yardbird" Parker was an amazing saxophonist who gained wide recognition for his brilliant solos and innovative improvisations. He was, without a doubt, one of the most influential and talented musicians in jazz history.