Northern Groove

Harmonica Workshop with Carlos Del Junco, presented by Face The Music, Thursday, March 22/2012 at 5:30pm

Where - North Peace Cultural Centre

Face The Music is proud to say we have a once in a lifetime offer. Now, I'm always saying that these workshops are great. It's an opportunity to learn from an international artist. As we continue the Face The Music project with support from the City of Fort St.John we are looking forward to seeing some more amazing workshops. This is no exception.

REMEMBER! You don't have to play a harmonica to attend, just come hang and learn.

To say Carlos del Junco plays the harmonica is like saying "Jimi Hendrix plays guitar". He blows the blues harp through a prism -- suddenly it seems he's holding every color in the musical rainbow right there in his hands. Simultaneously sophisticated and raw, his playing blurs the boundaries between blues and jazz (hence the name for his band "The Blues Mongrels").

In a class with such greats as Toots Theilmans, Paul Butterfield and Howard Levy, formerly of Bela Fleck’s Flecktones,  he’s a true virtuoso in every sense of the word.  Cuban born del Junco is known as the worlds best, holding not one but two Gold Medals from the Hohner World Harmonica Championship in Trossingen, Germany, as well as multiple national and international awards. 

For erudite “harp” blowers: del Junco plays a ten hole diatonic harmonica, and has developed the unique ability to play chromatically by using an "overblow" technique taught to him by jazz virtuoso Howard Levy and is more expressive and communicative than the mechanized tone produced by the chromatic harmonica. Carlos is one of the few pioneers of this overblow method.

For more info on the workshop and show go to: www.npcc.bc.ca

For more info on Carlos go to: www.carlosdeljunco.com

Harmonica Workshop with Carlos Del Junco

Face The Music is proud to say we have a once in a lifetime offer. Now, I'm always saying that these workshops are great. It's an opportunity to learn from an international artist. As we continue the Face The Music project with support from the City of Fort St.John we are looking forward to seeing some more amazing workshops. This is no exception. REMEMBER, you do not have to be a harp player to attend!!! Come hang out and learn, no previous knowledge is necessary. Just come hang.

The workshop takes place at The North Peace Cultural Centre, March 22, THIS THURSDAY at 5:30 pm.

To say Carlos del Junco plays the harmonica is like saying "Jimi Hendrix plays guitar". He blows the blues harp through a prism -- suddenly it seems he's holding every color in the musical rainbow right there in his hands. Simultaneously sophisticated and raw, his playing blurs the boundaries between blues and jazz (hence the name for his band "The Blues Mongrels").

In a class with such greats as Toots Theilmans, Paul Butterfield and Howard Levy, formerly of Bela Fleck’s Flecktones,  he’s a true virtuoso in every sense of the word.  Cuban born del Junco is known as the worlds best, holding not one but two Gold Medals from the Hohner World Harmonica Championship in Trossingen, Germany, as well as multiple national and international awards. 

For erudite “harp” blowers: del Junco plays a ten hole diatonic harmonica, and has developed the unique ability to play chromatically by using an "overblow" technique taught to him by jazz virtuoso Howard Levy and is more expressive and communicative than the mechanized tone produced by the chromatic harmonica. Carlos is one of the few pioneers of this overblow method.

For more info on the show go to www.npcc.bc.ca

Matt Andersen has confirmed a Blues Guitar workshop at The North Peace Cultural Centre on Sunday, February 12th at 5pm! Cost: $5.00

...we don't even know what we don't know until we know what it is that we don't know. Wrap your head around that one!

I'm really looking forward to this. If you play guitar or any instrument and live in Fort St. John I'm only going to assume that I'll see you at the NPCC aka the North Peace Cultural Centre at 5pm on Sunday. These opportunities are rare, so if you have some time come hang out and learn something. It's a rare day to learn from a 3 time Maple Blues Awards winner.

Here's a little bit about Matt....

John Lee Hooker said it years ago: “It’s too late to quit now!”

For guitarist singer and songwriter Matt Andersen, it’s not too late — but he’s pushing hard to build an international career, and it’s falling into place.

After touring Australia  — including seven days at the massive Woodford Folk Festival north of Brisbane over the Christmas-New Year’s period — he was one of the handfull of acoustic performers on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise in the Caribbean. It was his second trip on the cruise; this time he played alongside Taj Mahal, Bettye Lavette, Tommy Castro, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, fellow Canadian Shakura S’Aida and dozens more.

When he’s not on tour, he’s now living in Wolfville, outside Halifax, Nova Scotia. Chances are, however, that he’ll not be at home long — he’s booked (so far) at nine major Canadian folk, blues and rock festivals this summer.

He’s also signed an exclusive agreement with Steven Scharf Entertainment in New York, a major company that licenses music to film, television, commercial sponsors and other platforms.

Bring all you don't know and Face the Music with Matt. You know it'll be great. 

Workshop: 5$ 

Show: 40$ (adults) 35$ (Youth/Seniors) 

DEAL: If you've purchased your show ticket already the workshop is free! (must show ticket) 

For more info on the show, check out: http://www.npcc.bc.ca/

For more info on Matt, check out: http://www.stubbyfingers.ca/

3 Time Maple blues Award winner, Matt Andersen performs Live at The North Peace Cultural Centre!

Matt Andersen Peforms Live at The North Peace Cultural Centre on Sunday February 12 at 7:30pm, Tickets are still available.

John Lee Hooker said it years ago: “It’s too late to quit now!”

For guitarist singer and songwriter Matt Andersen, it’s not too late — but he’s pushing hard to build an international career, and it’s falling into place.

Now — while he’s currently touring the interior of British Columbia on a seven-date tour — he’s preparing for a two-month trip to Europe, where he has nine concerts in Holland, and no less than 17 in England, Ireland and Scotland.  The tour starts in Holland on February 24, and ends March 29 in the UK. 

After touring Australia  — including seven days at the massive Woodford Folk Festival north of Brisbane over the Christmas-New Year’s period — he was one of the handfull of acoustic performers on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise in the Caribbean. It was his second trip on the cruise; this time he played alongside Taj Mahal, Bettye Lavette, Tommy Castro, Kenny Wayne Sheppard, fellow Canadian Shakura S’Aida and dozens more.

When he’s not on tour, he’s now living in Wolfville, outside Halifax, Nova Scotia. Chances are, however, that he’ll not be at home long — he’s booked (so far) at nine major Canadian folk, blues and rock festivals this summer.

He’s also signed an exclusive agreement with Steven Scharf Entertainment in New York, a major company that licenses music to film, television, commercial sponsors and other platforms. 

At home, Andersen has been nominated in five categories at the East Coast Music Awards to be held in Moncton, NB in April — including nominations for Entertainer of the Year, Video of the Year and Album of the Year for his new release Coal Mining Blues on the Busted Flat label.

In January he traveled to Toronto to receive no less than three national Maple Blues Awards, as Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist and Acoustic Artist of the Year.

Matt will also be hosting a Face The Music blues guitar workshop on Sunday afternoon, stay tuned for more details!

For more info on the show, check out: http://www.npcc.bc.ca/

For more info on Matt, check out: http://www.stubbyfingers.ca/

African Guitar Summit

The African Guitar Summit is performing at The North Peace Cultural Centre on January 23 at 7:30.

Face The Music Workshop with African Guitar Summit - Monday January 23 at 5:30 at the North Peace Cultural Centre

Alright, so as a musician I dream of concerts like this. Nine guitar players of African descent touring together to showcase some of the best music this planet has to offer. As a young percussionist the music of Africa was so intriguing. The melodies are intricate and beautiful. The rhythms create a pulse that makes you dance and groove. Once I started to explore African music I soon came to the truth that the roots of blues, jazz, rock, and country were given birth in a continent so far away.

As a musician, I'm not really suggesting you attend I'm actually going to reach out on a limb and telling you to buy a ticket... NOW. The African Guitar Summit is performing at The North Peace Cultural Centre on January 23 at 7:30. You can buy tickets at www.npcc.bc.ca.

BUT, a big BUT, if you are a musician, interested in music or just love the music of Africa you need to check out the Face The Music workshop, it's taking place at The NPCC on Monday January 23 at 5:30 at the North Peace Cultural Centre. This music is the roots of almost everything we listen to. Let's hear some great guitar players.

The star-studded collective unites the talents of 9 musicians, each an expert in their individual style. The African Summit features: From Guinea, the smooth fire of Juno Award winner Alpha YaYa Diallo, with his countryman Naby Camara on balafon; From Ghana, we have the elder master of the guitar, Pa Joe, the “golden voice” Theo Boakye, and the heartbeat of drummer Kofi Ackah; From Kenya, Professor Adam Solomon brings the Fiesta guitar. From Burundi/Rwanda, we have the bluesy Mighty Popo; and from Madagascar we have the quicksilver guitars and harmonies of Donne Roberts and multiple Juno Award winner Madagascar Slim. 

See ya there,

Dave 

There may be a hundred feet of snow out there, but this weekend at the North Peace Cultural Centre, Alex Cuba is heating things up with some Cuban rhythms.

At 5:30pm tomorrow, you can hang out with Alex and his afro at an awesome and inspiring Face The Music session. It's only five bucks and you can learn from Alex's experiences as a Grammy-winning artist and maybe pick up a few tips and tricks.

Face The Music with Alex Cuba, Saturday, November 19th at 5:30pm!

And don't forget your tickets to the Alex Cuba show on Saturday, November 19th at 7pm - Tickets are $40.00 Adult, $35.00 Seniors/Youth, $25/12 and under.  Tickets are available at the box office, by phone at (250) 785-1992 or online.

Forget the snow and cold, because the North Peace Cultural Centre is going Cuban!

This weekend is gonna be full of awesome music. Ted Russell Kamp is live on the scene at JD Fitzgerald's on Friday and Saturday, November 11th and 12th at 8 pm. 

Ted Russell Kamp plays some awesome country and southern rock - in fact, it has been called "a juicy gumbo of country, Southern-fried rock and soul". He is the long-time bassist for Shooter Jennings but his musical talent spreads from the bass to the guitar, mandolin, keyboards, lap steel, accordion, trombone and trumpet. 

Not only can you see Ted play on Friday or Saturday, he will also be speaking at a Face the Music workshop on Saturday (Nov 12) at 2pm at the North Peace Cultural Centre. It's only $5 at the door and you can sit in and listen as Ted talks about his experiences. This is a must-go for musicians in FSJ - an awesome opportunity to hang out with a music pro and learn some tips!

Also there will be another opportunity to see Ted at JD's on Sunday, November 13th, starting at 2pm. This show is part of the Soulshine Express Music Society fundraiser and for only $15, you can donate to the cause AND partake of the all-you-can-eat pasta bar! The stage will be open, so head down for a good jammin' time - maybe even grab your guitar, violin, spoons, etc and join the jam!

Check out Ted's sound: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Zhu2YNziMY

A workingman's musician with a thorough grasp of his craft,Ted Russell Kamp proves himself as a solo artist and songwriter of note with Get back To The Land (Dualtone Music), which debuted at #1 on the Euroamericana Chart - January 2011 and reached the top 25 on the Americana Music Association Chart. Get Back to the Land follows on the heels of the widely praised Poor Man's Paradise which was named one of the Top 100 Americana releases of '08 and Divisaderowhich was in the top 40 of 2007. Kamp, a relentless touring musician (2 weeks of touring for every month) will be ending a Southern run and returning to Los Angeles on June 19th for his hometown record release party at The Echo. 

Experience and learn from Ted at a intimate Face The Music Workshop at the North Peace Cultural Centre on Saturday, November 12 at 2 pm.

http://www.tedrussellkamp.com/index.html

Face the Music with the amazing Abrams Brothers on Friday, October 14th at 5:30 pm - onstage at the Cultural Centre. It's only $5!

A great opportunity to meet and hear how they started, musical insights, tips and performance secrets (no, we won't kill you after). Though they're not yet in their 20's, they've lived, breathed and played their respective instruments their entire lives. Their vocal harmonizing and blending in itself is reason to attend the workshop AND the show.

"We sure hope to meet and see musicians and anyone who is interested in music at the workshop. It's really a great way for us to get to know your community and we hope you'll come out to our show at 7:30 as well!" - John Abrams.

Thank you, City of Fort St John.

Building on Fort St. John’s designation as The Music Capitol of Northern BC, Face The Music has been an outstanding success. We’ve have been running the workshops for over 8 months and each one has been a creative playground for both the artists and the community.

This year alone we had the opportunity to expand our reach to songwriters, musicians, classical pianists, blues guitar players, dj’s, and many more. We had Peter Katz, and songwriter from Toronto. We got to learn how to play the blues with Guy Davis from New York City. Harpdog Brown taught us the intricacies of the harmonica. Sarah Hagen explored the classical realm and Fred Eaglesmith told us the reality of what it takes to be a songwriter, really... no really. Ill Gates educated us on how to work with Abelton Live and produce music with total different inspiration. Harry Manx showed us how true life experience will build beautiful music. Harry did put out his first cd out when he was 47.  We all still got time.

All in all Face The Music has been a really great experience for both the artists and the community. Getting the opportunity to explore new ideas, different styles of music, and discover music we may have never heard before will forever leave a legacy of talent in Fort St. John.

If we’re gonna claim to be The Music Capitol of Northern BC, we gotta own it, and show the rest of the world that we can put the music where our mouth is.

Place Quotes around page, use pics from past FTM articles...

"Face the Music workshop were always inspirational, entertaining and a hell of a bargain at $5"
-Nick Baccante

“An initiative like Face The Music solidifies our city’s reputation as The Music Capital of Northern BC. A collaborative effort between city government and the music community, it goes a long way to taking music out to the community, which adds significantly to the quality of life in Fort St. John.”-Bruce Lantz, Mayor, City of Fort St. John

Dear Face the Music people:

I am writing to thank you for your involvement in the Face the Music workshops that the City of Fort Saint John has been sponsoring. I have had the pleasure of taking in a few of them. I really think these are valuable to the local arts and music community. I personally have grown a lot as a musician and song writer by attending these workshops.

The Peter Katz workshop especially was so enlightening for me. When I attended the workshop I was in the middle of a writing dry spell.
In the two weeks after Peter coming I wrote and completed 4 songs, two of which are in the process of being recorded.

I also have a handfull of friends who attended the Guy Davis blues workshop and found it really valuable.
I just want to say thank you again and hope that this can continue on in the future.

Sincerely, Joseph te Bulte