Roberto López’s Afro-Colombian Guitar: ‘It is all about the groove….’

Roberto López was one of the surprises of Calgary’s 2018 Folk Music Festival. Born and raised in Colombia, living in Montreal, his website describes his music style as modern Latin music with hip arrangements. Under Colombian grooves he unabashedly adds jazz, funk and electronic music to the mix.
Continue Reading >Roberto López’s Afro-Colombian Guitar: ‘It is all about the groove….’

Flamenco: The Blues of Spain in Calgary

‘Flamenco Calgary Presents: Flamenco Tablao, an intimate Flamenco performance of song, music and dance bringing together Salero Caló’s original members. Back from Seville for the Christmas holidays, Annette Morcos (La Mora), founder of Salero Caló, will be joining them on stage for the first time since 2014. The group will also be joined by Silvia Te on song.’
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Having fun: Tom and the Orchestra still defy East Coast classification

In the best interviewing tradition, the first thing I do when speaking with Tom Fun Orchestra’s frontman, Ian MacDougall, is remind him that I offended his sensibilities in our first conversation (following the Orch’s first CD tour in 2010). At that time he responded to my simplistic interpretation with, essentially, ‘We don’t need no stinkin’ kitchen party!’

Essentially.

“I don’t think I’d be nearly so (concerned) about it now,” he says on the phone, while wandering the streets of Vancouver during their current tour last week. “I don’t even think I was then.”
Continue Reading >Having fun: Tom and the Orchestra still defy East Coast classification

Reggae at the Stampede? A brilliant mix in the heat of summer

Yup. Not exactly the standard fare for the ‘Greatest Outdoor Show On Earth,’ but you have to admit if there’s a music that belongs outside in the popular psyche, it’s Reggae. Does anyone even listen to reggae inside?

Except in Canada, of course. Otherwise there’d be an 8-month hiatus every year from the rasta riddim.
Continue Reading >Reggae at the Stampede? A brilliant mix in the heat of summer

Souljah Fyah’s Jammin’ The Republik

Janaya’s children keep surfacing in the room behind her while we speak. So the phone conversation ranges between the ebullient creative professional, in her 10th year of performance in the band she founded, and the teacher/mom who tells me I’m lucky my daughter has turned 16: “If she did okay through 14, you’re okay.” Unexpected emotional support before we dig into the history of Soujah Fyah.

“Our first show would have been in 2002; I started the band in 2001, so we passed our 10th anniversary in April! We’re very … Continue Reading >Souljah Fyah’s Jammin’ The Republik