“It kinda felt like cultural knowledge FOMO.” That’s how Kat Estacio explains the feeling that became Toronto gong-punk ensemble Pantayo. The group—an all-women collective of immigrant and second-generation Filipinos—grew out of a desire to form a deeper connection with their culture and identities. And so together they dove into the history and sheet music of […]
halifax jazz festival
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Jazz Fest adds Alvvays, Chaka Khan and more to stacked 2018 lineup
The Halifax Jazz Festival, which kicked off this year with a very sweet double-barrelled announcement of The War on Drugs and Daniel Caesar, followed in recent weeks by Charlotte Day Wilson and Land of Talk, unveiled its more headliners yesterday. Canadian superstars Alvvays (July 11, Tent) and life superstar Chaka Khan (July 12, Tent) have […]
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The War on Drugs play Jazz Fest 2018
The Halifax Jazz Festival continues to raise the bar after an astonishing run of St. Vincent, Lauryn Hill and Anderson .Paak with a hot headliner double-punch, announcing The War on Drugs (July 11, $52.50) and Daniel Caesar (July 15, $37.50) as part of this year’s lineup. Both shows are co-pros with Sonic Concerts, and tix […]
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The year in music
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals at Halifax Jazz Festival Watching Anderson .Paak, one of the hottest current R&B artists, alternate between jumping around the stage to hyping the crowd from behind a drum kit seemed too good to actually be happening in Halifax. The crowd ate it up, singing along with every word and […]
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Review: Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals at the Halifax Jazz Fest
Hot damn Halifax–that was some sexy night. Reeny Smith’s impassioned opening performance was a perfect match for the high dose of sex and swagger that followed when Anderson .Paak and his band The Free Nationals launched into the opening pulsations of “Milk & Honey” in front of a rapturous audience eager and willing to be […]
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Kirsten Olivia goes her own way
Kirsten Olivia Thursday, July 13, 11:15pm, $15 The Carleton Music Bar & Grill 1685 Argyle Street Kirsten Olivia is forging her own path, focusing on living her truth and being honest and creative. The powerful R&B force is embarking on a year: Festival showcases, like this weekend’s double set at the Carleton; an opening slot […]
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The transcendence of Anderson .Paak
Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals w/Reeny Smith Saturday, July 15, 8:30pm Jazz Fest Main Stage Lower Water and Salter Streets $60+fees “It’s like eating a Ferrero Rocher,” I say when my mother asks what Anderson .Paak‘s music is like. “It’s beautifully packaged; once you unwrap it, you quickly get to its core and then […]
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Lucky number 13: Gypsophilia ends on a high note after 13 years
Gypsophilia w/The Mellotones Sunday, July 16, 8:30pm Jazz Fest Main Stage Lower Water and Salter Streets free The year is 2004. Those involved in the music scene will remember this year as the moment stars aligned to form the jazz band Gypsophilia. A gig at the Halifax Jazz Festival brought together the group of musicians, […]
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Sam Wilson’s Evergreen story
The Evergreen Project Saturday, July 15 at 11am Dartmouth Peace Pavilion, 88 Alderney Drive Free “My music teacher in high school sat me down and asked if I’d ever thought about pursuing music in university and I said ‘um no,’” says jazz guitarist Sam Wilson, who thankfully changed her tune. “My parents are very career […]
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Joe Sealy’s Africville Stories inspires
Joe Sealy’s Africville Stories Saturday, July 15, 7pm St. Matthew’s Church, 1479 Barrington Street $35 Joe Sealy‘s father was born in Africville, living there for almost a decade before moving to Montreal, where he lived until the end of his life in 1992. Sealy wrote an eight-minute song called “Africville” in his honour and recorded […]
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Review: Keonté Beals, Man Overboard
In just four songs, North Preston’s Keonté Beals covers a lot of ground, and doesn’t pull any punches from the jump: The kick-off, “Man Down,” may feature the claps and laser synths of Top 40 pop, but the subject matter is much more serious. “How can I go through the motions once again?” Beals asks […]
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Review: Blue Spirits, Liquid Courage
Liquid Courage is the debut recording from Blue Spirits, the Halifax quartet led by trumpeter Paul St-Amand and self-described (accurately) as “a colourful collision of classic and contemporary.” It starts strong just on the titles of the first two songs, “Magnifico” and “How to Be Unthoughtful” (and what’s the over/under on “One Page to Another” […]