Jay Funk Dawg

Brooklyn, NYC's Reggae Family "New Kingston" is joined by Montreal's Premiere Reggae band Inword and Toronto's MeccaCity Sound for #Reggae4TheWeekend Concert at Toronto's El Mocambo.

NuFunk & Higher Society Music Group Presents

Saturday, January 11th, 2014

'Reggae 4 The Weekend'

New Kingston (NYC) & Inword (Montreal)

plus DJ's: Meccacity Sound & MC Klymatik

El Mocambo - 464 Spadina Ave. Toronto, ON

Doors at 9pm

$10 Advance, $15 at the Door

Online Tickets: http://goo.gl/n3gdIA

Facebook Link: http://on.fb.me/18oyHGS

Presented in association with:

TorontoReggae, Fusicology & Canadian Reggae World.

New Kingston have travelled the world as Collie Budds back-up and opening act known for the reggae crossover sound are joined by Inword, Montreal's definitive Reggae act featuring Marky Lyrical who has Canada's #1 Reggae hit song "Valley of Darkness" for a special wintertime reggae dance party including Meccacity Sound & MC Klymatik "De Crowd Pleasa" and hosted by Nufunk & Higher Society !

The New Kingston

http://newkingstonmusic.com/

New Kingston consists of three brothers -- Tahir a.k.a. SLIM, (keyboards). Courtney (drums) and Stephen a.k.a SUKI (guitar) -- who fuse their reggae sound with modern pop, jazz and R&B music to create their own unique sound which they call "Reggae Crossover". Youthful and refreshing yet also seasoned industry veterans, New Kingston is led by its founder/manager and father Courtney LJ Panton.

New Kingston started off working with many artists such as Collie Buddz, Mr.Vegas, Morgan Heritage, Gyptian, Shabba Ranks, and many more, which with the guidance of their manager led to the creation and manifestation of "Reggae Crossover". The idea was to blend various influences in such a way that it would appeal to the widest possible audience, while still remaining true to their heritage.

Now sharing the stage with many artists in Europe the Americas and beyond, New Kingston released their second album, In the Streets, in 2010. Two of the album’s featured singles -- the title track "In The Streets" and "Pon Di Wall" -- have gained worldwide radio recognition. For more information on one of the world’s exciting young reggae acts

Inword featuring vocalist/guitarist Marky Lyrical

Inword is a spiritually centered band that is known for performing a unique style of roots reggae. Since 2003 they have built a loyal following in Montreal, Quebec, due to their original sound which surpasses the usual monotonous critique of the reggae genre. With influences ranging from stars like Burning Spear and Alpha Blondy, to soulful singers like Ben Harper and Fela Kuti. With members hailing from Canada, Haiti, Barbados, and Antigua, Inword displays a diverse array of talent with a potent delivery.

Their aim is to express a spiritual vibration through conscious reggae music in the hope of inspiring people from all walks of life. The light of a positive message is needed in these times of materialism. Original songs are inspired from the ancient scripture of many spiritual traditions and through personal meditation on the depths of human existence.

Members include Montreal drummer “Jahsunâ€, known locally for the musical improvisation group Kalmunity, seasoned reggae bass player Neil “Bass One†Benskin, Joseph Shanahan on keyboards and Marky Lyrical on vocal and guitar,

Here's a link to a free download of the Gisto/Lutan Fya Track

More Gisto here:

Looking forward to night, the wife and I have great tickets!

Got some good books over Christmas:

JAMerica: History of the jam band & festival scene

by Peter Conners

How Music Works by David Byrne

Across the Great Divide: The Band and America by Barney Hoskyns and The Band

I just finished reading:

The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone

You Can't Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and Other Wonderful Reprobates by Sam Cutler

This Wheel's on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band by Levon Helm and Stephen Davis

Any other good music or other books that you can recommend?

I'm looking for some good recordings of "Dogs on Bikes" one of my favorite SLiP songs.. anyone have some ideas where I can find some of their best performances of this song?

here's another video from the same album "This is it"

Here's a little vid of the Slip playing Dogs on Bikes in 2003.

New Gisto featuring big Reggae Star Lutan Fya...

coming up quick!

If you've ever been to a Grateful Dead show, you know it's about the music, the dancing, the people and the vibe. It's an experience. Join Mars Hotel and the Gratefully Deadicated Sound System to experience and celebrate the music of the Grateful Dead at Toronto's Legendary Mod Club Theatre.

Mars Hotel - A Grateful Dead tribute band, complete with two drummers, has been filling A-rated live music venues all across Toronto with the most loving and enthusiastic of fans of live jams. Band Members include: Mark Arbus - Guitar and Vocals, Josh Barkin - Keys and Vocals, Larry Feldman - Guitar and Vocals, Jordan Lampert - Drums, Lorne Lampert - Drums, and Jake Sadikman - Bass.

The Gratefully Deadicated Sound System - A Live DJ combines 600+ high quality Grateful Dead concert recordings with modern House and Dance beats. The DJ spins before, after and In between two live band sets, so that the music never stops!

Doors open at 9pm.

19+

http://modclub.eventbrite.com

Just Announced:

John Butler Trio

Thu, Feb 6, 2014 08:00 PM

The Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, ON

Tickets at SS & RT and Online: http://bit.ly/ILv9mM

Website: http://johnbutlertrio.com/

New Song:

hype

Music & Politics in association with NuJazz Festival Presents

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Lettuce with guests Kc Roberts & The Live Revolution, After Funk & DJ Sean Sax

The Pheonix Concert Theatre, Sherbourne

Doors 8:00PM, $32.50

Online Tickets / Facebook

Saturday, December 14, 2013

The Fat Cats w/ After Funk

El Mocambo, 464 Spadina Ave.

Doors 9:00PM, $10-15, show 9:00PM

Online Tickets: http://fatcats.eventbrite.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/742147422480278/

Look out Toronto!

After a brief hiatus, the Fat Cats are back in the Big Smoke with special guests After Funk. Come on down to the El Mocambo on Saturday December 14th, 2013 for a great night of music.

Can you say dancetastic?!?!

Doors at 9pm. 19+ only.

Tickets are $15 and will be available at the door depending on availability. A limited number of early bird tickets are available online for $10 (until Dec. 1st or sold out).

www.fatcats.eventbrite.ca for tickets.

(Please bring your printed ticket to the show for proof of purchase)

Fat Cats

www.fatcatsjam.com

Not to be pigeon-holed by any particular style, The Fat Cats have made significant inroads within the “Jamband†genre, not only for themselves, but for a collection of other bands as well by creating an accessibility to the scene that reaches a larger group of music fans. Often being revered as the pioneers of the craft in Canada, the free flowing and uninhibited style of playing has been a specialty of the band since their inception over 20 years ago. The everlasting chemistry between the players has kept this ideal blooming throughout their history, and forges the future of their unmistakable sound and groove.

Always maintaining an organic nature that pays homage to many great singers and songwriters, the sound takes on an electrifying groove that draws on all popular genres in the last 60 years. The song writing, while timely and lyrically relevant, possesses an ageless quality that speaks to all generations of listeners; basically, if you like music, you will like the Fat Cats. The band has shown their infectious groove makes them a sure bet to both draw a crowd, and entertain.

Fat Cats Line-up:

Adam Bernstein - Drums

Chris Gatchene - Guitar and Vocals

Todd Gillies - Guitar and Vocals

Dave Hill - Bass

After Funk

Musical boundaries are something that After Funk is simply not afraid to break. Since its beginnings as a four piece funk experiment, After Funk has steadily grown into an eight member collective that is now known for bringing groovy dance music wherever it goes. Even with its constant evolution, the group has stayed true to its mission of bringing back the good vibes of yesteryear. With roots in London, Hamilton, and Toronto, the group is no stranger to travelling and can be found performing wherever people want to have a good time.

Entering its third year as a group, After Funk has played shows across Ontario and Quebec including opening spots for Walk off the Earth, Snarky Puppy, Dumpstaphunk, Five Alarm Funk, and Boogie Wonder Band. The group's first EP, "Soul'd," offers 5 tracks that range from the relaxing stylings of "Lay it Back" to the high energy funk of the group's self-titled track "After Funk." Looking forward, a second conceptual album is in the works for a 2013 release.

After Funk Line-up:

Yanick Allwood - Keys/vocals

Jaime Rosenberg - Drums

Bradley McBurney - Guitar

Justin Bontje - Bass

Phil Tessis - Guitar

Brian Walters - Trumpet

Julian Nalli - Saxophone

Jim MF Toner - Percussion

Make it Funky & NuJazz Festival Presents

Friday, November 22nd, 2013

A.Skillz w/ KC Roberts & The Live Revolution, Keener & Farbsie Funk

Revival Bar – 783 College St.

Doors: 10 PM Tickets $15 Adv at Rotate This, Play De Record, Soundscapes, Kops Records.

Online Tickets: http://tktwb.tw/15Lh8iY

Facebook Link: http://on.fb.me/1dPdchk

Festival Website: http://www.nujazz.ca

Make it Funky Website: http://www.makeitfunky.ca

On November 22nd we go back to one of our favorite spots REVIVAL with one of our favorite producers and DJs A.Skillz!

Thats right heeeeeeee’s BAAAAAACK!!

A.Skillz

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialASkillz

Record label owner, producer and DJ extraordinaire, A.Skillz’ incredible deck talents fuse funk, soul and hip-hop with D’n’B, dub-step and breaks, all sliced, mashed and cut together with a unique style of scratching and mixing.

His reputation as a true party rocker has won him prime-time slots across the world at a who’s who of major events, festivals and music industry parties including FabricLive (London), The Hit Factory (New York), WMC (Miami), Shambhala (Canada), Field Day (Sydney) and Glastonbury. Whether he’s in a club or at a festival, A.Skillz always gets the place jumpin’…As a producer A.Skillz has established himself as one of the most highly regarded in his scene, releasing countless bullets, including the infamous Insane Bangers series, a host of impressive remixes for the likes of stadium rockers Queen, dance legend Don Diablo and Northern Soul Groovers Smoove & Turrell, together with singles on the legendary Finger Lickin’ Records and the now classic artist album ‘Tricka Technology’ with breakbeat heavyweight Krafty Kuts.

Alongside his globetrotting tours and hectic studio time, A.Skillz pulls the strings at the fresh and exciting new electro soul label Jam City. Structured on the foundations of the music he loves and with it’s first release unleashed very soon, Jam City is a towering prospect built to house the finest in party rockin’, road blockin’ beats.

KC Roberts & The Live Revolution

http://www.kcroberts.ca/

KC ROBERTS & THE LIVE REVOLUTION (KCLR) are proud purveyors of beautiful vintage music (funk, jazz, rock), with an artistic obligation to shift all that’s sacredly funky and soulful into the current phase of popular music (hip-hop, house, electronic, Drum n’ Bass). Essentially an original 7-piece funk band, KCLR is well-known for its energized live performances winning the 2007 Toronto Independent Music Award for best live act. torontomusicscene.ca writes, “Their live shows are absolutely mind-blowing; the band is something entirely unique and influenced by atypical genres.†Matt Bauer of Exclaim! Magazine writes, “If one needed proof of the vitality and authenticity of new Canadian funk music, they need look no further.â€

KCLR’s third LP is a live-off-the-floor recording called Between the Cracks and was released on June 27, 2012 (see BTC for more info). In November of 2011, KCLR launched the Parkdale Funk 2 Initiative, a crowdfunding project for their upcoming double LP, Parkdale Funk 2 (SIDES), also known as PDF2. The initiative raised over $26,000 for the recording, mixing, mastering and manufacturing processes, more than three times the budget for KCLR’s two previous records combined. The success of the initiative was bolstered by a series of YouTube cover videos, which have amassed more than 100,000 views since November 2011.

Formed in 2004, KCLR have enjoyed consistent success both on stage and in the studio. In 2005, the band placed in the top 5 in Chartattack.com’s North by Northeast report card reviews. Later that year they opened for the Black Eyed Peas at Molson Amphitheatre, making such an impact that they were invited back in 2006. Since then, KC Roberts and the Live Revolution have established themselves as a high-energy live act and have become mainstays at large festivals including the TD Toronto Jazz Festival (2012), JUNOfest (2011), Distillery Jazz Festival (2007), Beaches Jazz Festival (2007, 2009-2012), Aurora Jazz Festival (2012), Sudbury Jazz Festival (2012) and Wasaga Beachfest (2009) among others.

https://www.facebook.com/Keenerthedj

KEENER is a Producer/DJ based out of Toronto who’s goal is to bring the funk back and destroy all of the pretentious and boring fist pumping DJ’s who take themselves way too seriously.

https://soundcloud.com/farbsiefunk

DJ Farbsie, founder of the Make It Funky Collective got deep into funk at Mo’ Gravy in london in 1996 prior to that his musical influences were formed in the jam band scene traveling to over 400 shows across North America. Having collected thousands of records over the years in 2000 He first stepped up to the decks and the formative years for the Make It Funky Collective began. In the years to follow Farbsie has been spreading the funk gospel and grooving dancefloors across the country. Fusing funky breaks with mowtown sounds, hiphop, calypso, reggae, and classic rock, Farbsie continues to push the boundries of where a dj can take you. Building a journey for the dancefloor that will have you smiling, shouting and singing along as you dance the night away.

The NuJazz Festival’s goal is to celebrate the spirit of jazz in a contemporary musical and presentation context; with acts that cover an incredibly diverse range of styles. Utilizing the city’s best venues and backed by top-notch publicity & promotion that creates exposure and opportunity for all involved.

Past NuJazz Festival headliners have included: Roy Ayers, Mark Farina, Breakestra, DJ Shadow, Jazzanova, Aloe Blacc, Nickodemus, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Billy Martin & Wil Blades, Tortured Soul, King Britt, DJ Chuck Love, Krafty Kuts, Trombone Shorty, Jose James, Souljazz Orchestra, Elizabeth Shepherd, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Shuffle Demons, Heavyweights Brass Band, National Parcs, Toubab Krewe, Planet Earth, Sisters Euclid, and more.

See more at: http://www.nujazz.ca/

Tonight, yo!

Did you end up having an extra ticket for that one Sean?

I'm reading This wheel's on fire.. what a great book, i'm just getting to the part where they meet Bob Dylan. Very proud that these Canadians took the music world by storm. (When Lavon was in the Hawks he married a Canadian and became a Canadian citizen to avoid the draft)

Any one read the other biographies?

6th Annual Nu Jazz Festival Presents

Friday, November 29, 2013.

Delhi 2 Dublin

w/ DJ Medicineman (@CIUT 89.5fm) and Battle of Santiago

THE GREAT HALL · 1087 Queen Street West · Toronto

8:00pm All Ages

Advance Tickets $15 via Ticketweb.ca, Soundscapes, Rotate This, Play De Record, Kops Records & Fairy Pajamas

Online Tickets: http://tktwb.tw/17ca1AK

Facebook Link: http://on.fb.me/1dQBFDc

Having recently returned from a successful two week tour of the UK, Delhi 2 Dublin has been busy debuting a new live show for their many dates across North America this fall. Since the release of their album, Turn Up The Stereo in August 2012, the band has been nominated for a Western Canadian Music Award, toured the US several times including dates with Israeli super group Balkan Beat Box, performed across Canada including another sold out show at the Commodore Ballroom in Vancouver and played major festivals in the US, Canada and the UK. Their summer included headlining slots at the Edmonton and Vancouver Folk Festivals. Their upcoming dates starting in mid-October include US festivals with acts like Dr. John & the Nite Trippers, more US shows with Balkan Beat Box and their own Canadian headlining concerts.

Delhi 2 Dublin spent most of their summer looking for their lost monkey, Hanu. In early June they launched an innovative trans-media scavenger hunt which tied together social media, collector trading cards, and real life interactions - all with the goal of finding Hanu (http://www.findhanu.com). This fall they collaborate with Nelson “Dedos†Garcia and Xochitl Garcia-Leal of Nomadic Alternatives to bring the narrative to life in the form of a unique animatic video for their song Code Red. It’s a modern re-telling of an epic battle between good and evil. The video comes out in November.

To coincide with the tour dates and video, November will also see the release of Turn Up The Stereo Remixes Volume 1, and EP that features remixes by Knight Ridaz, Tigerstyle, BREED, and Dave Sharma.

ARTISTS LINKS

www.delhi2dublin.com

www.facebook.com/delhi2dublin

www.twitter.com/Delhi2Dublin

www.instagram.com/delhi2dublin

DJ medicineman (CIUT 89.5 FM)

www.djmedicineman.com

For over a decade, Richard ‘Medicineman’ Martin has prescribed his healing dose on the most popular global groove radio show in Canada. In "No Man’s Land" on CIUT 89.5 FM, his unique ethnomixology consistently delivers to a loyal fan base that craves a connection between primitive rhythms and progressive beats.

From yoga studio jams to major clubs to festival dancefloors, medman is an instrumental figure pushing conscious vibration forward, committed to promoting and celebrating conscious world music as a unifying force.

Battle of Santiago

www.thebattleofsantiago.com

The Battle of Santiago: Call it a sound clash with a victorious outcome. This Toronto-based instrumental ensemble comprises seemingly disparate musical elements. Out of potential conflict, however, comes a bracingly refreshing new sound that is quickly turning ears.

6th Annual NuJazz Festival

www.nujazz.ca

Our goal is to celebrate the spirit of jazz in a contemporary musical and presentation context; with acts that cover an incredibly diverse range of styles. Utilizing the city’s best venues and backed by top-notch publicity & promotion that creates exposure and opportunity for all involved.

Past NuJazz Festival headliners have included: Roy Ayers, Mark Farina, Breakestra, DJ Shadow, Jazzanova, Aloe Blacc, Nickodemus, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Billy Martin & Wil Blades, Tortured Soul, King Britt, DJ Chuck Love, Krafty Kuts, Trombone Shorty, Jose James, Souljazz Orchestra, Elizabeth Shepherd, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Shuffle Demons, Heavyweights Brass Band, National Parcs, Toubab Krewe, Planet Earth, Sisters Euclid, and more.