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Los de Abajo This Mexican collective evokes a place where rebel gangs proclaim revolution to the pulse of ska and reggae rhythms fueled by accordions, horns and DJ scratching.
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Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara |
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Matt Anderson Sprawling blues, roots-rock and a grand, honey-tinged voice have earned this New Brunswick guitar ace a fervent following. Website MySpace |
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Darol Anger & Mike Marshall & Väsen Two American virtuosos join Sweden’s most influential instrumental trio to weave together centuries-old traditions from two continents.
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Arrested Development For over 15 years, this group of dancers, vocalists, drummers and a turntablist have slammed the gangsta-dominated world of hip hop with defiant lyrics of hope.
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A joyous collision of world folk, flamboyant theatrics and four-piece brass section have earned them Britain’s “best live act” billing. |
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His unique mix of folk, punk and klezmer, along with peculiar, witty, sometimes heartbreaking songs are delivered with frenetic, contagious energy.
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An eclectic group with a modern-indie folk sound fronted by Berube’s lyrical precision and luscious voice.
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Originality, versatility, musicianship and intriguing blues with rootsy twists and turns sung with soul, heart and vibe. |
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Bop Ensemble A Canadian super-group featuring folk legends Bill Bourne and Wyckham Porteous, along with up-and-coming singer-bassist ‘Jas’ Ohlhauser. |
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Thought-provoking lyrics merge with tight harmonies, a potent blend of bluegrass, old-timey folk and vintage country influences.
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Basia Bulat |
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Canefire Afro-Caribbean folk traditions meet Trinidadian carnival and jazz with steel pan, piano, horns, bass and percussion – from Toronto! |
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Eliana Cuevas This Venezuelan-born vocalist & songwriter creates original world jazz, supported by a stellar band. |
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The Ebony Hillbillies One of the last black string bands in the States, this NY quartet plays a tasty mix of original tunes and unique renditions of American classics to create an untamed and joyful vibe. |
| Jonathan Edwards
Since he picked up a guitar in the 60s & earned gold for “Sunshine” in 1971, his ear for a good story, a strong melody and a beautifully crafted song remains intact.
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Joel Fafard The gifted slide fingerstyle guitar player writes stirring, melodic compositions that paint pictures as vivid as any song with words. |
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Roy Forbes A B.C. musical treasure, Roy continues to serve up great songs that make you think and rock at the same time. |
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Fito Garcia Garcia & company perform and a wide-ranging repertoire of jazzy Afro-Cuban and Latin tunes, drawing melody and magic from his bass guitar. |
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With a storied career, honey-buttered vocals and legendary guitar chops, Garrett remains one of the best bluesmen on the planet today.
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Liza Garza
A poet and vocalist with an uncommon ability to keep listeners captivated while provoking social change and community action.
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Dick Gaughan For over three decades, one of Scottish music’s most masterful performers and finest guitarists.
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Great Lake Swimmers Haunting and heartfelt folk-pop featuring great instrumentals and Tony Dekker’s captivating voice. |
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Song, chant, the sacred hula and exceptional slack key guitar from Hawaii’s most popular group.
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Corey Harris
A reggae/blues guitar alchemist who embraces the black experience in all its dimensions.
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Veda Hille From operas to fanciful ditties, this Vancouver singer, songwriter and pianist follows her own path to unerringly amazing result.
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Iron and Wine Haunting ballads steeped in southern lore usher in a new generation of folk audience for Texas singer/songwriter, Sam Beam.
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“Keelo” is one of Canada’s greatest songwriters, with a resonant baritone voice that has been called everything from sweet and smooth to coffee-rich.
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Labess Labess (“all’s well in Arabic) celebrates tolerance and freedom with rich, festive melodies from Spanish flamenco to the music of the Arabic/Berber world.
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Patty Larkin Ambient folk pop that shimmers – from one of America’s finest guitarists |
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Anne Loree From the writer who penned Jann Arden’s hit “Insensitive” – hear brave and insightful ballads and rockin’ environmental and politically-edged commentaries from the gal herself! |
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With a uniquely rich voice and well composed melodies, Mangan wrangles his folkie template into something approaching alt-Canadiana.
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Jorge Miguel Flamenco Full contact, hard core and glorious flamenco music, dance and song – original compositions true to the Andalucian tradition.
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Los Misioneros del Norte Norteño music, whether in danceable form or storytelling “corridos”, is the dominant form of popular music in Mexico. Los Misioneros (“the missionaries”) is a family band based in San Luis Potosi in Northern Mexico. This is their first Canadian crusade.
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Tony McManus Called “the best Celtic guitarist in the world”, Tony brilliantly communicates the beauty and complexity of traditional Celtic music through the strings of his guitar. |
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Mashing up compelling Afrobeat grooves, syncopated melodies, and layered vocals with politically conscious lyrics, this band’s music has you moving and thinking at the same time.
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Mutabaruka This world-renowned Jamaican poet’s spiritual and political poetry flows over solemn, righteous reggae tracks that immediately command your attention and refuse to let go. |
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Idy Oulo Born in the mountains of North Cameroon, Idy plays a garaya, a papaya with two strings, and electric guitar among other instruments. His music is a combination of African, world music and reggae.
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Pacificka This Vancouver trio is creating a new kind of global pop -jazz infused and Latin tinged – that nods to diverse international influences while forging its own unique voice. |
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Steven Page Barenaked no more, the ex-co-lead singer and songwriter of one of Canada’s most internationally famous bands strikes out on his own to play a mix of new material and classic BNL songs.
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The Paperboys Pigeon hole-defying, no-holds-barred music that been described as ‘Guinness with a tequila chaser, listening to an Americana jukebox’ – all served up with brilliant musicianship and passion. |
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No havering – over twenty years on, the Reid twins continue to deliver great folk/pop tunes, from poignant love songs to outspoken political commentary. |
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Joe Pug In the tradition of the wooden-stool and microphone-less folk icons before him, this talented young troubadour carries on a venerable tradition with socially-conscious ditties and heartfelt ballads.
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Lester Quitzau From gutbucket blues to ballads to inventive improvisation, guitarist, singer and songwriter Quitzau is a mellow guy who can throw down a heavy groove. |
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Kate Reid A whip smart wordsmith with a knack for candid songwriting that’s charged with humour and social-political commentary. |
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Sara Rénélik Of Haitian origin, this Montreal-born singer and dancer’s music sublimely blends Afro and Franco-Caribbean world beat with forays into pop, folk-rock and soul. |
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Reverend Peyton’s Big Damn Band This young three-piece band from rural Indiana delivers an energized sound steeped in classic blues tradition. |
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Rock Plaza Central RPC’s music has been described as troubadour-pop, neo-chamber folk-rock - relaxed in its own creative realm of humble origins and unbridled imagination. |
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Mavis Staples A gospel, R&B and pop legend who infuses each song with a soul-quaking depth fired with dignity and faith |
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Tarhana Tarhana is a tribe of Amsterdam musicians who blend traditional Balkan and Oriental soundscapes and Gypsy melodies with Afro-Anatolian grooves. |
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Shari Ulrich Shari’s rich voice, and career through Pied Pumkin, Valdy & The Hometown Band and on as a solo artist, continues to entertain audiences and inspire two generations of female singer/songwriters.
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Umalali An entrancing journey into the music, heart and soul of the Garifuna people of Latin America. |
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Suzie Vinnick and Rick Fines
This multiple award-winning duo have carved a new niche in the Canadian blues canon with magnificent songwriting and beautiful harmonies laid over memorable melodies, all delivered with a down-home approach. |
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VOC Soul Gospel Choir with Checo Tohomaso
Delivering positive vibes, this Vancouver choir mixes eclectic sounds into a high-energy world music chorus. |
The Weakerthans Their blend of punk-inflected folk rock with literate, witty, introspective lyrics have made them one of the most popular bands on the current Canadian music scene. |
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Cheryl Wheeler A gifted songwriter with a beautiful voice, and a fantastic storyteller with a razor sharp sense of humour. |
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Women in Docs
Described as a cross between the Dixie Chicks and Indigo Girls, Women in Docs are two women from North Queensland, Australia whose folk-tinged pop melodies are delivered with fantastic harmonies and classic lyrics.
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Jamyang Yeshi This talented singer and musician from the Amdo region of Tibet, was first invited to Canada to perform at the “Cultures at Risk” Summit at The Banff Centre and now makes his home on Vancouver Island. |
| d’bi.young One of Toronto and Canada’s most celebrated young poet/artists, d’bi is a passionate word-warrior with originality and ingenuity to match her creative courage.
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