PERFORMERS: MOTOWN MELTDOWN
Leora Cashe
Jazz and gospel vocalist Leora Cashe delivers an electrifying performance that audiences love. An accomplished graduate of Edmonton's Grant MacEwan jazz program, Leora is " …as musically solid as the hits she performs". In 2001, The West Coast Music Awards nominated her debut CD 'Tears of Joy' for Best Gospel Recording of the year. December 2004 marked the release of Leora's second gospel CD, 'Inspiration' which received critical acclaim by enthusiastic listeners at home and abroad. She released her debut jazz recording entitled, "My Heart Stood Still," on June 4th , 2005 at the historic Vancouver East Cultural Centre. Another Side Now – The Songs of Joni Mitchell, Leora's latest CD was released on December 1st, 2007. www.leoracashe.com
Oliver Conway
Band leader, vocalist, harmonica player, rhythm guitarist, producer and song writer, Oliver has been delivering his own brand of blue-eyed soul with Oliver and the Elements and Incognito for over 20 years in Western Canada. Known for his soulful voice, funkifized playing, and his connection with an audience, he is an exciting and experienced musician with 2000 performances in his career, including stage musicals, TV and radio appearances and club and cabaret work all over Canada. He is also the proprietor of Aero Music, a full service music recording and production company, based in the Commercial Drive area of Vancouver, Canada. www.aeromusic.ca
Warren Dean Flandez
With a sound as fresh as the present and a voice reminiscent of the past, Warren Dean Flandez’ artistic light is so bright it could illuminate even the darkest of rooms. Born in Yellowknife and calling Vancouver home, Warren grew up singing in the church, steeped in the rich tapestry of soul gospel music. Warren’s critically acclaimed debut album ‘Vintage Love’ was produced by longtime collaborator Mike Southworth and features contributions from R&B songstress Divine Brown, The Prague Filmharmonic Orchestra, Printz Board (Black Eyed Peas), Andrea Martin (Roc Nation), and legendary songwriter Diane Warren. Following a successful run on CBC’s Cover Me Canada, Warren has garnered national praise from publications such as Toronto Star, The Vancouver Province and Montreal Mirror, which listed ‘Vintage Love’ as #2 on their top 10 R&B albums of 2011. Having been selected to open for the likes of Joss Stone and the late James Brown, Warren’s songs have also been featured on Galaxie Radio and in campaigns for Being Erica, Abercrombie and Fitch, and Gilly Hicks. A humanitarian, Warren is active in numerous charities including the Canadian Students for Darfur and the Canadian Red Cross. Warren was also a featured artist on War Child Canada’s Get Loud Campaign, an organization that helps children affected by war. http://www.warrendeanflandez.com
Roy Forbes
Roy and his trusty Gurian guitar have toured extensively in Canada and the US over these past three decades. From the early days of small coffee houses and opening act slots with artists like John Lee Hooker, Supertramp, The Earl Scruggs Revue and Santana to eventually selling out his own shows and headlining most of the major Folk Music festivals in Canada, Roy has developed into one of Canada’s best loved acoustic performers. Through the years Roy has made a bunch of solo albums (including one for US giant Elektra) plus two with UHF (the ‘once-in-a-while’ group he shares with Shari Ulrich and Bill Henderson), as well as a Christmas album with Connie Kaldor. The first, 'Kid Full Of Dreams', received a Juno nomination in 1976 while 1998’s 'Crazy Old Moon', received a 1999 Juno nomination and a 1999 West Coast Music Award, one of several WCMAs Roy has received over the years. www.royforbes.ca
Al Harlow
Born in Vancouver, Al Harlow, nee Hawirko, began leading local Brit Invasion style bands in 1966. A displaced Mod in the psychedelic Retinal Circus scene, he moved to London, England in the early ‘70s, seeking success. Recording his band “Harlow” in ‘77, Al teamed up with ex-Seeds of Time bandmates to help create PRiSM. Eight albums, two Junos and five years of US & Canadian tours later, Al began lecturing in the Capilano College Music Dept, while playing R&B and producing. Al now tours with PRiSM while writing, teaching & performing locally. www.prism.ca
Bill Henderson
Bill Henderson is best known for his work with Chilliwack, one of Canada’s top recording acts in the 1970's and 80's. As lead singer, guitarist, producer and songwriter, Bill played a major role in the success of the twelve Chilliwack albums with hit songs such as "Raino", "Lonesome Mary", "California Girl", "Fly at Night", "My Girl (Gone Gone Gone)", "I Believe", and "Whatcha Gonna Do", which garnered them a host of awards and international acclaim. For the last 10 years or so, Bill has built a reputation as an exciting solo performer playing at numerous folk festivals and clubs, community theatres, Classic Rock concerts and workshop gatherings of songwriters and performers. Several summers ago he put together a powerful team of players to bring Chilliwack’s songs back to festival stages across Canada. Bill is also one of the members of UHF (Ulrich, Henderson, Forbes). www.gonegonegone.com
Camille Henderson
Saffron Henderson
The Higgins
The Higgins are a brother and two sisters - John, Eileen and Kathleen Higgins. Since releasing their debut album, "Real Thing", in 2008, The Higgins have made an impressive mark on the Canadian country music scene. Nominated for Roots Artist and Group or Duo of the Year at the 2009 Canadian Country Music Awards, and winning numerous BC Country Music Awards since their debut release, The Higgins have quickly become one of British Columbia's most successful country artists. Having toured the country and worked in Nashville with some of country music’s most dynamic songwriters, including Liz Rose (Taylor Swift), Pam Rose (Martina McBride, Reba and Emmylou Harris), Deric Ruttan, Kaci Bolls and Bruce Wallace, The Higgins’ new album, "Dreamers Like Us" showcases their maturity and confidence in spades.
Linda Kidder
From a long lineage of performers, Linda Kidder carries on the family tradition. Both a bass player and a performer, Linda has toured with kd lang, Gary Fjellgaard, Michelle Wright, and Norman Foote to name a few; plus an extensive list of studio work including Bon Jovi and Rita MacNeil. Linda has two CDs, 'Mom and Me,' singing jazz standards with her mom Betty on grand piano; and her recent 'Close to Bliss' featuring her originals. Linda has sung hundreds of jingles for television, radio and on countless album projects. Some of her highlights include "Letterman", "Leno" and the "Grammy Awards.” She is also a proud member of the musical group August. www.lindakidder.com
Tom Landa (The Paperboys)
Tom Landa, the lead vocalist for The Paperboys, is hailed as a world talent and killer songwriter, excelling in creating beautiful melodies. He delivers ballads about lost love, longing, hope, and nostalgia with depth and tremendous sensitivity. The Paperboys received a Juno Award for Best Roots & Traditional Album of the Year (Molinos); and Juno Award nominations for the three of their albums; two West Coast Music Awards for Best Roots Recording (Molinos, Postcards) and three more nominations in that category. Add to this list, an American Indie nomination; a Genie Award nomination for Best Musical Score for the film 'Lunch With Charles' and appearances in both that film and the movie 'Marine Life.' The latest release 'The Road To Ellenside' (2006) was wholly recorded at a country manor in rural England www.paperboys.com
Cecile Larochelle
Cecile Larochelle is delighted to be back in Vancouver after a 12 year absence. Besides singing her way across the U.S., she earned her degree in vocal music and became passionately committed to sharing vocal technique and stylistic interpretations with other singers. She started her vocal studio in Orlando, Florida and recently opened "LaRochelle Vocal Studios" at The Beaumont Studio in Vancouver. Cecile continues with her own studies in the Seth Riggs Speech Level Singing Technique in Los Angeles. She has appeared on television and stage as both an actress and singer in Canada and the United States. She has worked with Jon Bon Jovi, John Denver, Sheena Easton, Long John Baldry and has penned and produced numerous albums including her own gospel and children's albums. www.cecilelarochelle.com
Lindsay May
"Vancouver's Lindsay May was busy in 2010; she was a Shore FM 104.3 Sounds of Summer Songsearch Top 10 Finalist, a New Mountain Songwriting contest finalist and Vancouver 2010 Olympic performer. 2011 is looking even better as her captivating vocals, songwriting and performance skills will be showcased in her upcoming 2011 release, featuring fun tunes about friends, love and life along with the heart-gripping songs about love and hurt that have garnered her so much attention. Find out more about this guitar and mandolin wielding songbird by signing up for her mailing list at www.lindsaymay.com
Ali Milner
This 21 year-old Whistler-raised singer-songwriter-keyboardist blends pop, Motown and old-soul jazz, a mix that has had her touring steadily both in and outside of Canada. Her album, I Dare You, was a collaborative effort between Ali and some of Canada's top musicians like Shaun Verreault (Wide Mouth Mason) and Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams writing partner). She’s shared bills with Sarah McLachlan (at Lillith Fair), Michael Buble, Ron Sexsmith and Barenaked Ladies. She placed third on CBC’s Cover Me Canada, where she met her current band.
Claire Mortifee
Claire Mortifee’s unique vocal quality and songwriting style have been turning heads in the Vancouver music scene for years. Recently, she has been drawing attention from musicians and producers across the country, and even internationally, with followers as far reaching as Sweden. Her sound has been said to be reminiscent of Feist, Regina Spektor, Adele, and Lauryn Hill, but with its own style and illuminant resonance. Claire, niece of Paul Horn, Ann Mortifee and Jane Mortifee, has performed across the city, at venues ranging from The Cobalt, to Café Montmartre, to the Orpheum, to the Waterfront Theatre. She has worked with acclaimed recording artists such as Hannah Georgas, Josh Ramsay, and Noah Becker. In 2010 she was one of the few participants chosen for The Cultch’s IGNITE! Songwriting Mentorship Program.
After completing courses in Recording Arts, Digital Music Technology and Business of the Music Industry at The Art Institute of Vancouver, she is continuing her liberal arts education at The University of Victoria.
Jane Mortifee
Jane has been active in theatre, television and the studios for over thirty years. She has been nominated for countless awards and has enjoyed theatre roles in “When The Rains Come”, “Cabaret”, “Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well”, “Side by Side By Sondheim” and “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline”. Her acting credits include the TV series “Neon Rider”, “21 Jump Street”, and “Danger Bay” and a starring role in the feature film “My American Cousin. Her first love is singing and Jane has performed as a guest soloist on numerous television productions and live musical specials as well as doing studio work as a jingle singer, voice-over and animated series talent. www.janemortifee.com
Terry David Mulligan
Terry David Mulligan is an iconic Canadian actor and television personality. After leaving the Mounties, Mulligan worked as a radio DJ for 20 years, and then joined CBC Television as host of the music video series Good Rockin’ Tonite. He left the CBC in 1985 to become a VJ and producer for MuchMusic as host of the long-running Much West series.
Mulligan is also a prolific character actor who has been featured in supporting roles in many movies and television series.
He also co-hosts a television wine show called Hollywood and Vines with fellow actor Jason Priestley which is filmed in wine vineyards around the world. Currently he has been hosting and producing a weekly 2 hour food and wine series called The Tasting Room, heard on various radio stations all over the Okanagan and as a podcast at iTunes or at www.tastingroomradio.com.
He continues to host Mulligan Stew, a long-running two-hour Saturday night music show on CKUA in Alberta which covers a vast range of great music from the past and present. Recorded from home and his barn studio, Mulligan Stew has received rave reviews and is considered some of the finest hours of music on Canadian radio. TDM considers The Stew the best radio he’s ever done.
Lori Paul
Lori Paul has been performing for audiences internationally since she first took to the stage as the opening act for the legendary BB King at Expo '86. In 1998 she released her first album, “Now or Never”, a critically acclaimed collection of jazz, blues and original compositions. Her sophomore effort “Vanity Press”, released in 2005, is a completely original collection with the exception of the Guess Who classic Undun and has earned national airplay and continues to sell via her website. On April 1st 2006, Lori recorded and filmed her 3rd CD entitled “Songs From Spider Lodge”. www.loripaul.com
Rebecca Shoichet
Whether it’s for live performances or in the recording studio, Rebecca Shoichet is a highly sought-after vocalist on the Vancouver music scene. She has toured with artists Amanda Marshall and Tom Cochrane, and performs locally and internationally with the 10 piece, funk phenomenon, Soulstream. She croons in the French cabaret group, Mimosa, and also shares her powerhouse vocals with bands Side One, Famous Players, and Coco Love Alcorn. Bringing a life’s worth of musical theatre training and performance to her work, Rebecca’s versatility and skill has offered her roles in productions Joni Mitchell: River and La Cage aux Folles for the Vancouver Playhouse, and parts in such TV animation series as My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Maya the Bee, and Kid vs Kat. And she’s thrilled to be a part of this fantastic fundraiser! www.mimosamusic.com
Kendra Sprinkling
Kendra has been involved in music for 40 years, working with B.B. King, Martha Reeves, Taj Mahal, the Doobie Brothers and Slade, as well as singing in sessions, commercials and performing in musical theatre. In 1986, Kendra first performed in Starry Night, an AIDS fund–raising variety show, developed by the Art’s Club’s David Harrison (who succumbed to the disease in 1995). She has produced and directed the show since 1995 and year 2010 marked the “25th" Anniversary Performance. She is the Founding Executive Director of the Shooting Stars Foundation, a special events organization, which is dedicated to raising funds for direct service AIDS organizations. She is the creator of all the Shooting Stars events which also include producing, Fit For A Queen, (a fantastic “Drag” Extravaganza), Gambado! (Dinner and Auction), undercover (a unique wine tasting), and co-producing Motown Meltdown and Soul Shake (40 guest artists "Do Motown). www.shootingstarsfoundation.org
Catherine St. Germain
Originally from Winnipeg Manitoba Catherine has performed all over the world including Cancun Mexico last month for Toyota. She has sung with Loverboy, Survivor, Starship, David Foster, Natalie Cole and the late great Ray Charles to name a few. Catherine is currently living in Vancouver and doing Studio Voice-overs, and singing with the all 70's 10 piece band "The Polyester Philharmonic" as well as her band "Hip Pocket". www.myspace.com/catherinestgermain
Don Stewart
Don Stewart lays his seductive musical style onto jazz and pop standards from Nat King Cole to Michael Jackson, lighting up any room he plays in. Having conquered the live concert and laid down an impressive fan base, Don is now about to unveil a new side of his musical world … songwriting. Four fascinating original songs keep company with brilliant standards like “In The Midnight Hour” in a new CD coming out later this year. Don’s many fans will be blown away by these new tunes, showing a side of Don that goes deep, but stays romantic. www.donstewart.ca
Sibel Thrasher
Sibel Thrasher has performed in all 1,000-plus performances of the Arts Club theatre’s all-time longest running production, Ain’t Misbehavin’, both locally and nationally. She also had great success in the productions of Black and Gold Revue I and II, Blues In The Night, The Club, When The Rains Come, Tapestry, and Little Shop Of Horrors. Her extensive credits include recording in New York with legendary recording artist Roy Ayers, and in Canada with Long John Baldry and Linton Garner. She toured with the renowned Platters in the US, Japan and the Philippines. Sibel has traveled extensively as a highly sought after jazz, gospel and R & B singer in the cruise industry on Alaskan and Caribbean tours. In 2004 she was in the movie “Fierce People”, starring Donald Sutherland and Diane Lane and enjoyed a 6-month engagement in Shanghai, China. She most recently returned from a tour of London, England and a concert in New York with a group she performed with many years ago (Ramp), which is enjoying an amazing resurgence, which includes an album release.
David Wills
David Wills is best known as the lead singer of Stonebolt and currently performs as well with the high-energy dance band “The Dynamics”. With the current cultural revival of music from the earlier decades, and the fact that the members of Stonebolt still like to make music, the vote was passed and the creation of “Regeneration” Stonebolt’s newest album was realized. This CD is a compilation of the band’s biggest hits including “I Will Still Love You” and “Don’t Ya Hide It”, as well as three new songs written and recorded by the original members. In Canada Stonebolt became a popular radio act with a number of hit singles topping the Canadian charts and in 1978 became an international hit, recognized as world wide stars. The band had hits in the US, Europe and Japan and played concerts as far away as Osaka Japan. Stonebolt made regular appearances on national TV shows such as American Bandstand and Midnight Special and received a Grammy nomination. Stonebolt was a Canadian band that achieved international stardom and now the band and their lead singer, can now be discovered again by today's generation of music lovers. David is actively involved with producing other projects.
Garfield Wilson
UK-born and Edmonton-raised, Garfield Wilson has had an extensive and diverse career in music for the past 15 years, which has seen him successfully lead a funk/soul cover band in Edmonton, a rock band which was a winner on Vancouver’s local CFOX Seeds contest in 2000, plus have his own solo career in R&B. Garfield also contributed his back-up vocals to Colin James’ 2001 Warner release Fuse, 2003’s Traveler and on Colin’s subsequent tours. He has worked in musical theatre with a leading role as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, plus had a supporting role in Hair. Garfield has also acquired a lengthy list of acting credits, including work on Dark Angel, The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Andromeda, The Dead Zone, Edison Force starring fellow musicians Justin Timberlake and LL Cool J, and most recently the ground breaking CBC TV series Village On A Diet.
AJ Woodworth
Vancouver’s AJ Woodworth is one of Canada’s hottest young Country/pop performers, with a distinctive voice, look, and songwriting style. Her sound blends classic influences with modern themes creating a style all her own. The reigning BCCMA Female Vocalist of the year has new music and videos for 604 Records now hitting the nation’s airwaves. AJ first caught attention of the music industry in 2009 by winning the Canadian Country Music Associations’ New Talent Showcase Award. She was the lead singer on the 100th Anniversary theme for the PNE, and was featured in the song and video “Standing Strong and True, honouring Canada’s military forces. www.ajcountry.com
