MAIN STAGE SUNDAY NIGHT, AUGUST 7
Gerald Campbell
Gerald Campbell of Branch on the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula favours songs with a story, even if, as he admits, some of them are fairly long. "They say there's nothing to a new song, because there is no story. A song that was better was one that was passed around - one with a story to it. Then when you listened, you'd be waiting to hear what's to come next."
The Sweet Forget Me Not is one of Gerald's favourite songs, learned from his mother when he was young. Eddie Coffey picked it up from him and so did Irish singer Dolores Keane, when it was brought to her to Ireland by Aidan O'Hara on a recording he made from Gerald Campbell's singing of the song. Gerald was responsible for keeping the song alive and contributed greatly to the revival of its popularity when it was covered by those two artists. The St. John's Folk Arts Council is delighted to recognise Gerald for his lifelong contributions to the tradition of song and present him with this year's Lifetime Acheivement Award. (Citation)
Gerald Campbell of Branch on the Southern Shore of the Avalon Peninsula favours songs with a story, even if, as he admits, some of them are fairly long. "They say there's nothing to a new song, because there is no story. A song that was better was one that was passed around - one with a story to it. Then when you listened, you'd be waiting to hear what's to come next."
The Sweet Forget Me Not is one of Gerald's favourite songs, learned from his mother when he was young. Eddie Coffey picked it up from him and so did Irish singer Dolores Keane, when it was brought to her to Ireland by Aidan O'Hara on a recording he made from Gerald Campbell's singing of the song. Gerald was responsible for keeping the song alive and contributed greatly to the revival of its popularity when it was covered by those two artists. The St. John's Folk Arts Council is delighted to recognise Gerald for his lifelong contributions to the tradition of song and present him with this year's Lifetime Acheivement Award. (Citation)
Dzolali
DZOLALI (pronounced "jo la lee") Drum and Dance Ensemble was formed by Curtis Andrews of Carbonear after he wanted to share his love and knowledge of West African music and dance. The name can be taken to mean "strike while the iron is hot" and connotes livng for the moment and taking an opportunity when it arises. DZOLALI performes the music and dance of Ghana mainly, which is well known across the world for its energy, complexity, beauty and ability to inspire smiles on all those involved... audience and performers alike. In total, a feast for the eyes, ears and spirit!
DZOLALI (pronounced "jo la lee") Drum and Dance Ensemble was formed by Curtis Andrews of Carbonear after he wanted to share his love and knowledge of West African music and dance. The name can be taken to mean "strike while the iron is hot" and connotes livng for the moment and taking an opportunity when it arises. DZOLALI performes the music and dance of Ghana mainly, which is well known across the world for its energy, complexity, beauty and ability to inspire smiles on all those involved... audience and performers alike. In total, a feast for the eyes, ears and spirit!
Jim Joyce
JIM JOYCE, a native of Montreal, began his life in music early as choirboy with THE POPE JOHN XXIII CHOIR. He was the first solo performer at the inaugural opening of Montreal's famed Place des Arts and a major part of the Irish folk scene in Montreal during the 70's and early 80's. In 1983 while touring eastern Canada, a one-song guest performance at Kibitzers Pub in St. John's, turned into a 2-year house gig. Jim has made Newfoundland his home ever since. When not in St. John's, he can be found at McCabe's Irish Pub in the sunny city of Naples, Florida, where he has perfoming for the last 2 years.
JIM JOYCE, a native of Montreal, began his life in music early as choirboy with THE POPE JOHN XXIII CHOIR. He was the first solo performer at the inaugural opening of Montreal's famed Place des Arts and a major part of the Irish folk scene in Montreal during the 70's and early 80's. In 1983 while touring eastern Canada, a one-song guest performance at Kibitzers Pub in St. John's, turned into a 2-year house gig. Jim has made Newfoundland his home ever since. When not in St. John's, he can be found at McCabe's Irish Pub in the sunny city of Naples, Florida, where he has perfoming for the last 2 years.
Pamela Morgan & Anita Best
For 19 years PAMELA MORGAN was lead singer, guitarist and arranger for Canada's pioneering celtic band, FIGGY DUFF. With the DUFF she travelled widely in North America and Europe. Her work with Anita on The Colour of Amber was recognized by national and international music critics. Since then, Pamela has been spearheading her own independent record label, AMBER MUSIC, and producing albums for various artists, most recently herself. She continues to write, perform and tour in her own highly original and hauntingly beautiful style. (Pamela's website)
ANITA BEST is one of Newfoundland's best known traditional singers and has made major contributions to teh preservation of our culture as a performer, broadcaster and oral historian. Her work as a solo artist, and as half of the duo, ANITA BEST AND PAMELA MORGAN, has brought the power of Newfoundland song to stages all over the globe. Anita's beautiful recording, Crosshanded, a CD consisting entirely of unaccompanied songs, proves that the human voice is still the world's most powerful instrument. (Anita's website)
For 19 years PAMELA MORGAN was lead singer, guitarist and arranger for Canada's pioneering celtic band, FIGGY DUFF. With the DUFF she travelled widely in North America and Europe. Her work with Anita on The Colour of Amber was recognized by national and international music critics. Since then, Pamela has been spearheading her own independent record label, AMBER MUSIC, and producing albums for various artists, most recently herself. She continues to write, perform and tour in her own highly original and hauntingly beautiful style. (Pamela's website)
ANITA BEST is one of Newfoundland's best known traditional singers and has made major contributions to teh preservation of our culture as a performer, broadcaster and oral historian. Her work as a solo artist, and as half of the duo, ANITA BEST AND PAMELA MORGAN, has brought the power of Newfoundland song to stages all over the globe. Anita's beautiful recording, Crosshanded, a CD consisting entirely of unaccompanied songs, proves that the human voice is still the world's most powerful instrument. (Anita's website)
The Fousty Toutons
THE FOUSTY TOUTONS are Rik Barron, Rick Lambe and Gary Taylor. Master musicians and award winners in their own right, the FOUSTY's draw on their varied roots backgrounds to present a unique, powerful and entertaining folk group. They draw their repertoire from the numerous CD's by Rik and Rick and pepper the arrangements with Gary's inventive bass playing and throw in some uniquely FOUSTY songs and tunes. (Rik's website)
THE FOUSTY TOUTONS are Rik Barron, Rick Lambe and Gary Taylor. Master musicians and award winners in their own right, the FOUSTY's draw on their varied roots backgrounds to present a unique, powerful and entertaining folk group. They draw their repertoire from the numerous CD's by Rik and Rick and pepper the arrangements with Gary's inventive bass playing and throw in some uniquely FOUSTY songs and tunes. (Rik's website)
Mary Jane Lamond
Mary Jane Lamond is a sharer of songs, stories and spirit and has numerous Juno and ECMA nominations, critical acclaim and a worldwide audience. She has just released her fourth recording Òrain Ghàidhlig (Gaelic Songs of Cape Breton), a traditional recording dedicated to the fine Gaelic singers of Cape Breton. While enrolled in Saint Francis Xavier University’s Celtic Studies programme, Lamond released her first album, Bho Thir Nan Craobh, that introduced her unique singing voice and a then unknown fiddler named Ashley MacIsaac. The two then collaborated on the award-winning radio smash Sleepy Maggie.
Mary Jane took time-honoured Gaelic songs to the next level on Suas e!, which combined classic texts with contemporary pop sounds. The success of Suas e! contributed to an explosion of interest in Celtic culture and Lamond took the songs on the road with a live band. Her experiences on the stage directly influenced the sound of Làn Dùil, spell-binding renditions of treasured Gaelic songs fused with original arrangements using a variety of instruments, from the familiar fiddle and bagpipes to Indian tabla. Ultimately it defined a new style of world music unique to Mary Jane Lamond - timeless music for a modern age.
(website)
Mary Jane Lamond is a sharer of songs, stories and spirit and has numerous Juno and ECMA nominations, critical acclaim and a worldwide audience. She has just released her fourth recording Òrain Ghàidhlig (Gaelic Songs of Cape Breton), a traditional recording dedicated to the fine Gaelic singers of Cape Breton. While enrolled in Saint Francis Xavier University’s Celtic Studies programme, Lamond released her first album, Bho Thir Nan Craobh, that introduced her unique singing voice and a then unknown fiddler named Ashley MacIsaac. The two then collaborated on the award-winning radio smash Sleepy Maggie.
Mary Jane took time-honoured Gaelic songs to the next level on Suas e!, which combined classic texts with contemporary pop sounds. The success of Suas e! contributed to an explosion of interest in Celtic culture and Lamond took the songs on the road with a live band. Her experiences on the stage directly influenced the sound of Làn Dùil, spell-binding renditions of treasured Gaelic songs fused with original arrangements using a variety of instruments, from the familiar fiddle and bagpipes to Indian tabla. Ultimately it defined a new style of world music unique to Mary Jane Lamond - timeless music for a modern age.
(website)
Dale Jarvis
Dale Jarvis is a researcher, writer, folklorist and tour guide living in St. John's. His column on the paranormal side of the province, Newfoundland Unexplained, runs every other Tuesday in The Telegram, and he is a frequent contributor to The Downhomer Magazine's, Fireside Yarns. For the past nine years, Dale (a.k.a. the Rev. Thomas Wyckham) has been leading the St. John's Haunted Hike to international acclaim. His treasure-trove of ghost stories grows every year and continues to chill and thrill audiences, young and old alike. Dave will tell a couple of short stories while A CROWD OF BOLD SHAREMEN and THE COBBLESTONES are setting up.
(website)
Dale Jarvis is a researcher, writer, folklorist and tour guide living in St. John's. His column on the paranormal side of the province, Newfoundland Unexplained, runs every other Tuesday in The Telegram, and he is a frequent contributor to The Downhomer Magazine's, Fireside Yarns. For the past nine years, Dale (a.k.a. the Rev. Thomas Wyckham) has been leading the St. John's Haunted Hike to international acclaim. His treasure-trove of ghost stories grows every year and continues to chill and thrill audiences, young and old alike. Dave will tell a couple of short stories while A CROWD OF BOLD SHAREMEN and THE COBBLESTONES are setting up.
(website)
A Crowd of Bold Sharemen
Take a pair of veteran performers who have appeared at major folk festival across Canada, add Newfoundland & Labrador’s most renowned flute and tin whistle player and two of our fastest-rising young stars of traditional music, and you’ve got A CROWD OF BOLD SHAREMEN. The band consists of Jim Payne, one of the province’s best songwriters; Fergus O’Byrne, one of our most recognizable voices; flute player Gerry Strong with his vast knowledge of traditional tunes; noted fiddle player and actor Daniel Payne and accordionist Corey Clarke. Each is an accomplished performer in their own right, and together they provide an unbeatable musical experience. Their repertoire consists of Newfoundland & Labrador material - virtuoso playing and strong vocals with sweet harmonies, entertaining stage banter, and polished performances.
(website)
Take a pair of veteran performers who have appeared at major folk festival across Canada, add Newfoundland & Labrador’s most renowned flute and tin whistle player and two of our fastest-rising young stars of traditional music, and you’ve got A CROWD OF BOLD SHAREMEN. The band consists of Jim Payne, one of the province’s best songwriters; Fergus O’Byrne, one of our most recognizable voices; flute player Gerry Strong with his vast knowledge of traditional tunes; noted fiddle player and actor Daniel Payne and accordionist Corey Clarke. Each is an accomplished performer in their own right, and together they provide an unbeatable musical experience. Their repertoire consists of Newfoundland & Labrador material - virtuoso playing and strong vocals with sweet harmonies, entertaining stage banter, and polished performances.
(website)
The Cobblestones
THE COBBLESTONES are a foursome of seasoned and award-winning performers that have been making their mark across the province since 2000 with hit songs like Feet of a Dancer and September Sky. Formed by lead singer/songwriter Vaughan Rowsell (LEE VAUGHAN) and instrumentalist/songwriter Ronnie Power (IRISH DESCENDANTS), THE COBBLESTONES also include drummer Greg Clarke who has played with notables local such as Denis Parker, Roger Howse, Barry Canning and THE WONDERFUL GRAND BAND and bassist Paul Turner who has performed with FROSHAUK, THE ABSTRACT NUMBER, WABANA, BAZOOKA JOE, QUADROON, BORDERLINE, JIMMY WHIFFEN & THE WANTED, THE BOYDS and THE ANGELA WARNER BAND, among others. The COBBLESTONES are currently working on their eagerly awaited second CD. (website)
THE COBBLESTONES are a foursome of seasoned and award-winning performers that have been making their mark across the province since 2000 with hit songs like Feet of a Dancer and September Sky. Formed by lead singer/songwriter Vaughan Rowsell (LEE VAUGHAN) and instrumentalist/songwriter Ronnie Power (IRISH DESCENDANTS), THE COBBLESTONES also include drummer Greg Clarke who has played with notables local such as Denis Parker, Roger Howse, Barry Canning and THE WONDERFUL GRAND BAND and bassist Paul Turner who has performed with FROSHAUK, THE ABSTRACT NUMBER, WABANA, BAZOOKA JOE, QUADROON, BORDERLINE, JIMMY WHIFFEN & THE WANTED, THE BOYDS and THE ANGELA WARNER BAND, among others. The COBBLESTONES are currently working on their eagerly awaited second CD. (website)