The Kozmik Zoo
53 West Broadway Ave.
Vancouver, BC
8:30pm
$10
Two new groups I am playing with. One offers fresh arrangements of classical/latin guitar masterpieces for guitar/bass/drums and the other serves up modern Middle Eastern music on oud, bass and percussion.
The Kozmik Zoo
53 West Broadway Ave.
Vancouver, BC
8:30pm
$10
Original world-jazz at its finest!!
April 29, 2012 April Showers.....
It is beautiful here in Vancouver now. Leaves are slowly covering the bare branches of the thousands of trees that line our neighbourhods, sooooo many amazing flowers are showing themselves, especially the ubiquitous cherry blossoms which are always a treat for the senses. I gotta say, Spring in Vancouver is pretty awesome. I don't think I've ever been here during this time of year...either in Ghana or on tour somewhere.
Life is moving forward....many things on the plate. Been playing regularly with Jamie Perry (aka Boocephus King) in an interesting group called Orchestra Familia at Chai (on Broadway) each Friday. They've just opened a new place on Main St. and I think we'll shift there soon.
It goes places.
The Zhambai Trio fundraising efforts are under way (please tell your people!!) and we are slowly reaching our goal. Have a few dates over the summer booked as well. I'll be playing some shows in May with my jazz group, a Carnatic concert with Vidyasagar Vankayala and Prabha Sivaratnam,a gig with Acoutiscamoderna ( a new group I'm playing with), ZimbaMoto of course and with Rio Samaya whenever possible.
Also busy with Uzume Taiko in rehearsals for a show in June, a tour to Germany in October and two shows in November. We are also recording an album(!).
So things are pretty busy and I'm liking it. Will be turning 35 on May 2 which will be interesting. Divisible by 7 AND 5!
March 18, 2012 Zhambai On The Move
Another month gone and here we all are.....2012 is well underway.
I've been keepng busy with various things and am looking forward to the release of the Zhambai Trio CD which we are in the process of fundraising for right now. Just launched an on-line "crowdfunding" campaign with IndiGoGo (check the widget over on the left).
Besides that have been trying to get some music together for my own ensemble "The Offering", and look forward to a gig at The Kozmik Zoo in a couple of days as well as having a bit of action with ZimbaMoto, Jessi Nicholson and the Pacific Sound Collective. One great thing that is on the horizon is a community Ghanaian drum and dance ensemble I will be putting together with Dr. Kofi Gbolonyo, a generous drummer/dancer/teacher who lives in Vancouver these days (and teaches at UBC). We just had a tasty performance with the student ensemble on Saturday past in fact.
Have also decided on my Newfoundland dates...will be there from June 29-July 24.
After 2 months in India and Sri Lanka, getting married again (to the same wonderful person!) I am back in Vancouver. An amazing time was had. My sister, one of my brothers, parents and a slew of Anu's relatives and a dozen or so of our friends from around the world made it to the wedding.
A 2 week honeymoon in Sri Lanka opened our hearts and minds a bit more and I had the fortune to be around my Guru in Chennai for some of his concerts and watch hom receive the title of Sangita Kalanidhi (a big deal if you know what that is).
Now in Camada again I have to figure out how to make some money for myself. Always thinking a few months ahead. It is a weird way to live one's life. ZimbaMoto have a nice CBC gig coming up which will be recorded, Zhambai will have CD coming out by June (we hope) and will do a few gigs. Will try and set up a couple of shows with my large band and plan to work more with Kofi Gbolonyo (Ghanaian drummer/dancer) while I am here.
Live & Learn in Ghana won't happen this 2012, only got 4 people and needed 6. No big worry. Will give me a chance to stick around and grow some work in these parts. Speaking of which, I'll be offering a couple of one-off workshops in Ghanaian drumming in March. Deets on the side.
Nov.30, 2011 The Eve of India
In the midst of final packing for a 2 month journey tomorrow to India. Wedding on Dec.11 and then taking my parents and sis on a 2 week tour around Southern India. Have been a travel agent for the past week searching the best places to stay, booking flights, trains, cars...sheesh!! Will be good for them though. Spend 2 weeks in Chennai to see Guruji Trichy Sankaran play and see him receive a major award as well. Then off to Sri Lanka with Anu for snorkeling and adventure!!
Return to Vancouver on January 30th.
Yeah..life is good I suppose.
Oct.25, 2011 Back from Belgium...what's next?
Full of broodjes, awesome chocolate, cheese and an amazing variety of (strong) beer. 3 weeks all over Belgium with Uzume Taiko....a grand time. Learned a lot, played a lot, ate a lot.
Will perhaps return next Fall as well.
Now onto the future...a bunch of things coming down the pipe.
A couple of gigs with Sunshine Coast folky-jazzy-bluegrass group The Rakish Angles on Oct.28 and 29 and then I'm in Toronto for 2 weeks to visit some teachers and friends...and play a gig at Trane Studio on Nov.3.
Then back to Vancouver for 2 weeks in mid-November to play some gigs with my ensemble, Zhambai and ZimbaMoto....and also do some recording with Zhambai.
No shortage of things to be at I spose.
And then on Dec.1 off to India for 2 months.
;-)
Sep.20, 2011 Residency is Over
It was great while it lasted but my residency with the City of Vancouver/Caravan World Rhythms and Vancouver Community College is just about over. Had a great time, taught some new students, made new friends and even better got a chance to make some new music...and pay people (including myself!) in the process. This Saturday will be a little display of some of that music and it promises to be something great, including a chance for me to finally play some mridangam in a decent setting, which is few and far between. Joining me will be some great players including Colin Maskell, Kristian Naso, Dan Shook, Francois Houle, Jared Burrows, Graham Ellsworth, Bonnie Soon, Jason Overy, Rod Caballero, Norm Patterson and special guest Vidyasagar Vankayala.
And it is free!!!
August 29, 2011 Summer into Fall
Is Summer over? Is it dictated by the months only? September around the corner? The feeling in the air? The weather? My days kinda flow into one another..I don't notice weekends, holidays and such like most people. I can do basically anything I want, when I want (within reason). So really, weather define seasons for me. That said, August was super sunny here in BC!
Did a lot of cool things, taught a bunch of Ghanaian drum classes, been working with a new trio (Francois Houle, Jared Burrows) which is more focused on my S.Indian inspired compositions (with me playing mridangam). All of those things are part of residency at VCC (via City of Vancouver/Caravan World Rhythms), which will end in a few weeks and culiminate in a "recital" of sorts. Has been a very fruitful period and helped me a lot.
Lately I've been playing/creating with Uzume Taiko here in Vancouver. They are not a traditonal taiko ensemble by any means, but are perhaps one of the more exciting in the groundbreaking work that they do. We'll be doing a 3-week tour in Belgium in October so our noses are to the grindstone in preparation and creating the show. Sounds awesome so far!!
All this activity has made me more aware of how we live our lives (as artists at least) by planning for the future......constantly. I am everyday looking at my calendar, planning rehearsals, gigs, tours, grants and such....all weeks/months away. It seems very odd as our life is happening here and now. It would be nice if I could just live in that here and now and not have to do such planning and living in "the future". Well, I guess I could but it mean a radical lifestyle shift and less $$, which we all kind of need right.
But how much? And to what end?
Oh yeah! I made a website for Zhambai Trio...it is HERE
July 20, 2011 Married!!!
Yes people, I am now a husband to the wonderful Anuradha Rao.
After a brief courtship of 7 years or so we finally made it binding, spiritually (most important) and legally (not so important). Happened on July 10 in St. John's at the local Hindu Temple surrounded by lots of friends and family. A beautiful ceremony if I may say so, following ancient Vedic rites with a slight modern variation. And then a great little party in the evening with amazing food!! While home I also had the chance to play a few gigs, watch some whales, re-connect with friends and overall had a an awesome time.
Now I'm back in Van City and ready to sink my teeth back into my teaching and residency and play some shows with Zimbamoto. Last night we had awesome show with Mbira dzeMuninga from Zimbabwe and will be heading to Komasket next weekend with Zhambai Trio to play this great little festival, from what I am told anyhow...I have never been there!
June 23, 2011 Present/Future
Things have been moving well. Settling back into Vancouver, rejoining my friends, playing a bit.
Last week's Ghanaian music workshop was great and another one tonight. If interested do contact me first.
Been playing with my good friends Pancho and Sal and various other good souls (Bocephus King, Navaro Franco, Robin Layne) at Chai Gallery and East is East. Check out these people if you get a chance. Music for the soul indeed.
Yesterday had an awesome meeting with Francois Houle and Jared Burrows who I'm forming a new trio with. This is made possible by the residecny I have at VCC which allows me the time, space and resources to meet weekly with these fellows and flesh out some new music. Some good things gonna come from this indeed.
And playing more Carnatic music lately in preparation for a young musician to make his debut as a singer. He is a student of the great local vocalist Vudyasagar Vankalya and the concert is this Saturday. For a youngster (13) he sings pretty well.
I'll be in Vancouver for most of the summer except for 10 days in NL (where I'll get married). Hopefully I'll get a chance to leave the city a bit and enjoy the beauty that BC has to offer. Maybe hit Zimfest in August as well if possible.
June 6, 2011 A new resident
So as you can tell by looking left, I have been lucky to receive a "residency" at VCC (Vancouver Community College). This is made possible by the City of Vancouver (who funds the whole thing) and Caravan World Rhythms (who applied on my behalf).
Essentially I'll be getting paid to teach some workshops, give some lec-dems (with some guest artists) and have the time and space to work on some new music. It will end in September.
The most significant aspect for someone reading this is the workshops in Ghanaian music/dance that I'll be offering every Thursday night. Spread the word and come check it out yourself if you can.
June 1, 2011 Decompression
My God......4 months have passed just about. Idlers tour seems like such a long time ago. I just arrived back from Ghana a few hours ago. Amazing time as usual. Reconnecting with old friends and forging new relationships as well.
Learning....giving....receiving.
I had 7 people come from Canada as part of the Live & Learn in Ghana 2011 program and I can say with confidence that they all embraced it 100% and got 110% back. The food, climate, music, customs, belief systems.....they took it all with gusto.
And no one got sick!!
After they left I admit the village was kind of dull, but I didn't stick around long as I headed east to Benin for a week to get more of the music there which is always a nice challenge. Reconnected with the Zodji family and had my mind opened just a little more with brother Joel Gboja Zodji and the zinli rhythm.
Then spent the last week or so traveling to Tamale to see my northern family which is always nice since I coould not see them last year. Some of the nicest people anywhere are the Atindaana famly of Tamale.
And now, after small-small bribery at the airport in Ghana, I have arrived back in Vancouver safely with some new kpanlogo drums and a giant gourd from Benin.
Now.....where do I begin?
February 25, 2011 Back from India and on the road
Had an amazing time in India over the past two months. Wrote a great missive about it which is here in the travels section of the India page. Will add some pics to accompany as well soon.
Should have some time as I am on the road now with Idlers from NL. Started the tour in Canmore about 10 days ago and it has been a blast. Great shows, great crowds...and amazing snowboarding in Fernie. First time for me in 18 years (!!). Came back to me in a flash....as did a completely sore body the day after.
Idlers tour is just beginning and have a bunch of dates across the country so check us out if you can and visit Idlers.ca to hear some tunes.
December 31, 2010 Back in India
After 3 years away, I finally landed back in Chennai...haven for dosa and Carnatic music lovers.
Arrived after a long journey at 4am, settled in and went to my guru Trichy Sankaran's house where we prepared for one of his concerts, a refreshing shower of music from Vijay Siva. Then back to guruji's house and then to have a night meal with he and his wife.
Quite a first day back....am a bit tired but getting into my groove a little bit now.
Am here until mid-February.
December 23, 2010 New album is here!!!
After several years sleeping on my computer, a duet album from trumpeter extrordinare Patrick Boyle and myself is out!!!
The album, entitled Rock Music and is a series of duet improvisations between the two of us.
Featuring trumpet, flugelhorn, gajda (Croation bagpipe), bass, African drums, bells, cymbals, mechanical birds, congas, drumset, water drums and more.
Out of the 20 tracks (57mins), there is at least one piece that anybody on
Earth will enjoy...I guarantee.
Maybe it will be the funky "Boswarlos", the pensive "Trepassy" or the
frenetic "Come By Chance"?
Perhaps the water drums of "Quirpon" will tickle your fancy, the floating
quality of "Flat Rock" or Pat's trumpet-beatboxing on "Spread Eagle"?
The music was inspired by or named after various unique place names in Newfoundland & Labrador..in some abstract way.
Music suitable for dancing, quiet listening, freaking out, driving, star
gazing, and more.
You can buy it from Fred's Records
in St. John's
and it will be on iTunes shortly.
November 15, 2010 Dzogadze in the news and the rest of 2010
In other news, I have bunch of local Vancouver gigs coming up (check to the left for deets) and will spending a good 18 days in Newfoundand over Xmas and play some gigs too.
Off to India from Dec.28-Feb.22!!
October 30, 2010 !!!!!!
I'm getting married!
India, Dec 2011....more to come...all are welcome if you can make it!
August 17, 2010 Updates and more
I finally got around to updating some sections of this website. Some new videos and pics have been finally put up in the Benin, Japan and galleries.
Visit the galleries and check them out..esp the vids on the Benin page.
Have also put up some new pics on the Dzogadze page relating to the foundation and the latest work we have been doing. Check that
here. Speaking of which, I'll outline a bit of those activities for y'all.
1. Purchased hundreds of geometry sets, pencils, exercise books and school uniforms
- To help ease the economic burden of individual students (and their families), we periodically purchase certain consumables for groups of students of different grades.
2. Purchased drawing boards to be kept as property of the school
- A drawing board is a certain piece of wood (kind of like a drafting board with a T-Square and such) used in some courses that are part of the curriculum. Instead of buying them for each student, the school owns these and lets students use them and return them.
3. Electrification of primary block and JSS block
- The village received electricity in 2009. Thus, it was decided to add lights and electrical sockets to a number of the rooms in the school complex.
4. Computer room creation/renovation
- Students in Ghana learn about computers/information technology but many schools have no computers. This village is such a case. Many students have never even seen or touched a computer yet are instructed to learn about them. 4 computers were procured from various sources and were brought to the village in April. With these in hand, a room in the JSS compound was renovated, fortified and has now become a computer lab! No internet connection or anything, but these systems will help kids get a little more familiar with computers and their basic functioning.
5. Mosquito Nets
- 100 mosquito nets were purchased and handed over to pregnant women, nursing mothers and families with small children in the village.
6. Water reservoir project
- For several years, however, the village has been petitioning the local government to help build a water reservoir in the town. This would provide a secure, abundant and safe means of water supply, and also one that is considerably more convenient and less stressful on each household. At present, a household must send several family members to the water pump with numerous water pans, wait in line, fill said pans and then transport them to their house (which may be quite far from the pump at times). A water reservoir system in the town, besides securing clean and safe water, also means an updated distribution system with pipes running to several taps throughout the town. And if people can afford it, they can choose to have the pipes come directly into their house.
- The local government is currently building this water reservoir. It is near completion and $700 of Foundation money was put towards it.
So as you can see, a few thousand dollars can go a long way.
And here are some recent pics as well.....
Kids checking out the new computer room for the first time.
Distribution of geometry sets, pencils, exercise books.
The water reservoir project under way.
July 6, 2010 Sound Symposium
The 15th annual Sound Symposium is under way. It is amazing. If you do not check any of it out, your life will be less beautiful than it could be.
Visit www.soundsymposium.com and choose something....anything.
And if anyone wants an mbira lesson with Kurai just drop me a line. And if you want any lessons with me, do the same..I am here in St. John's until Aug.2
June 21, 2010 I'm back!! (sorry for neglecting you website)
Well, seems like I forgot I had a website since I got back from Ghana a few weeks ago. The two months were amazing and intense...major learning experience. The Live & Learn Tour
was a great success and I am very eager to do it again next April, with newfound knowledge and experience. The people who came all had life-enriching and life-changing experiences, I'll post some of their words soon and post pics too (though I lost all of mine!!).
My own time spent studying in Benin was extremely eye-opening and mind-expanding. I felt like a child of rhythm at times learning a rhythm called zinli. Do a search on it try and find the one...any one. Will post some vids soon on that as well as photos from the whole trip.
As for now, I'm slowly settling back into Canadian life. Soon after arriving I was hi-jacked by The Idlers and went on a 8 day tour of B.C. which was in a word......awesome. Great crowds and amazing scenery...Tofino blew my mind. What a beach. In 10 days I will be off to The Rock for the whole month of July to play a wack of shows and will bring Kurai Mubaiwa with me...gonna be good times. And a plethora of other awesome musical activities are also planned on The Rock, my own group, Idlers action, Dzolali...keep watching my listings.
But before I leave for NL, I get a chance to play my own music with some great musicians here in Vancouver!!!...see the listings for more deets.
Mar.12, 2010 Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like...
Bananas!!! Wow....how did that happen? Been two months since I posted any "news". Maybe it is because I have had lots of news!
Have started a great new trio with Kurai Mubaiwa, a highly talented mbira/marimba (and several other instruments) player from Zimbabwe. The trio is called "Zhambai" (which means "scream" in Shona) and is composed of myself, Kurai and a great percussionist/dancer named Navaro Franco. We play straight-up traditional and some contemporary music on mbira, marimba and hosho. Very "trancy" and fulfilling. Check us out sometime.
Olympics have come and gone...I am relatively unscathed. Got a few gigs out of it though which was okay. Other than that I just read the headlines and stayed away from the crowds.
Gee, what else? The Ghana trip is full with 10 confirmed people...it's gonna be awesome. My visa is now being processed and preparations are being made on the ground over there. I was also lucky to get a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts to fund the study protion of my trip. I'll hang in Ghana for awhile and then spend some time in mysterious Benin, going deeper into that musical culture.
My jazz ensemble is slowly coming together as well (rehearsing is proving harder than I thought) and I have a few gigs planned for June when I come back from Ghana. July will be spent back in NL...best time to be there....a Sound Symposium year!!!
Stay tuned....
Jan.18, 2010 A new year...a new page
Twenty-Ten....has a nice ring to it. Am looking forward to what it will bring as I have a good feeling about it.
Happy New Year/Decade to you reading this!
Been back in BC for just over a week now and am getting some things on the move. One major thing is a series of workshops I have been taking with a visiting master Korean drummer named Kim Dong-won. This music is super funky and invigorating...shamanic ritual music in fact and it is interestingly, mostly in a 5-beat cycle..very cool.
Will try my hand at some workshops of my own at the end of the month. Depending on the response I may try for regular episodes....not enough Ghanaian music in these parts. As elsewhere, the djembe dominates...gotta bring some balance to the scene if you know what I mean.
And slowly, I am finally getting the Japan section of this site on the go. Check it out the Japan page for a taste. More to come.
Dec.26, 2009 Another award!!
Last week I was selected as the winner of the 2009 Atlantis Music Prize!! This award is patterned on the Canada-wide Polaris Music Prize , and is given annually to the best full-length album from Newfoundland and Labrador, judged solely on artistic merit, without regard to genre or record sales.
An independent panel of 40 journalists, musicians, and people recognized for their knowledge and appreciation of local music submitted their top picks for the best album released between November 1, 2008 and October 31, 2009.
Details about the whole thing are here at The Scope magazine website. The Scope is an awesome local arts/politics/life magazine that is doing much to promote community and communication about what goes in St. John's and Newfoundland as a whole. They sponsored the Atlantis prize.
Dec.17, 2009 Some new reviews
A couple of new reviews of my album from Wholenote Magazine (Toronto informative music mag) and Percussive Notes (journal of the Percussive Arts Society).
Dec.08, 2009 A slew of December gigs
I'm back in Newfoundland from Dec.10 to Jan.8 and playing a bunch of different gigs which I am very excited about. Not the least of which is a show with my group, my brother Duane's group and then Duane and I joining forces for a set with our good friend Patrick Boyle.
I'll also be holding a couple of fundraisers for the worthy Dzogadze Education Development Fund, which if you do not know about you can go here to find out more.
In other news, I just played an awesome show this past Sunday with a great band called Zimbamoto fronted by my friend Kurai Mubaiwa from Zimbabwe. We tore up the stage as we opened up for the amazing singer from Zim named Chiwoniso.
Good times had by all.
Another interesting note is that a little video I was in is getting spread around the interweb. A group called Foreign Policy Camp made the whole thing and it is quite interesting. The group itself has a mandate to stimulate debate, connectivity, change and thought about the way Canada and the world relates to each other. For this video, they had various people in different parts of the world give a line about what they think Canada needs to change about itself.
I was in Japan when I did mine (via Skype!)
Dec.7, 2009 ECMA awards nomination!!
A few days ago it was announced that I am up for an ECMA (East Coast Music Association) award. My record is up for "Instrumental Album of the Year".
The awards happen in March sometime.
We'll see what happens. For now, I'll forget about it unless something happens.
Well it seems somebody out there likes me. I have been given "Male Artist of the Year" and "Instrumental Album of the Year" by MusicNL!!! This past weekend MusicNL (the music industry association of Newfoundland/Labrador) had their annual gala award show/"pat each other on the back" night. It is usually a good place to see friends and drink a few beers.
I don't usually partake in much industry dealings but I figured since my record was funded by MusicNL I should particpate and put myself on the ballot.
Looks like it was a good idea as I won 2 out of 3 awards I was nominated for.
Thanks to all who made it possible.
So what does this mean?.......
I dunno.
In wider reaching news a track of mine has been has been included in a very worthwhile project called Tia Anita. It is spearheaded by a friend, Anne Stadlmair, who I went to university with at York U in Toronto. "The organization's mandate is to foster an awareness of grass-roots initiatives assisting orphans affected by aids - primarily in africa - while promoting a wide range of canadian music talent from the folk tradition to world music".
One of my tracks, "Olive Ridley's Lament" was included in their latest fundraising CD entitled "Harambee". For more info check it out by clicking here. Very cool.
Also, I'll be playing a cool gig on Dec.6 with Zimbamoto, a Zimbabwean group fronted by my good friend Kurai Blessing Mubaiwa. We'll be opening for fiery Zimbabwean singer Chiwoniso when she comes to Vancouver. For more info visit Caravan World Rhythms.
Nov.13, 2009 Back from Japan
Wow. What to say about this past little trip to Japan with The Discounts. We went all over Japan, played for a bunch of different crowds, saw some amazing places, ate some even more ineteresting food and took some great pics too. Not sure when I'll go back but if I can I will.
September 21, 2009 The present, the future, new pics/vids and a new page
Life in Vancouver, BC is treating me well. Me and Anu have been here for just over 3 months now and I’m getting a feel for the place. Making lots of friends as well and recognizing faces in different places that I venture…..which is nice.
My musical life here is of course different, but that is partially because my goal is not to be exactly what I was back in NL.
I have met a talented mbira player from Zimbabwe who I get along with nicely and we are planning some things. Also made a great connection with a gifted South Indian vocalist which has been a great experience. I have also found a great Ghanaian dancer who lives here and am slowly re-incarnating my drum/dance ensemble (Dzolali) on this coast.
The only thing I wish to make come alive is a group to perform my own music. But since I’m picky about who I play that music with, it is taking longer than I had hoped and (as I have been warned) people here seem to respond to your queries, shall I say, in a relaxed fashion.
Upcoming: 1) in Newfoundland from Oct.7-19 to play some shows on Oct.9, 15,16,17th.
2) From Oct.21-Nov.2 I’ll be heading to Japan with The Discounts.
Believe it….NL arts funding in effect!!!
3) Idlers will be releasing our much anticipated (and awesome sounding) new record in November 2009. YIS!!
Arrived on the night of the 15th and am starting to get a handle on the place....having a bike helps...and a map. I'll be fat and broke soon because there are so many awesome restaurants, the rent is crazy expensive and I'm living off savings with no immediate work prospects..must find work. Meeting some musicians and networking a bit to get the lowdown but it will take time to get busy anywhere near what I was in St. John's.
On the hunt for a house as well. If you know anything let me know.
Feeling good to be here though....the future is wide open.
Lots of things happening, I think I can find a place for myself with some time....main goal is find musicians to form a group with to play my music, maybe teach a bit as well as there are no mridangam players here or many people playing anything South Indian from what I can gather.....little to no Ghanaian music either.
And mountains.....
If you are reading this and are in Van City drop me a line.
curtisandrews(at)gmail.com
I would be lying though if I said I did not miss Newfoundland right now ;-)
May 25, 2009 UPCOMING SHOW
The Offering of Curtis Andrews
(playing world jazz niceness ;-)
Thursday, June 4th
Petro Canada Hall, MUN School of Music
8pm showtime
$10/PWYC
Tickets at the door.
Limited seating.
Curtis Andrews: drums, mrdangam, mbira
Bill Brennan: vibes/piano
Terry Campbell: trumpet
Chris Harnett: saxes
Brad Jefford: guitar
Rob Power: vibes/percussion
Josh Ward: bass
We'll be playing 1 long set of tunes from my album as well as a new composition I wrote for my good friend Kobla Adukpo in Ghana. Also be playing my arrangement of a traditional Zimbabwean mbira tune.
Do come by and grace us all with your attentive ears and clapping hands.
I'll be playing on June 12/13 with The Idlers at The Ship as well....but that will be a late night affair of course.
There is also a potential jazz gig this Friday (May 29) at The Rose and Thistle with the Brad Jefford Trio. But as of writing this, that has not been confirmed.
Further, may also play a set of improvised jazz with Grant King(guitar) and Dave Bridger(bass) on CHMR (93.5FM), live in the studio, this Thursday(May 27) from 9-11. A show called The New Spin hosted by Dashiell Brown.
All for now....please spread the word about June 4th whichever way you can...internet, telephone, telepathy, pigeon.
May 16, 2009 BACK IN NEWFOUNDLAND
Greetings one and all,
Just a short note (that is a change!!!) to let you all know that I have reached Canada safely and am now residing back in St. John's, Newfoundland for the next month.
My last few days in Ghana were very fulfilling and I was lucky enough to discover some wonderful things, some of which I have attached in picture form.
Spent just a coupla days in Toronto and could not could not see or contact everyone that I know and then went to The Rock.
I'll be in St. John's until early June when I move to BC for awhile...still looking for a place to live there.....and any kind of gig. So if you are in the know, let me know.
March 25, 2009 "ENGAGING, UPLIFTING AND WARMLY HUMAN"
Exclaim Magazine have a nice review of my new album in their new issue - read it here.
NEW LETTER AND PHOTOS FROM GHANA
I posted new photos from my trip to Ghana, where I currently am. The Dzogadze school is open and I have travelled there for the opening.
I got the call two weeks ago from Ledzi saying that they have finished. Thanks to everyone who helped with the fundraising over the past two years. There some pics in the Dzogadze gallery and I will be adding more in the near future. Tax-receipts are in process!!!
Also, I will be returning to Ghana on Feb.23 and returning in May. I plan to spend more time in the Volta and also visit Togo and Benin. Keep watching this space as I will have fresh pics of the school and other things I come across while there.
February 17, 2009 SHOW MOVED TO SATURDAY
The performance scheduled for Wednesday, February 18th had to be moved to Saturday, February 21st. All times and other details remain the same:
Here is a chance to hear a set from the recently released album of Curtis Andrews and a set by Dzolali who will be playing traditional music from Ghana and Zimbabwe.
There will also be some collaboration between the two groups and a chance for you to dance as well!!
Sadly, this will be the last time for awhile to hear any music like this (and there is no other in the city) as Curtis will be back in Ghana from Feb.23 until May.
Tickets at Fred's Records, Living Planet and Johnny Ruth...
$15...general admission
$10...students/seniors/under-employed
$5....kids/unemployed
Bring yourself and a friend.
This is event is all ages
Kids checking out the new computer room for the first time.
Distribution of geometry sets, pencils, exercise books.
The water reservoir project under way.
A slew of December gigs
UPCOMING SHOW
