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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Juno-nominated artist Barbra Lica is a fast-rising star in the Canadian music scene and has been receiving accolades for a unique vocal ability that stresses subtlety and grace. Based in Toronto, Canada, Barbra’s live show captivates audiences all over North America with her genuine warmth and confident stage presence.
A deep passion for the music of classic vocalists like Doris Day and Ella Fitzgerald led Barbra to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance at the University of Toronto. Shortly after graduating, Barbra was runner-up in the 2013 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition with judges Al Jarreau and Gretchen Parlato. Now a seasoned live act on the Canadian club and festival circuit, Barbra consistently performs in intimate spaces and prestigious theatres, such as Toronto’s Jazz Bistro and Koerner Hall.

​“Barbra Lica is a dazzling performer who has talent to burn and vocals that will knock you over.”– Ross Porter (CEO & President, JAZZ.FM91)
“Lica smiles when she sings. You can heart it. When you see her in concert, you’ll see it too. In a word, refreshing”
– Tim Tamashiro, Host, CBC Radio

For more info on the band, visit: http://www.barbralicamusic.com/

 Producer: MCTV

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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Over the past 15 years the trad Quebec group Genticorum has become a fixture on the international world, trad, folk and Celtic music circuit. The band’s five albums met with critical acclaim in Canada, the United States and Europe, assuring the band a brilliant future. Known for its energy and its stage presence, Genticorum has given more than 800 concerts in more than 15 countries.
Firmly rooted in the soil of their native land, the energetic and original traditional ‘power trio’ also incorporates the dynamism of today’s North American and European folk cultures in their music. They weave precise and intricate fiddle, flute and accordion work, gorgeous vocal harmonies, energetic foot percussion and guitar accompaniment into a big and jubilant musical feast. Their distinctive sound, sense of humour and stage presence makes them a supreme crowd pleaser.

“For a three piece, Genticorum makes a very full and glorious noise, both instrumentally and vocally… This is a band that’s going to go places.”— SING OUT!

For more info on the band, visit: http://www.genticorum.com/

 Producer: MCTV

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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Though each member of Night Tree originates from a different musical world, the six members have come together to a create a new sound that is unique to their instrumentation and musical voice, both attracting and bewildering enthusiastic crowds while connecting folk music lovers, café radio junkies, jazz enthusiasts, free-improvisers, and beyond.
These six conservatory-trained musicians have absorbed genres from across the globe. Night Tree is unique, not only for its abnormal instrumentation of two fiddles, cello, accordion, saxophone, percussion, and the occasional viola and mandolin, but for their collective representation and incorporation of traditions from Irish, Classical, Swedish, Jazz, Klezmer, and Afro-Cuban music. Each artist’s personality is given a spot to emerge with fiery improvisation, individual compositions, and a pristine ear. The band thrives on playing in darkness as to allow themselves the opportunity to solely listen with the absence of any possible visual distractions. They react to each other at any given time, in a matter of seconds. They have learned to get inside each other’s musical minds, creating one blossoming and unpredictable wave of sound that is Night Tree.

“I’m thrilled to have been part of this brilliant young band’s debut album. They play with such spark and musicality. Thoughtful compositions, precise, inventive arrangements. An absolute joy. Go hear them!” -Séamus Egan, founding member of SOLAS and Night Tree producer

For more info on the band, visit: http://nighttreemusic.com

 Producer: MCTV

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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Husband and wife duo, The Bengsons, blend rousing, all-join-hands group choruses, spry melodies and energetic, frenetic rhythms to create rock/art/theater performances. The Bengsons have appeared at such venues as Joe’s Pub (NYC), NYU’s Skirball Center (NYC), 92YTribeca (NYC), MASS MoCA (North Adams, MA), FlynnSpace (Burlington, VT), Z Space (San Francisco), On The Boards (Seattle), Pianos (NYC), Rockwood Music Hall (NYC), University of Southern California (LA), and the Market Theater (Johannesburg, South Africa). Their music has been featured for the past three years on So You Think You Can Dance (FOX). Abigail Bengson has also appeared as a member of tUnE-yArDs, including an appearance on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

Abigail Nessen Bengson possesses “not only a tremendous musical talent, but a raw honesty, a sincere righteousness.” – The New York Times

“The band has to rise to every music journalists list as a must see band soon, because it is unlike anything you have ever seen. Its as fast and furious as a punk show but as creative and clever as an Off-Broadway play. Boundaries for The Bengsons do not exist and their shows are a testament to this.” – The Huffington Post

“Quirky and radiantly emotive.” – Timeout New York

For more info on the band, visit: http://bengsons.com/

Producer: MCTV

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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]A ukulele and cello duo might seem like an odd combination, but only until you hear the music these two create. James Hill is widely regarded as one of the best ukulele players in the world and Anne Janelle is “a cellist of true beauty” (Ottawa Citizen) who has performed with Kanye West and Bruce Cockburn.
Together, James and Anne craft a sound that is intricate, enchanting and engaging: “a crystal clear sound filled with warmth” (Bob Mersereau, CBC).
Their album True Love Don’t Weep won the 2008 Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Traditional Album of the Year.
They are accomplished instrumentalists and some of the finest songwriters of their generation. Their music has been
described as “inventive, entertaining, beautifully written and brilliantly performed” (R2 Magazine).
In short, a night out with James Hill & Anne Janelle is “the perfect evening of tunes, stories and musical virtuosity”
(Wellington Dominion-Post).

“If you thought James Hill was simply the ukulele wunderkind, his latest album will convince you that he is also a great songwriter.” – Penguin Eggs
A fine songwriter and ukester par excellence.” – Raffi

For more info on the band, visit: https://www.jameshillannejanelle.com/[ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV

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[/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_2third_end]Mokoomba is one of Africa’s most exciting young bands, dazzling audiences worldwide with their knockout live shows and potent blend of traditional Tonga, Luvale, & Nyanja sounds laced with international styles from soukous to soul.
Mokoomba is based in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. The band’s six members, Mathias Muzaza (lead vocals), Ndaba Coster Moyo (drums, backing vocals), Trustworth Samende (lead guitar, backing vocals), Donald Moyo, (keyboards, backing vocals), Miti Mugande, (percussion & backing vocals) and Abundance Mutori (bass, backing vocals) grew up as friends in the Chinotimba township.
Living in a border city that attracts tourists from all over the world gave Mokoomba’s music an international perspective from the beginning, incorporating everything from reggae to afropop to soul alongside their own local musical traditions.
The group’s members began playing together as teenagers in 2001, and Mokoomba was officially formed in 2008. Their first major success came that same year, when they won the Music Crossroads Inter-Regional Festival Competition in Malawi.

Since then, Mokoomba has become one of Zimbabwe’s most popular bands, playing with such icons as Hugh Masekela, Baba Maal and the Talking Head’s Tina Weymouth and Chris Franz. They’ve rocked legendary rooms and stages worldwide, from NYC’s Apollo Theater, and The Kennedy Center is Washington, D.C., to London’s 100 Club and Amsterdam’s Melkweg, to WOMEX and SXSW, sealing their reputation as one of Africa’s best young live bands.

For more info on the band, visit: http://www.mokoomba.band/[ezcol_1third] Producer: MCTV