Music in the Gardens

Punching through the walls of tradition, The McDades’ Celtic-rooted music fuses the spontaneity of jazz improvisation and infectious global rhythms. The Juno Award winners’ cutting edge sound is the perfect complement to their fiery performances.

At the heart of the group are siblings Shannon, Solon & Jeremiah who grew up playing Canadian folk music alongside their parents and among artists from around the world; a unique upbringing that led to a love and respect for all music.  Their ground-breaking compositions and innovative arrangements are characterized by stunning virtuosity and a near-telepathic interaction on stage.

With vocal harmonies that can only come from a family, and an obvious love for each other and their music, The McDades’ sound is immersed in the spirit of improvisation.  Combining original tunes and unique interpretations of traditional songs, their performances feature both energetic instrumentals and moving vocals performed in English and French.  This compelling and dynamic group “finds their groove somewhere between a down-home kitchen party, a jazzy after hours club, and a folk festival.” (London Free Press)

The McDades are winners of the Juno Award for Best Roots Album (group) and two Canadian folk music awards (World Group of the year and Instrumental album of the year).  Their new album “The Empress” continues to highlight the group’s one-of-a-kind sound and irresistible groove.  “This Kicks!” (fRoots)

Quote the Raven, consisting of Jordan Coaker and Kirsten Rodden-Clarke have been performing together for over a decade. The pair got their start in the small bars and pubs around St. John’s and in the past few years have rapidly grown to a household name around Canada and are steadily growing their clout on an international level.

The dynamic duo have a harmonious blend that’s incomparable; it’s like the blending of two voices into one, while their Americana meets east coast songwriting and stage dynamic are irresistibly charming. With over one million streams across all streaming platforms it’s clear that Quote the Raven have been catching the attention of listeners and that’s apparent from their touring history as well. With one Cross Canadian Tour, five Eastern Canadian and two Western Canadian tours under their belts, and with more to come in 2023 and 2024, the duo have performed at major festivals around the Country. Their sophomore album titled Can’t Hold the Light, an album that delves into the lives of working musicians won the 2022 ECMA for Contemporary Roots album of the year and has been nominated for two Canadian Folk Music Awards. It’s clear to see that Quote the Raven are on an upward trajectory with no slowing down in sight.

Performing great big band songs by Glenn Miller, Buddy Rich, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Big Bad Voo Doo Daddy, Brian Setzer, Ella Fitzgerald, Herb Alpert, Sammy Nestico, Stan Kenton, and local arrangers and songwriters such as Buddy Aquilina and André Bisson. This band has been performing big band music since 2005 around the Burlington/Hamilton area. Come hear some great big band songs with special guest vocalists André Bisson and Aubrey Wilson!

Although Alex Pangman grew up a couple of generations late to have sung with Teddy Wilson, the vibrant vocalist is proud to be known as Canada’s Sweetheart of Swing. With pipes aplenty, Juno nominee Pangman possesses the requisite taste, talent and the historical knowledge of an avid record collector to breathe new life into the sturdy standards of the classic jazz era. She’s also a broadcaster on JAZZ.FM91 on her program Swing Set, where she shares the records and stories of the swinging music that began to take shape in the 1920s, hit its stride in the ’30s and ’40s, and continues to be played by artists today.

A superb song stylist with growing compositional chops, the gifted Toronto scenemaker and singer has built a loyal fanbase amongst jazz listeners and dancers alike through her critically acclaimed work with her stacked Alleycats in the studio, nightclubs and concert halls across Canada including three stellar showcases at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. (Her Alleycats band includes Peter Hill on piano, Glenn Anderson on drums, Chris Banks on bass, and John Macleod & Brigham Phillips on cornet/trumpet, Ross Wooldridge on clarinet & sax, and/or Drew Jurecka on violin and reeds, with Jesse Barksdale on guitar.)

Representing two generations that communicate through a very fine narrative, powerfully presented with two voices that speak of sacrifice, triumph and one generation passing its best on to the next. Eddie alongside his son Quincy deliver beautiful arrangements for two pianos as the musicians weave the musical classics of Jazz, Classical, Calypso, Reggae, and The Blues into their story.

Eddie Bullen – Pianist, composer, arranger, and producer. Eddie Bullen is in every way, a standout amongst his generation of multi-talented artists. Eddie’s lengthy career has yielded an abundance of awards and recognition for his outstanding talents. Eddie Bullen has produced over 200 albums and is currently working on several new ventures through his record company ThunderDome Sounds and publishing company QDB music.

Quincy Bullen – Quincy Bullen is an accomplished pianist, composer, producer, multi-instrumentalist (drums, bass, guitar) and singer. Extraordinarily talented, with a great sense of timing, Quincy ‘wows’ audiences across Canada, the USA and the Caribbean. His style is jazz with a funky vibe. His repertoire includes his own version of popular standards from jazz, R&B, Pop and soul as well as his original compositions.

When the world gets down on Little Magic Sam, he gets down on a Les Paul. Hailing from St. Thomas, ON, Sam Taylor is a born entertainer with a penchant for raw blues and soul music and lyrics that bely someone much older than his 29 years. With an enormous stage presence, it comes as no surprise that this multi-talented singer/songwriter has been performing internationally since the age of 7.

After graduating from Fanshawe College with a diploma in Music Industry Arts, Sam headed into EMAC Studios with producer Moe Berg (of Pursuit of Happiness) on two original songs; Thought of Leaving and Loaded Gun, both of which received airplay across Southern Ontario. Sam’s versatile and honest songwriting gives his music the emotional edge that sets him apart as a talented up and comer. He has shared the stage with Chuck Leavell (The Rolling Stones), Gordon Lightfoot, and Whitehorse in Canada as well as with Chicago blues legends Linsey Alexander, Claudette Miller and Mary Lane. Sam currently resides in Toronto and performs regularly throughout Ontario.

Do you like traditional Country, Swing, Jazz and Blues? Then you’re going to love Western Swing!

With 5 full length albums, numerous singles, videos and countless performances over the span 13 years, the Western Swing Authority has become Canada’s most recognized and awarded authentic Western Swing group. Made up of a collection of some of the country’s finest touring and studio musicians, they came together to play the timeless style of music they love. Seamlessly combining stellar musicianship and vocals, fusing together western swing, traditional country, and jazz standards and their own “new vintage” originals, they have created a sound that is truly their own.

WSA have been recognized with awards and nominations in both Canada and the United States and are reintroducing the Western Swing sound to an entire new generation of music lovers with every performance.

The Western Swing Authority is Shane Guse (fiddle, vocals), Stacey Lee Guse (vocals), Ed “Pee Wee Charles” Ringwald (steel guitar), Dan Howlett (fiddle, vocals), Paul “Chappy” Chapman (guitar and vocals), Matthew Lima (stand up bass) and Jimmy Boudreau (drums).

Antonella is an accomplished vocal performer with over 20 years experience. She sings in a variety of different genres such as pop, jazz and classical. She has also embraced her Italian heritage and Latin roots and sings in Italian and Spanish.

She has had the privilege of participating in such music competitions as Rising Star at the CNE and Chin Radio’s Italian Canadian Song Festival, where she placed first, 2nd and 3rd twice. She has also performed the National Anthem for the Toronto FC and the Toronto Rock at the Air Canada Centre, as well as at Nathan Phillips Square to kick off fundraising walks for Autism Speaks.

Antonella vocally trained with the late Bill Vincent, who taught speech – level singing, a vocal technique taught and introduced worldwide, by Los Angeles Based voice teacher to the stars, Seth Riggs.

Throughout the years, Antonella has had the opportunity to work with many talented, well respected, musical groups in the GTA and Niagara region. She is versatile in performing as a soloist, and with different ensembles at wedding ceremonies and receptions, private functions, fundraisers and various outdoor festivals throughout the GTA and Niagara Region.

Shawnee Kish discovered music as medicine at a very early age. Born dreaming about being on stage and starting her journey toward a career in music at the age of 12, music quickly became a source of self-empowerment for the Two Spirit soulful singer, allowing her to stand tall in her personal strength and power. So far this year, Shawnee has celebrated her first JUNO award nomination (Contemporary Indigenous Artist of the Year), earned a place on the Edmonton Music Prize’s 2021 long list and signed to a label (Amelia Recordings).

Named the winner of CBC’s 202 Searchlight talent competition, this fierce, powerhouse artist has been celebrated as one of North America’s Top Gender Bending Artist (MTV), and name by Billboard as an Artist You Need To Know and continuously uses her music to empower.

Listening to her chart-topping releases can easily recognize that, as an artist, Shawnee has been influenced by strong, confident voices of female performers such as Melissa Etheridge, Etta James, Nina Simone and Amy Winehouse. Her deeply personal and always poignant lyrics are rooted in healing, and allowing both herself and her listeners to find purpose and reason in the stories she tells.

An outspoken advocate for her Indigenous and LGBTQ2+ communities, Shawnee is a proud Two Spirit Mohawk who has shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest names – Lady Gaga, Madonna and Alicia Keys to name a few. 2021 saw the Edmonton- based artist release an EP that addressed personal struggles. “The main theme was lighting up what used to be and getting on with what is now. The song represent becoming yourself, finding out where you were was not where you wanted to be and fully embracing that in order to let go. Light the Place up, even if it’s unintentional.”

Shawnee is clearly an artist with vision, who will spend 2023 lighting up stages across North America. She will also continue her work with the We Matter Campaign and Kids Help Phone in hopes of empowering youth, providing strength and hope through music.