Tag: vancouver

Buy a Record, Make a Difference 22: Sharon Minemoto

Buy a Record, Make a Difference is a new series we have created to help local musicians generate income during COVID-19. It is based on the principle that we should support and reward the hard work local artists have already put into recordings, as it is an immensely difficult undertaking to be creating new material under current circumstances. There is currently a lot of emphasis on livestreaming and innovation in our industry, and while those things absolutely have their place, we think it’s also important to boost projects that have already been completed.

In each post, we’ll ask a local artist a series of the same questions, give them the opportunity to talk about recordings they’re proud of, and ask them to talk about other local musicians whose work they admire. It’s our hope that you’ll take the time to listen to & purchase the work of local artists, or at the very least share their work with others.

SHARON MINEMOTO

1. Who are you?

I am a jazz pianist/composer/instructor at VCC. I lead a trio, a quartet, and a quintet. My trio and quintet have each released one CD as well as several shows for CBC Radio. In addition to my own ensembles, I have performed in groups led by Jill Townsend, Cory Weeds, John Korsrud, James Danderfer, Laura Crema, Alan Matheson, Mike Allen, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Phoenix Chamber Choir. I’ve also been on faculty at Vancouver Community College in the school of music since 2000. 

2. Describe your music as best you can.

My compositions draw influences from a range of composers such as Duke Ellington, Scriabin, Kenny Wheeler, Jobim as well as music from the Motown and pop genres.

3. What’s your latest recording (or a recording you’d like to promote)? Where can people get it?

People can contact me directly from my website and we can arrange delivery and payment privately, or you can get it on iTunes.

4. Is there another local musician whose work you’d like to give a shout out to? 

Jon Bentley… he plays tenor sax in my quartet. He is one of the most versatile musicians on the west coast, playing with great command of many styles. He can play straight-ahead jazz, electronic music, pop, and he is a great composer.

Buy a Record, Make a Difference 21: Dalannah Bowen

Dalannah Gail Bowen will be performing as part of Winter Jazz on Feb 21 at 3:45PM. RSVP for free here:

RSVP

Buy a Record, Make a Difference is a new series we have created to help local musicians generate income during COVID-19. It is based on the principle that we should support and reward the hard work local artists have already put into recordings, as it is an immensely difficult undertaking to be creating new material under current circumstances. There is currently a lot of emphasis on livestreaming and innovation in our industry, and while those things absolutely have their place, we think it’s also important to boost projects that have already been completed.

In each post, we’ll ask a local artist a series of the same questions, give them the opportunity to talk about recordings they’re proud of, and ask them to talk about other local musicians whose work they admire. It’s our hope that you’ll take the time to listen to & purchase the work of local artists, or at the very least share their work with others.

DALANNAH BOWEN

1. Who are you? 

My name is Dalannah Gail Bowen and I am living my 75th year. I have been singing since I was twenty years of age and I sing blues/jazz and gospel music.

I recently recorded my 6th CD called Looking Back and the music is my perspective on the current state of the world….smiles!

2. Describe your music as best you can.

My music has been described as “Billie Holiday meets Howlin’ Wolf”, which  is an indicator of my style. When I was younger, I sang more in the Etta James vein but now I am more laid back.

3. What’s your latest recording (or a recording you’d like to promote)? Where can people get it?

My latest recording is Looking Back and you can get it here, or contact me at dalannahsmusic (at) gmail (dot) com and we can make arrangements.

4. Is there another local musician whose work you’d like to give a shout out to? 

I’d like to give  a shout out to Michael Creber who has been my piano player for many years and is an exceptional musician.

Buy a Record, Make a Difference 20: Kristin Fung

Buy a Record, Make a Difference is a new series we have created to help local musicians generate income during COVID-19. It is based on the principle that we should support and reward the hard work local artists have already put into recordings, as it is an immensely difficult undertaking to be creating new material under current circumstances. There is currently a lot of emphasis on livestreaming and innovation in our industry, and while those things absolutely have their place, we think it’s also important to boost projects that have already been completed.

In each post, we’ll ask a local artist a series of the same questions, give them the opportunity to talk about recordings they’re proud of, and ask them to talk about other local musicians whose work they admire. It’s our hope that you’ll take the time to listen to & purchase the work of local artists, or at the very least share their work with others.

KRISTIN FUNG

Photo by Glass Half Delicious
1. Who are you? 

I’m Kristin Fung and I’m an ice cream inhaler, midnight cyclist, and lover of dancing anywhere. I’m also a vocalist, keyboardist, composer, and ukulele player who loves building community, especially through music education. I lived in Toronto for the past seven years and I loved the very colourful life I had there — from recording and performing my original music with amazing collaborators who have been my greatest teachers — to busking in the subways with my ukulele duet, K Funk and Lady Ree, to playing piano in ballet classes, 5-star hotel lounges, and improv comedy shows. I’m grateful to be back in Vancouver, where I was born and raised, during this very strange time of flattening the curve of the covid-19 pandemic, and I believe very strongly in helping people in vulnerable communities rise and thrive.

2. Describe your music as best you can.

It’s a fusion of the sounds I’ve fallen in love with since I was a kid: 90s R&B, 70s soul, jazz through the lens of musical theatre, and experimental improvised music. People say it’s full of zeal and that it’s earnest, outpouring, lyrical, dramatic, groovy, and joyful. The music I make empowers people, draws them into deeply heartfelt places, and makes them feel warm inside.

3. What’s your latest recording (or a recording you’d like to promote)? Where can people get it?

I just released my latest single, “You For You” on all digital platforms on June 21, which was the day my band would have performed at this year’s Vancouver jazzfest (I still thank you and love you and miss you all at Coastal Jazz very much).

This song is an uplifting anthem about loving yourself and others despite capitalist pressure to continually chase what’s ‘shiny and new.’ It’s actually been the perfect song for the pandemic, not only because you can feel the happiness oozing out of the track, but that it reminds us to go back to who we are at our core, know that we are loved, and get through this twisted life journey together.

You can find it on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, Google Play, etc… but I’d really rather you buy it on Friday July 3rd on Bandcamp because I’ll be donating 100% of the revenue earned that day to The Hogan’s Alley Society, an important advocate for rebuilding the communities of Black Canadians in Vancouver whose homes were destroyed and erased in the 1970s.

4. Is there another local musician whose work you’d like to give a shout out to? 

All the Canadian heavyweights who played on my track “You For You.” Sarah Thawer, who is a monstrously talented percussionist. Rich Brown, Canada’s national treasure who takes the electric bass above and beyond. Anh Phung, the fiercest flute player you’ll ever know. Eric St-Laurent, the most perceptive guitarist I’ve ever played with. Tyler Emond and B.Morales for being musically compassionate and irreplaceable in the mixing process.

Local to Vancouver at the moment, I am really excited about the musical offerings we’re receiving from KeAloha Noelani, Kai Basanta, and Ben Brown – all of them play the drums but each person has such a distinct creative voice!