Artist Bios
Alert the Medic
Compelling performances, dynamic songs and four young charismatic gentlemen (two with Phil Collins addictions)—add a toy ambulance to the mix and you've got the ingredients to Nova Scotia's best kept secret, Alert the Medic. This Halifax based rock group had an impressive year in 2008, receiving two ECMA nominations, Rising Star Recording of the Year and Rock Recording of the Year. In September, the band was part of the D250 Rollercoaster University tour featuring illScarlett and had the privilege of opening for Canadian rock icons Our Lady Peace. In March, Alert the Medic made the move to Toronto to record their much anticipated sophomore album, scheduled for release in September.
Autumn’s Reach
Since April 2008, Autumn’s Reach has been rocking the Pictou County music scene with their own version of 80’s rock. A pet project of drummer Arnold Charron, formerly of local AC/DC tribute band Dirty Deeds, Autumn’s Reach has stayed true to the heart of 80’s music by playing each song loud, with an in-your-face attitude. Charron is joined by Jona Currie, whose lead vocals are reminiscent of Pat Benitar and Stevie Nicks, Lynn DeCoste on piano and vocals, Jesse Hart on bass and AJ Leadbetter on lead guitar. The band’s repertoire of 80’s metal classics also includes some heavy twists on modern pop songs, such as Rihanna’s Disturbia and Madonna’s Hollywood—even 80’s hair bands would be impressed!
Beyond Ash
One of the best rock bands to come out of Pictou County, this popular quartet has been together since 2000. Their gritty and infectious, aggressive rock sound, along with clever melodies, has made them a fan favourite. With three albums and a video under their belt, the band has earned a name for itself outside of the Maritimes. Having toured across Canada, winning the Roseland Battle of the Bands, playing at the New York International Music Festival, placing second in a Canada wide battle of the bands with Bodog Music and having their song “Never Let Go” featured in the film Waking Dead, Beyond Ash have made their mark on the Canadian music scene.
Instrumentation: Ashley George, vocals & rhythm guitar; Jody Turner, lead guitar; Joel Boyce, bass guitar and Steve Keough, drums.
Charlie A’Court
Combine a rich, rhythm & blues upbringing with soulful, adult-contemporary songwriting and you have the foundation for one of Canada’s brightest new stars. Winner of the East Coast Music Award’s 2007 Pop Recording of the Year and 2007 Music Nova Scotia Blues Recording of the Year for his latest album Bring On The Storm and 2003 Best Blues Artist for his debut album Color Me Gone, Charlie A’Court has emerged as an emotionally charged and soul moving performer. Fearlessly bridging genres and challenging stylistic conventions, his music and passionate voice stir up the listener’s emotions, touching the very core of audiences around the world. Charlie’s modern blues style, mixed with his contemporary songwriting has created a mass appeal. Fuelled by emotion and a desire for delivering powerful music, Charlie A’Court is undoubtedly one of Canada’s new generation of fresh singer/songwriters, attracting fans internationally with gutsy vocals and his colourful yet solid guitar playing.
Chilliwack
Rising out of the ashes of psychedelia in 1969, Canada’s legendary Chilliwack released 12 albums over a 15 year period, producing numerous Canadian and international hits including “Lonesome Mary”, “Fly At Night”, “Arms Of Mary”, “California Girl”, “Communication Breakdown”, “My Girl (gone gone gone)”, “I Believe”, “Whatcha Gonna Do” and “Don’t Stop”. All this work led to fifteen gold and platinum records, a host of awards, high profile television appearances and coliseum concert tours. Chilliwack’s reputation for consistently powerful shows led one journalist to propose an insurance policy covering career damage to major international artists who had to appear on the same stage. Chilliwack is still winning over young classic rockers and delighting longtime fans. Bill Henderson and the band are rocking like never before. Hearing the revitalized Chilliwack of 2009 is like hearing those songs for the first time…all over again.
Coco Love Alcorn
As a performer, she is always in the moment; joyful and genuine, soulful and compelling. Coco Love Alcorn sings joyful soul; a combination of her diverse musical influences including jazz, pop, R&B and folk. Her voice is hailed as extraordinary, beautiful and stunning. Her playful and witty character, love of improvising and her willingness to engage fearlessly with the audience has made Coco Love Alcorn a leader and visionary on the Canadian music scene. Her latest album Joyful is a sparkling alloy of jazz, soul and contemporary folk melded seamlessly into Alcorn’s own distinctive and unique sound. Her songs about love, life and social awareness creates new fan favourites, which resonate uplifting, strong and passionate lyrics.
Dave Gunning
Acclaimed as one of Canada’s best up-and-coming singer-songwriters, Dave Gunning is a charismatic performer. He infuses his shows with his own brand of humorous tales and touching commentary on the everyday, bringing a special vibrancy, energy and life to his heartfelt songs. Blending sensitive folk and innovative arrangements to his original and traditional songs, Gunning is rapidly building a solid audience fan base wherever he performs. He has performed at numerous international festivals and been praised by international media critics as someone who is positioned to go straight to the top. He is a multi-award winning artist, most recently scoring two 2008 East Coast Music Awards for Male Artist of the Year and Folk Recording of the Year for his sixth recording, House For Sale. Dave’s song, “Hard Workin’ Hands (co-written with Ron Hynes) was recently named First Place Winner (folk category) in the 2008 Indie International Songwriting Contest and was honored as a Finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition and the John Lennon Song Contest.
Fleur and Friends
There’s no better way to kick off the Jubilee than with a kitchen party and Fleur and Friends is back to get the event off to a rockin’ good start. Fleur Mainville on fiddle and Robbie MacInnis on the highland bagpipes will be playing some electric, good ol’ Maritime sets. They’ll be joined by some of Pictou County's great singers, Ashley George, front man of Beyond Ash who has released a solo CD, with Karen Corbin, who will grace us with her beautiful vocals for a few songs. Backing everyone will be Daniel Baird. You'll also see some fantastic highland dancing by Crosby School of Dance. All local talent, all from the county, all ready to have a big ol' Kitchen Party!
Ghostrider Blues Band & The Allied Horns
Based in Northern Nova Scotia, Ghostrider Blues Band & The Allied Horns is made up of veteran musicians from Pictou County, Truro and Halifax. Recently formed, the band offers high-energy, guitar-driven rocking blues with powerful horns and colourful keyboards. Ghostrider's passion for the craft adds to the performance of their selection of classics from the many decades and genres of Blues music. Ghostrider delivers a very entertaining show that is designed to be a crowd-pleasing good time.
Instrumentation: Paul Morse – lead vocals, guitars; Mike Jackson – piano, organ, harmonica; Dan Bowers – bass; Bruce Murray – drums; Andrew Alcorn – trumpet; John Hollis – Sax; Paul Barrett – trombone.
Groundskeepers
grounds•keeper (gro̵undz′kēp′ər)
noun
person(s) who tends the grounds of a musak playing field, estate, cemetery, etc.
groundskeepers consists of four established keepers of the grounds. Molded through the "Mike" MacDougall cue stick vibe, Gavin "the flavor" Scott's lead shovelin' techniques, cultivating the low regions and pushin' the dirt in rhythmic fashion, Al "Bass" Anson and Scoti "D-rum" d'Coast.
As long as ground keeps...rock on.
Jason Blaine
Raised in a musical family that sparked an early passion for country music, Jason Blaine’s music career began with playing many festivals and fairs in Ontario and opening for some of Canada’s top recording acts—eventually including an appearance with Paul Brandt on the 2004 Canadian Country Music Awards show. Nominated for the Best New Country Group or Solo Artist at the 2004 Canadian Radio Music Awards, as well as CCMA nominations for Independent Single of the Year and Rising Star (2006 and 2007), the inroads made with his debut singles continue to pay dividends. With Top 20 hits and Top 10 CMT hits, Jason made the move to Nashville, where he immediately landed a publishing deal and the opportunity to write on a daily basis with some of finest writers Nashville has to offer. His sophomore record produced immediate results spawning two Top 5 singles and two #1 videos.
Joel Plaskett
It all started simply enough. Joel Plaskett noticed that he had three songs coming together where each title was one word repeated three times: the hillbilly stomper “Rolling, Rolling, Rolling”; the soulful electric-piano ballad “Rewind, Rewind, Rewind” and the aching folk-pop of “Gone, Gone, Gone”. The idea of releasing a triple album flowed quickly from there. The albums are themed according to the three aspects of traveling: departure, separation and return.
Plaskett has earned his reputation as a consistently exciting, dynamic live performer, even from his teen years fronting the Halifax indie band Thrush Hermit. He’s garnered steadily increasing critical respect and commercial success in his recording career with his stellar band, The Emergency (Dave Marsh on drums and Chris Pennell on bass). His infectiously catchy hit single, “Nowhere With You,” landed Plaskett on the Top 10 at hot Adult Contemporary (AC) radio. He also garnered three 2007 East Coast Music Awards. Ashtray Rock was nominated for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize and earned Plaskett and his band all six of the 2008 ECMA’s for which they were nominated. Plaskett has also earned several Juno nominations, including Songwriter of the Year alongside Neil Young, and was the First Place Winner in the 2008 Great American Song Contest and the Billboard World Song Contest for “Fashionable People” (Pop Category). The Jubilee is thrilled to have fan-favourite Joel Plaskett back for this year’s event.
Mike Trask & Mudhill
Mike honed his skills as a singer/songwriter under, Jim Henman, one of the founders of April Wine. Mike and his band Mudhill, made up of Mike Barnes, Al Hoskins and Lance Purcell recorded their debut album The Show during which time they showcased at the ECMA’s, the Juno’s, the CFL and Stan Rogers Folk Festival. Mike Trask & Mudhill have since won the Q-104 Battle of the Bands and headlined the Tall Ships Nova Scotia festival main stage. The band has played alongside Matt Mays, Sam Roberts, 54-40 and Joel Plaskett. Their high-energy stage shows, coupled with Mike’s classical voice training of late and several singles that are getting loads of airplay, makes Mike Trask & Mudhill one band to watch.
Ron Hynes
One of Canada’s premier singer-songwriters, Ron Hynes has created beautifully crafted signature songs for nearly 35 years. With seven solo albums and numerous collaborative recordings to his credit, Ron Hynes is a six-time East Coast Music Award winner, a Genie Award winner, and a JUNO, CCMA and Canadian Folk Music Award nominee. He holds an Honorary PhD from Memorial University for his song writing and contribution to the cultural life of his beloved Newfoundland, and is the recent recipient of the SOCAN National Achievement Award for songwriting career success.
Frequently referred to as the "man of a thousand songs", Ron Hynes has numerous folk classics to his name and many others have been recorded by artists worldwide, including Emmylou Harris, Murray McLauchlan, Valdy, John McDermott, Prairie Oyster and many more. His most recent release, a self-titled CD, is touted by many as his most brilliant work to date and was recognized with MusicNL awards for Songwriter of the Year, Folk-Roots Artist of the Year, Entertainer of The Year and the 2007 East Coast Music Award for Male Solo Recording of the Year.
Ryan Cook and Sunny Acres
Ryan Cook is a rather unusual suspect in the world of honky-tonk singer/songwriters. Raised in a large dairy farming family in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Cook did just about everything he could to outrun the expected outcome of cowboy culture and country music. In fact, he began screaming in punk rock and death metal garage bands as a teenager. He found himself falling in love with country music while working as a student music therapist in a retirement home and fielding requests to play traditional country music. After recording demos and showcasing his music across Atlantic Canada, Cook entered the studio with his touring band Sunny Acres. The award-winning debut LP Hot Times (2008) is a bouncing collection of harlequin characters and slapstick stories, with a brooding undercurrent of grief and discord, summoning the subtle nuances of Cook’s punk and heavy metal background.
Steven Bowers
A gifted songwriter, singer and an award-winning producer, Steven Bowers has three critically acclaimed solo recordings. A finalist in the 2008 International Songwriting Competition, Steven received Honorable Mention for his song "Bees In Jars", and was a previous semi-finalist for his song “The Boy Who Lost An Eye”, both from his latest CD Homing (2008). A masterful collection of eleven songs marked by heartbreak and longing, and ultimately a ray of redemption, Homing garnered Music Nova Scotia Award nominations for Folk Recording, Producer and Songwriter of the Year as well as a 2009 East Coast Music Award nomination for Folk Recording of the Year. Steven Bowers has co-written songs with legendary songwriter Ron Hynes, folk/country artist Dave Gunning, guitarist/producer Jamie Robinson and pianist/songwriter Kim Dunn and has clearly solidified his reputation as one of the region’s finest young songwriters.
The Grass Mountain Hobos
The Hobos are of another time—when pleasure usurped profession and live music provided the soundtrack for excess. The Hobos bring this period to life on stage. Their brand of music is authentic and complex, mixing equal parts carnival, farm, tavern and circus. Two acoustic guitars, a banjo, mandolin, doghouse bass and a fiddle create the unique backdrop over which the six vocalists paint malevolent yet harmonious works of art. Their music drives and swings while they stomp – and the crowd inevitably joins in. The band’s self-titled album won three 2009 PEI Music Awards and The 2009 East Coast Music Association's Bluegrass Album of the Year. A swing, bluegrass, blues, and folk infusion – The Grass Mountain Hobos give a carousing performance that is bound to entertain audiences.
The Hobos are: Josh Ellis - Lead Vocals, Guitar; Peter Cann – Guitar; Peter Webb – Banjo; Thomas Webb - Big Bass Bull Fiddle; Thomas Kirkham – Mandolin; Gordie MacKeeman – Fiddle
The Hupman Brothers
The Hupman Brothers are a Nova Scotia band with an original sound, played with superb musicianship. As brothers they play as if one, knowing where the music is heading and how to make it their own. Scott offers textured and percussive guitar and bass work and Ryan performs exciting and intricate guitar solos. The lead vocals are richly expressive and enhanced by clear and evocative back-up harmonies. The band’s first and self-titled CD (2007), was nominated by Music Nova Scotia for the Blues Album of the Year. The Hupman Brothers weave lyrics, melody and harmony into a seamless expression of the everyday love, hurt and wonder we all share. They will be joined on stage by Caleb Miles, Bob Federer, Ian Sherwood and Ariana Nasr.
The Novaks
Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, The Novaks formed in 2002. Some say they play old school rock and roll with new school sass. The band’s eponymous first album (2005) garnered them a 2006 ECMA Rising Star of the Year award. The song "No One Quite Like You" was featured as "The Coolest Song in The World" on Little Steven's Underground Garage. Little Steven released their debut album in the US on his Wicked Cool Records label in 2006. The band’s much anticipated follow up Things Fall Apart, was recorded in just over a week, live off the floor at The Sonic Temple in Halifax. The album features Ian McLagan of The Faces on keyboards.
Instrumentation: Mick Davis (vocals, guitar), Mark Neary (vocals, bass) and Elliot Dicks (drums).
The Stanfields
Meet The Stanfields, a maelstrom of rock and roll, bluegrass, celtic and blues. Hailing from the gritty post-industrial towns of Nova Scotia, The Stanfields play every show like it’s their collective last night on earth. Their kitchen party harmonies, thunderous rhythm section, high-octane stage show and genuine chemistry have won over audiences. Since forming in 2008, The Stanfields have wasted no time making their mark on the venerable Atlantic Canadian music scene. Voted “Best Band to get Trashed to in 2008” by readers of Halfax weekly The Coast and hailed as “The Clash meets Steve Earle” by Great Big Sea’s Sean McCann. The band released a self-titled EP this year, which captures their knuckle busting roots infused sound.
Thom Swift
With his well-travelled guitars, rich and soulful voice, insightful writing and casual wit, Thom Swift warms audiences everywhere he performs. Swift’s much-anticipated solo debut Into the Dirt has garnered accolades and awards. Drawing inspiration from finger-style master Mississippi John Hurt, the essential songwriting of Tom Waits and Emmy Lou Harris, the melodies of jazz great Charlie Haden, and his father’s operatic voice, Swift delivers a distinctive blend of folk, blues, country and rag style. Winner of the 2008 Canadian Maple Blues Award for New Artist of the Year, Winner of the 2008 East Coast Music Award (ECMA) for Blues Recording of the Year and Winner of a 2008 CBC Galaxy Rising Star Award. Swift is also a member of the 2007 Canadian Maple Blues Awardwinning and ECMA-winning group Hot Toddy Trio.
Umoja
"Umoja", meaning unity in Swahili, is fitting for this group of six drummers from New Glasgow, some of whom are siblings and all are lifelong friends. Ranging in age from 15 – 19, the group is made up of Muriko Izzard - lead drummer, Murtriko Izzard, Muresia Izzard and Brendan MacLean. All Umoja’s rythms are created by Muriko Izzard and Brendan MacLean. As Umoja performs, their shared dedication, friendship and unity is sure to spread through the crowd with the songs and beats of their African drums.
Wintersleep
“Miasmal Smoke + The Yellow Bellied Freaks” starts its marching build with echoing drums and an organ bleeding out a nervous buzz. Epic and lonely, it's the score for the flickering light of a glowing soul that closes the door to Wintersleep's third album, Welcome to the Night Sky. Like its final song, the album built up gradually over the past two years. From a mass of ghostly melodies, half-finished lyrics and nerve splicing drum beats, it has shaped into the band's finest collection to date. Following the release of their 2005 self-titled sophomore album, Wintersleep spent months on the road touring Canada, the US and Europe. Written following that tour, the album shows continuity with the band's previous work, but also marks a significant development. Each song in its own way points to the fact that sometimes looking too hard reveals things best left unseen. But still, hope grows beneath these sable clouds and distant stars, and a light that looms beyond them all. Until then, welcome to the night sky...
Working Class
Based in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Working Class, is a diverse group of musicians who can play almost anything thanks to a solid rhythm section combined with horns and three unique vocalists. Blues, R&B and the sounds of the Caribbean anchor their sound. The band dates back to the 1970’s and in 1997 that three of the original members regrouped, resulting in the released their first CD Is this Love (1999), a recording that demonstrates the bands flexibility with classic blues tracks alongside reggae, Ska and R&B. This was followed by Movin', in 2006. These guys love to play and on stage, it shows.
Instrumentation: Hugh Clarke - lead vocals and guitar, Jamie Sparks - bass and lead vocal, Phil Clark - sax and vocal, Hilton Reddick - lead guitar and back up vocals, Brian Steeves – drums, Michael Robinson – trombone, Aaron Bannerman – trumpet, Kenny Stewart - sound tech.