Vocals

A classically trained vocal veteran, Grammy-nominated musical artist Bilal released his debut album "1st Born". His second release in 2001, boasted the popular single “Soul Sista.” The follow-up, Love for Sale (2006), was shelved but leaked entirely online yet was well received to fans and music critics and has become an underground classic. In the following years, Bilal has collaborated and performed with some of the industry’s most prominent artists including, Beyonce, Common, Jay-Z, Erykah Badu, Robert Glasper, Boney James, Musiq and The Roots among others.

It has not taken Esperanza Spalding long to emerge as one of the brightest lights in the musical world. Listeners familiar with her stunning 2008 Heads Up International debut, Esperanza, and her best-selling 2010 release Chamber Music Society, were well aware that the young bassist, vocalist and composer from Portland, Oregon was the real deal, with a unique and style-spanning presence, deeply rooted in jazz yet destined to make her mark far beyond the jazz realm.

Concerts

Esperanza Spalding Radio Music Society

Thu Jun 28 8:00pm

Mainstage Concerts

Buy Ticket: Ticketmaster

$42.50 includes HST

Toronto Star Stage at Nathan Phillips Square

DORA award-winning, twice JUNO-nominated world/fusion vocalist Suba Sankaran has effortlessly combined musical worlds, performing across North America, Europe and Asia with Autorickshaw, Trichy Sankaran, FreePlay Duo (with Dylan Bell) and Retrocity (80s a cappella revue), to name a few. Performance highlights include performing for Peter Gabriel, Nelson Mandela and Bishop Tutu.

Suba is in demand as a choral director, arranger, educator and composer. She has composed and produced music for theatre, film, radio and dance. Highlights include collaborations with Deepa Mehta and the CBC.

With his shaved head, the tall husky, Yoba made a strong impression as J.C. Williams, the caring, level-headed cop who puts duty before his private life in "New York Undercover" (Fox, 1994-98). Yoba began his career as a member of CityKids, an organization that fosters cultural pluralism and youth empowerment. He made his singing debut with the group at Carnegie Hall in 1991 and the following year he composed the theme and additional songs for an ABC Saturday morning series called "CityKids", produced by Henson Productions.

Singer/songwriter’s are usually well respected for their finely crafted songs and lyrical poetry, yet many times they are plain hard to understand and relate to. Enter Andrea Ramolo, the Toronto based indie artist, who is currently on a 90+ show tour which will take her and bandmate Jason Skiendziel all across Canada. Her musical path is one of relentless touring that helps her see the great outdoors and experience life to the fullest. I had a chance to chat with her after the tour’s kickoff show in Toronto at the Bread and Circus. It was interesting to say the least.

I'm a Toronto native, now living in beautiful Guelph, ON with my family. I studied music at St. Michael's Choir School and York University, from which I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music. I've been a professional musician for over 20 years now - and counting. I'm primarily considered a pianist, though I play numerous instruments including bass, guitar and drums. I'm also a radio and TV broadcaster - I currently work with CBC Radio 2 as a host and Associate Producer on Canada Live - the national live concerts showcase.

Brian Blain, born in rural Quebec and active in the music scene for forty years, possesses a “northern” style that gives him a cool edge that just can’t be found in any other artist. His easy blend of folk and blues is a running commentary on life as he sees it. He combines his sardonic wit with his soulful guitar skills and crafts it into a unique musical perspective. But, is it jazz?