Canadian Musician Newsletter
December 2011

Canadian Musician welcomed close to 250 attendees to Toronto’s OISE Auditorium on Sunday, December 4, 2011 for an exclusive presentation by world-renowned Live Music Producer Tom Jackson.

The workshop was divided into two sessions, each comprised of Jackson coaching artists onstage, helping to enhance their performance and presence. In the morning, Jackson worked with country-tinged singer/songwriter Livy Jeanne and her band while the afternoon saw Jackson critiquing and helping out Toronto ska/alternative band Cardinal Chase.

“I had an awesome time in Toronto,” says Jackson looking back on the event. “I love working with Canadian artists – there are a lot of talented people in Canada. It was a pleasant surprise to see so many industry people and major artists coming out to learn how to be better onstage. And of course, I always love helping indies develop their careers. Being great onstage is such a crucial part of any artist’s career – indie or major!”

Jackson is looking forward to returning to Canada for Canadian Music Week in March 2012. For more on the event and Tom Jackson, including products and services, visit canadianmusician.com/tomjackson.

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has announced a new category to the JUNO Awards roster in 2012: Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year. The category will honour artistic achievement, technical proficiency, and overall excellence in metal and its sub-genres.

The 41st annual JUNO Awards will be held April 1, 2012 in Ottawa. Submissions for the 2012 JUNO Awards are currently open.

For more information, contact CARAS: 416-485-3135, FAX 416-485-4978, , www.carasonline.ca.

Musicians looking for an affordable benefits package including drug, health, and dental care coverage can now apply for The Arts & Entertainment Plan, available through the ACTRA Fraternal Benefit Society.

The plan, which is being offered exclusively to artists, provides a package including drug, health, and dental coverage. There is no medical required to join and premiums may be paid annually or monthly. Additional features of the plan include: coverage for eligible dependants; premium costs guaranteed for 12 months from the effective date of coverage; a Claim Card with an AFBS member account number; and insurance coverage that increases in years two and three.

For more information, visit: www.artsandentertainmentplan.com.

Casio has unveiled its LK-165 lighted keyboard, featuring the company’s proprietary Step-Up Lesson System, allowing novice users to learn 110 built-in songs phase-by-phase at their own individual pace.

The LK-165 boasts a 61-key piano-style keyboard and features a class-compliant USB MIDI port, allowing the keyboard to be utilized with music education and composition software. An audio input is also included, which transforms the keyboard into a stereo speaker system for a MP3 Player. Other key features include 400 built-in tones, 10 reverb types, a 10-second sampler, and 150 rhythms and accompaniments.

Utilizing the LCD display, students can learn both music notation and correct hand positioning while Casio’s interactive Step-Up Lesson System evaluates performance, allowing users to track their progress and incremental success in order to improve their skills.

For more information, contact Efkay Music Instruments Ltd.: 514-633-8877, FAX 514-633-8872, , www.efkaymusic.com.

In recognition of a 10 year partnership, Sonor Drums Canada and Sonor GmbH are offering an exclusive snare drum to the Canadian market: the Pure Canadian snare drum. The Pure Canadian features a 13-ply heavy Canadian maple shell, available in two sizes: 14″ x 6″ and 13″ x 6″.

The 14″ model comes standard with die-cast hoops while the 13″ model ships with Sonor’s steel power hoops. The steel action strainer system allows for fine-tuning of the 2 x 8 stainless steel soundwires. Both drums are finished in high-gloss transparent black stain.

Additionally, the drum ships with the Pure Canadian badge on its front, while on the opposite side is space for a personalized brass badge featuring the owner’s signature, supplied by Sonor after purchase.

For more information, contact Coast Music: 514-457-2555, FAX 514-457-0055, , www.coastmusic.ca.

Canadian Musician magazine has launched a new section called Gear Heads. Every issue we’ll profile one of our reader’s most cherished, unique, or just plain interesting pieces of music gear in their collection.

It could be that family heirloom guitar passed down through generations, the snare drum from your first kit that’s still your number one, the mic that’s traveled with you all across the country, or the modded-out compressor that completes your rack. Whatever it is, if it has a story, we want to hear it.

Fill out the form at canadianmusician.com/gearheads and upload a high-res photo of you and your gear. We’ll take care of the rest.