May 2005

Kenny Aronoff At Ottawa Drum Clinic

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, rock drummer, Kenny Aronoff, will present an all-ages drum clinic with Steve’s Music and the Ottawa Bluesfest.

The clinic will be at the Capital Music Hall, 200 Rideau St., Ottawa, ON. The drum promotion will help to raise funds for the Cisco Systems Bluesfest Blues in the Schools program.

Aronoff has worked with many musicians including the Rolling Stones, the Smashing Pumpkins, Alanis Morissette, Bob Seger, Melissa Etheridge, Jon Bon Jovi, Bob Dylan, Rod Stewart, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Bonnie Raitt, John Fogerty, Joe Cocker, Avril Lavigne, Alice Cooper, Jewel and Meat Loaf. He recorded 10 studio albums and played live with John Mellencamp for over 17 years. He was also named the number one pop/rock drummer and the number one studio drummer for five years in a row by readers of Modern Drummer Magazine and played on over 30 Grammy-nominated recordings.

Tickets are $10 each and are available ahead of time at Steve’s Music Store, 308 Rideau St., Toronto, or at the door.

Domenic Troiano Passes Away

Domenic Troiano, the famed Toronto-based guitarist, passed away peacefully at home on May 25, 2005 after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Troiano was a songwriter, performer and producer who also found time to score for both television and movie productions. Born in 1946 in Modugno, Italy, he first learned to play guitar at the age of 15 after moving to Toronto. He became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 1955.

He began his musical career replacing Robbie Robertson (one of his earliest influences) in Ronnie Hawkins’ band. Later, Troiano would join various bands including Mandala, the James Gang (replacing Joe Walsh) before starting his own band releasing his first solo record in 1972. By the mid-’70s he replaced a departing Randy Bachman in the Guess Who. After that and band disbanded, Troiano began to explore new musical territories in jazz and funk which would be more apparent on his later solo releases in the ’70s. His most recent musical endeavours included composing music for film and television projects while still making guest appearance as a session player for other artists. He has played with many non-Canadian acts that include blues legend Etta James, Joe Cocker and Diana Ross.

Domenic’s family gave him strength, support and love during his lengthy illness. He is survived by his mother, Pasqua Troiano; brother, Frank; sister, Gina; sister-in-law, Rita; nephews, Marcus and Julian; uncles Joe and Basilio; aunts, Nicoletta, Francesca, Marguerite and Grace; many cousins and former wife Shawne Jackson.

Donations can be made to The Domenic Troiano Guitar Scholarship (c/o Metronome Canada Foundation, 118 Sherbourne St., Toronto, ON M5A 2R2 416-367-0162). For more information visit www.domenictroiano.com.

A tribute is planned for Troiano at next month’s jazz awards in Toronto.

Humber Songwriting Summer Workshop

Featuring Ed Robertson (Barenaked Ladies), Damhnait Doyle (Shaye), Stan Meissner, Andy Kim and Hayden Neale (Jacksoul), Humber's School of Creative and Performing Arts recently announced The Humber Songwriting Summer Workshop.

The workshop is schedule to run from July 23-29, 2005, and costs $675 with an additional residency option of CAN$305.76 for seven nights including breakfast.

The intensive weeklong program is offered through the School of Creative and Performing Arts, Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, in Toronto. It is a learning adventure in songwriting, and is open to all songwriters of any level. From beginners to those with years of experience, there's something for everybody.
Artistic Director of the Humber Songwriting Summer Workshop, Rik Emmett said, "Humber's School of Creative and Performing Arts has a reputation as a place that supports and nourishes the creative spirit.

With the songwriting workshop, we reaffirm Humber's leading reputation by providing Canada's established and emerging songwriters with the tools they need to discover their talent and develop their craft."

The workshop features morning, afternoon and evening sessions on various topics including: information on publishing; digital technology and songwriting; applying songwriting skills to soundtrack or scoring work; opportunity to perform at song circles and jam nights; informal trips to some of Toronto's club and a publisher's summit featuring reps from EMI, SONY, BMG, Universal Music, and Peer Music.

There is also an opportunity to win a demo day with Haydain Neale (Jacksoul) at Megawatt Studios.

For more information contact, (416) 675-6622 ext.3427, [email protected].

Searching For Rockstars

Currently, Canada is searching for the ultimate band. With the rockstar search spanning the country, it is Canada's largest search.

Unsigned artists and bands, both male and female, will have a chance to show off their musical abilities in front of celebrity judges, top industry personnel, guests stars, and National Press. Open to all formats of Rock, Pop-Rock, Urban to Heavy Rock, it is time to showcase the inner rockstar.

The winner of the competition will win the grand prize which includes, at least $10,000, studio time at Metalworks, a single promoted to radio from coast to coast, publicity, a record deal, distribution, a tour and much more.

To enter register at www.sonicbids.com/rockstars and submit online or by mail. Submit one or more songs to the contest, and you could walk away a winner. The contest closes August 31st, 2005.

The top bands and artists will compete in front of a live audience for the grand prize. Admission to all the shows will be free. The show will kick off during September 2005 frosh week, with live shows at many popular venues across Canada including: Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Regina, London, Halifax, and back to Toronto for the final live battle of the bands.

For more information visit, www.rockstarsearch.com.

54·40 Signs With True North Records

54·40 recently signed with True North Records, Canada's longest running independent music label. The new full-length album Yes To Everything is 54·40's 11th full-length studio recording.

Both produced and mixed by Warne Livesey at Bryan Adam's The Warehouse Studio and 54·40's studio The Smilin' Buddha Enjoyment Complex in Vancouver. Warne Livesey is known for his work with artists like The The, Midnight Oil, and Matthew Good.

In addition to the release of their new album, 54·40 announced that guitarist Dave Genn is now officially a permanent member of the group. Phil Comparelli, longtime band-mate and good friend, passed the axe to Dave and gave his blessing.

Dave Genn is best known for his years spent with the Matthew Good Band. From 1995 to 2001 he played guitar, keyboards, and co-wrote many of the Matthew Good Band's hit songs. His resume reads as long as his guitar.

Genn's first Juno award was received for playing/co-writing with punk legend Art Bergmann for 'What Fresh Hell is This?'. Genn has been playing live shows with 54·40 for two years and played guitar and co-wrote on the new release.

54·40 has penned such international classic as "I Go Blind," "Ocean Pearl" and "Baby Ran." The band is comprised of Neil Osborne, Dave Genn, Matt Johnson, and Brad Merritt.

For more information visit, www.5440.com or www.truenorthrecords.com.

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