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2021 Halifax Jazz Festival Accepting Artist Submissions
The 2021 Halifax Jazz Festival is now accepting artist submissions , which is scheduled for July 13-18 . Through multiple stages and programming streams , the HJF supports and amplifies East Coast musical talent , placing local artists alongside internationally-acclaimed acts .
“ I am delighted to be thinking about warm weather and great music filling the air in Halifax once again . Although these are turbulent times with an ever-changing situation , I know we will be able to present a program that is going to be new and exciting . I encourage everyone interested in performing to apply , as we want to showcase diverse and wonderful talent from all walks of life ,” says Andrew Jackson , senior program manager at HJF .
HJF 2021 encourages artists to apply for free through the online form . Artist submissions will be open until Jan . 8 , 2021 . It ’ s no longer accepting mailed CDs or promo packages . Like all events during this time , HJF 2021 dates and format are subject to change according what the pandemic conditions allow .
For more information , go to www . halifaxjazzfestival . ca .
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DJ VEKKED AT THE DMC CHAMPIONSHIPS
Canadian DJs Competing in 2020 Online-Only DMC World DJ Championships
The DMC World DJ Championships , which has happened annually since 1985 , has shifted to a fully-online format via video submission because of the COVID-19 pandemic . Here in Canada , under normal circumstances , DMC Canada would have a number of DJ battles across the country with DJs competing to advance to the National Championships in hopes of progressing to the DMC World Championships . Instead , Canadian DJs submitted videos of their best four-minute set in the style of turntablism . After the judges tabulated their scores , the results were announced on Oct . 27 th and the winners were : 1 ) DJ All Good ( Nanaimo , BC ); 2 ) ILL Table Manners ( St . Catharines , ON ); and 3 ) DJ Roach ( Edmonton , AB ).
Following his win , DJ All Good submitted a two-minute prelim set for the 2020 Technics DMC World DJ Championships . It will culminate on Nov . 25 , 2020 , when the new DMC World Champion will be announced .
DMC Canada will also be facilitating two additional categories following the DMC World DJ Championships . These include the Canadian National DMC Scratch Battle and the Supremacy Category , which features a head-to-head knockout-style bracket .
Canada has produced three DMC World Champions , including DJ A-Trak ( 1997 ), DJ Dopey ( 2003 ), and DJ Vekked ( 2015 ). In 2016 , Montreal ’ s DJ Brace captured the DMC World Online Championship . For more information , go to www . dmcdjchamps . com .
Brett Kissel , Dallas Smith & Tenille Townes Each Earn 3 CCMA Awards On Sept . 27 th , the Canadian Country Music Association ( CCMA ) presented its annual awards during a national broadcast on Global TV and streaming platforms . The awards show was filmed earlier in the summer in two locations in Ontario and Nashville .
Vancouver ’ s Dallas Smith took home the coveted TD Entertainer of the Year award for the second consecutive year . Smith was also received awards for Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year and Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year . Alberta ’ s Brett Kissel landed wins in the Male Artist and Album of the Year categories , and for the second year was chosen as the Fans ’ Choice Award winner . Tenille Townes accepted awards in the Female Artist , Songwriter , and Video of the Year categories .
For a full list of winners and more , go to www . ccma . org .
Honey Jam Celebrates 25 th Anniversary with Special Livestreamed Concert
Honey Jam – the Toronto-based non-profit organization and artist development program fostering young female artists – celebrated a milestone year in 2020 . It has been 25 years since its founder , Ebonnie Rowe , first welcomed emerging artists for the first Honey Jam concert . Today , the organization is a renowned platform known for enriching the careers of notable alumni including , Nelly Furtado , Jully Black , Melanie Fiona , SATE , Melanie Durrant , Michie Mee , LUKALA , Haviah Mighty , Jordan Alexander , and many more . To mark this special time , Honey Jam staged a virtual concert experience on Oct . 1 st that was livestreamed from iconic Toronto venue , The El Mocambo .
“ If I gave up every time I was faced with a challenge we would never be celebrating this milestone – we wouldn ’ t have even made it one year , far less 25 ! Getting here is a really big deal so I was determined that we would have a show somehow , some way and we ’ re all super excited to be together in person at the legendary El Mocambo . Their slogan ‘ Keeping Live Alive !’ really resonated . A Zoom version of Honey Jam is just not the same !” says Rowe .
The concert celebrated strong women in music with artists paying tribute with covers of iconic songs made popular by female artists in many different genres , including jazz , hip-hop , pop , country , dancehall , soul , rock , and gospel .
For more information , go to www . honeyjam . com .
BRETT KISSEL DURING CCMA AWARDS FILMING
PHOTO : MICHAEL HOMER
16 CANADIAN MUSICIAN