We Shine As One - A Tribute Song Dedicated to Blood Donors
A talented and diverse cast of artists including double Juno-award winner Liberty Silver, cross-over classical singer Giorgia Fumanti, Latin jazz singer Amanda Martinez, alt-rock singers Edwin and Mista D, 16-year-old jazz sensation Sophie Berkal-Sarbit, leading R&B hip hop vocalist Dru (In Essence), the cast of the hit musical We Will Rock You and the Renee Rowe Singers have joined together to record an inspirational song entitled We Shine as One to help raise awareness for the universal need for safe blood and blood products.
Written by Eric Mercury and Broadway sensation Brenda Russell (The Colour Purple), the song sends a thank you to blood donors around the world as Canada hosts World Blood Donor Day on June 14th, in Ottawa.
We Shine as One was commissioned by Canadian Blood Services and Héma Québec and inspired by volunteer blood donors, because each time a person donates blood, he or she can save the lives of up to three people. Mercury signed on long-time co-collaborator Thelonious Monk III to add drums to the track which also features Canadian jazz heavyweight Bill King on the organ, bassist Etric Lyons (Kush), and percussionist Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo (Hilario Duran).
Writer / producer Eric Mercury, is known worldwide for his musical expertise and celebrated collaborations with Roberta Flack, Stevie Wonder and countless other icons. "Working with artists who donated their time and talent, and raising our voices together to thank blood donors everywhere, has been a privilege. I hope our message of thanks and inspiration will speak to all who hear the song."
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Eric Mercury (writer, producer)
Spanning three decades, Mercury's musical career has ranged from composing and producing music for record labels and individual artists, to a solo career that includes over ten records. Mercury is best known for his ground breaking 1969 release Electric Black Man; performance on the soundtrack Between the Lines; producing T.S. Monk's recordings; and for co-writing and producing with Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack's and Donny Hathaway's biggest hit You are my Heaven. Artists who have recorded Mercury's work include Dionne Warwick, Dusty Springfield, Kenny Rankin, Luther Vandross, Chaka Khan and Peabo Bryson.
Eddie Bullen (co-producer, arranger, keyboards)
Juno award winning pianist, songwriter, arranger and producer Eddie Bullen is, in every way, a standout amongst the latest generation of multi-talented artists. Bullen's lengthy career has yielded an abundance of awards and recognition for his outstanding talents. From his first album, Nocturnal Affair to his most recent Desert Rain, Bullen gives his audience a taste of contemporary jazz, flavoured with Caribbean and Latin rhythms. Bullen is also a member of the improvisational Jazz/Electronica collective Kush lead by Etric Lyons and has received numerous award nominations (Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards, National Jazz Awards). An in-demand producer, he has worked with a host of artists including Liberty Silver, Demo Cates, Deborah Cox, Fefe Dobson, Marisa Lindsay and Glen Lewis. Bullen also composes and arranges for CityTv, YTV, CBC, and TMN the Movie Network.
Brenda Russell (writer)
Composer of the classics Get Here, If Only For One Night and the Grammy nominated Piano In The Dark, Brenda Russell's songwriting prowess received ovations in 2005 with the Tony Award-winning hit Broadway musical The Color Purple - a show for which she co-wrote the music and lyrics. Russell was nominated for a Grammy this year as composer and lyricist in the Best Musical Show Album category for the original cast album of The Colour Purple. Russell also produced a solo album, Between the Sun and the Moon, recorded in both the UK and the U.S. Russell's signature style has lead a variety of projects - she co-wrote the song Justice of the Heart with Stevie Wonder for the Denzel Washington movie John Q, which Wonder performed and co-composed with Brazilian artist Ivan Lins She Walks This Earth, which was recorded by Sting for the all-star tribute album Love Affair: The Music Of Ivan Lins. Sting's inspired performance of She Walks This Earth earned him a Grammy award in 2001 for Best Pop Male Vocal Performance. In 2002, singer Will Downing had a Top 20 Urban radio hit with one of her co-compositions, Don't You Talk To Me Like That. That same year, Solomon Burke's critically acclaimed and Grammy winning comeback album Don't Give Up On Me featured None of Us Are Free, co-written by Russell, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. The three were among an all-star lineup of songwriters on Burke's recording including Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Tom Waits and Brian Wilson. This song was also recorded as a duet by soul legend Sam Moore and Sting for Moore's highly praised 2006 album Overnight Sensational. Other superstar artists who have recorded Russell's songs include Babyface, Mary J. Blige, Michael McDonald, Bow Wow, Janet Jackson, Donna Summer, Luther Vandross and Diana Ross. Russell also scored How Stella Got Her Groove Back and performed two songs for director Barry Levinson's film Liberty Heights. Born to musical parents in Brooklyn, New York, Brenda spent her formative years both in Brooklyn and in Hamilton, Ontario. She received her first piano while singing as a teenager in the Canadian company of the rock musical Hair in Toronto.
VOCAL PERFORMANCES
Sophie Berkal-Sarbit (vocals)
At 16 years old, Sophie Berkal-Sarbit resides in Winnipeg where she was born and raised. She inherited the musical gene in her family from her grandfather, Rabbi Louis Berkal - one of Canada's most respected Rabbi's. Her debut album Gypsy In My Soul which was produced and arranged by Bill King launched this April with two Toronto performances. Berkel-Sarbit has worked with Bill King as part of his Real Diva Series, performing at the Jazz FM's Valentine's Day Showcase and The Downtown Toronto Jazz and Beaches Jazz Festivals. Berkal-Sarbit has performed at numerous events and venues including the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, Lyric Theatre: Music & Mavens series and Madison Square Garden. In 2003, Berkal-Sarbit was awarded Top Vocalist Honors at the New York International Music Festival in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and in New York City. With a vocal maturity beyond her years, Berkal-Sarbit delivered an incredible vocal performance at the National Jazz Awards this year. She is one of the youngest performers to have graced the National Jazz Awards stage.
Mista D (vocals)
For almost ten years, Mista D has been the lead singer and frontman of the Toronto punk rock band The Salads. Currently signed to Maui Wowie Records, a sub-division of Warner Music Canada, Mista D turned this band into the powerhouse that it is today. The core band has been playing together since grade school and released an EP, Who's That? in 2001, and a full-length album, Fold A to B, in 2003. The commercial success of Fold A to B gave The Salads an opportunity to headline clubs and festivals and to perform at events including Warped, Edgefest and City-Tv's New Years Eve Bash. Their songs Get Loose and Today is Your Lucky Day are featured in the movie Eurotrip (DreamWorks Pictures), Queer as Folk, Hockey Night in Canada and Labatt Blue and General Motors commercials. In January 2006, the band released their third album, The Big Picture to critical acclaim.
Anslem Douglas (vocals)
Anslem Douglas is a Trinidad and Tobago musician and composer who started his professional career in 1991 when he was invited by arranger Kenny Phillips to sing for his compilation. Following his success with Kenny Phillips, Douglas was asked to participate in another compilation, this time by the Barbadian group, Spice and Company. Between 1991 and 1992 he obtained a recording contract with Kisskidee, joined Atlantik and also produced a solo album which included the song Good Music to Dance. In 1992, Douglas was named the Most Promising Calypsonian by both the NCC and Young Kings for the song Our Children, a social commentary calypso. In 1993, having left Atlantik, Rock Back On It and Dance Like A Soldier brought him success as a solo artist. Bigger success came his way in 1994 with his Ragga Poom Poom/Wine Down combination. In 1995 he created the hit song Mash Up The Party. Douglas released When I Dead Bury My Clothes in 1997 and towards the latter part of 1997 joined the band, Horyzon. Today, this veteran soca star continues to write, perform and record his music.
Dru (vocals)
Dru is the lead singer and producer of vocals for the Juno award winning group In Essence. The group's debut single You'll Never Find was a phenomenal hit in the U.S, and propelled Funkmaster Flex's Mix Tape Vol. 4 to gold status while flooding the U.S radio airwaves and clubs. The hit record proved the band could break into the notoriously tough U.S. market and led to opening slots with Usher, 112, Mase, Lost Boyz and Cam'ron. In Essence's remake of Sam Cooke's Change Will Come was featured on the Peace Songs compilation (BMG/Sony) dedicated to war-affected children, along with songs by David Bowie, Paul McCartney and Moby. Most recently, Dru set out on a solo career as a vocalist, songwriter and vocal producer and has developed a sound that combines the smooth lyrics of R&B with a street edge. Dru's solo debut album will be released on July 4th, 2007.
Edwin (vocals)
Edwin is a Canadian alternative rock singer from Toronto, and former lead vocalist for I Mother Earth. He enjoyed multi-platinum success from the band's first two albums, and was on the majority of the songs on Victor, a 1996 side project from Alex Lifeson of Rush. Edwin went solo in late 1997, and released his first solo album in 1999: Another Spin Around the Sun. Initial singles Trippin' and Hang Ten focused on rock radio and became hits in that format; while the fourth single Alive changed the album's direction. The song cracked the mainstream Top 40 in Canada, accompanied the highlights of the closing Olympic ceremony on CBC Television and became a staple on pop radio. The music video for Alive won a Juno award in 2001 for Best Video and People's Choice Award at MuchMusic's MMVAs. The album went platinum in Canada, was nominated for a Juno in 2000 for Best Rock Album, and was released in the U.S. that year. Edwin's second solo album Edwin & the Pressure which was released in the summer of 2002, contained the catchy pop-rock of the previous album, but with a harder edge both musically and lyrically. Edwin's latest album Better Days was released in October 2006 and showcases his development as a songwriter. Better Days includes noteworthy names from the rock world including Ian Thornley, Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, and Rush's Alex Lifeson.
Giorgia Fumanti (vocals)
Though she sings with a purity and grace few can match, Giorgia Fumanti remains one surprisingly modest vocalist. The Italian-born soprano has already won fans across Europe, Asia and North America with her live performances, but she still insists her talent is only a gift, one she eagerly gives away at every opportunity. Fumanti will have another chance to do so with the upcoming release of her new international debut CD, From My Heart. Produced by Craig Leon, and recorded at London's Abbey Road Studios as well as Wisseloord Studios in Holland, From My Heart will surely vault Fumanti to global prominence. Along the way, she can expect comparisons to artists like Enya and Andrea Bocelli because she, too, deftly straddles the line between pop and classical. But from the start, Giorgia Fumanti sought to put a uniquely personal stamp on her music. She recorded four Morricone classics for the new CD, including themes from The Mission, Cinema Paradiso, and Once Upon a Time in the West and translated the lyrics of Sting's Fields of Gold for her stunning acoustic-flavored rendition of Campi d'Oro. Fumanti is presently on tour with one the world's most respected and greatest tenors, José Carreras.
Amanda Martinez (vocals)
Amanda's debut album Sola draws you in with her sensuous, soulful voice accompanied by soothing guitar under a gentle pulse of percussion. The collection of her original and traditional songs feature beautiful lyrics sung in Spanish, English and Portuguese. Traveling to Mexico and Cuba gave her a feel for the jazz, Latino and Afro Cuban music scene in which she has been performing since 2001. Martinez credits Mexican Lila Downs and Canadian Lhasa de Sela, as inspiring her to pay tribute to her roots by introducing the traditional folkloric elements to her album. Having been immersed in the melodies of Latin jazz giants, Amanda's own stylized mixes of bossa-infused Afro Cuban rhythms, Mexican folk and jazz leave Latin music lovers enthralled, amused and blissfully mesmerized. Supporting Toronto's music scene has been very important to Amanda. She is a vital force for the Latin music community, promoting both local and international artists through her weekly radio show Café Latino on JAZZFM91 that she hosts and produces. Martinez has performed in duo to octet formations at festivals such as the TD Canada Trust Jazz Festival, the Distillery Jazz Festival, and Harbourfront's Ritmo y Color Festival.
Renee Rowe Singers (choir director Renee Rowe)
Born and raised in Toronto, Renee Rowe's upbringing was filled with music. Her father was a church choir director and both of her sisters sing professionally. Rowe began performing professionally at age 13 as a member of Toronto's renowned Renaissance choir. Over time, Renee honed her singing and writing skills and became a member of the internationally acclaimed Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale in 1995. Rowe's performance history includes appearances at the Oscar Peterson Arts Person of the Year award show, the World Tournament of Basketball, CBC 740am Annual Metropolitan Christmas Show, the Salome Bay and Friends Christmas Special, the International Special Olympics and the Toronto Downtown Jazz Festival. Rowe also appeared in the blockbuster film, Blues Brothers 2000. Under the direction of John Landis, Rowe not only performed in the film, but also participated in the recording of the Grammy award nominated certified gold (US), soundtrack with Aretha Franklin, Erykah Badu, James Brown, Sam Moore, Taj Mahal, Isaac Hayes, Steve Winwood and Eric Clapton. Rowe also garnered a Grammy nomination, along with Van Morrison, Sharon Riley and Faith Chorale for best pop collaborations for vocals, as well as winning a Grammy award for best traditional folk album. Rowe presently directs and performs with the Renee Rowe Singers; a talented group of vocalists whose intricate harmonies married with thick, lush vocals define this group's performance.
Liberty Silver (vocals)
Liberty Silver is a gifted vocalist, blessed with a six and a half octave range. She began her career as a backup singer and quickly became prominent in the Toronto club scene, broadening her repertoire to include R&B, reggae, jazz and pop. A double Juno award winner, Silver has also garnered five Black Music Awards, three Rock Express awards, the Harry Jerome Black Achievement Award, and the 1993 Jazz Report Female Vocalist of the Year Award. She was also recently nominated in two categories at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards. Other achievements include performing on the Tears are not Enough recording for Ethiopian famine relief, participating on the writing team that produced Canada's song for the summer Olympics and has shared a stage with B.B. King, The Temptations, Harry Belafonte, Maya Angelou, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Natalie Cole, Jeffery Osborne, J.T. Taylor, Gladys Knight, Cameo, SOS Band, and Oscar Peterson amongst others. At Last, her most recent release, recorded in collaboration with Eddie Bullen delivers a smooth jazz flow, coupled with conscious lyrical energy. Silver delivers outstanding and mesmerizing vocals, coupled with vibrant stage presence and divine energy.
"We Will Rock You" Cast (vocals)
Set 300 years in the future, in a time when live music is banned on earth, We Will Rock You is about kids who are in rebellion, fighting against the all-powerful Globalsoft Corporation that controls their lives and feeds them a diet of synthesized pop. Produced by David and Ed Mirvish and The Kimsa Group, in association with Queen Theatrical Productions, Phil McIntyre Entertainment and Tribeca Theatrical Productions, the show reflects the scale and spectacle that marked Queen's live performances and earned the band its pinnacle position in rock history. The all-Canadian cast features Yvan Pedneault as Galileo, Erica Peck as Scaramouche, Alana Bridgewater (Menopause Outloud) as the Killer Queen, Evan Buliung (The Lord Of The Rings) as Khashoggi, Jack Langedijk (Kiss of The Spider Woman, A Streetcar Named Desire) as Pop, Sterling Jarvis (Disney's The Lion King) as Badass Britney and Suzie McNeil (who was the last woman standing on Rockstar: INXS) as Oz. The cast members come together on stage at the Canon Theatre in Toronto for the 2007 run of Ben Elton's hit musical.
INSTRUMENTATION
Bill King (keyboards)
Originally from Jeffersonville, Indiana, the multi-talented musician and publisher Bill King spent his youth studying with W.C. Handy's former pianist Eva Smith and Indiana University saxophonist Jamey Aebersold. His recording credits include Saturday Nite Fish-Fry-Rhythm & Soul, the award winning Rockit 88 Band, Too Much Fun, and East Side Symphony. By the early 1960s, he had won sixteen first place awards in classical piano and clarinet competitions. Soon after, he worked with a host of legendary artists including The Pointer Sisters, Janis Joplin, Martha Reeves and Linda Ronstadt. A major player in the Canadian jazz scene, King currently publishes the Jazz Report Magazine, edits ejazznews.com, is the artistic director for the Beaches International Jazz Festival, executive director of the National Jazz Awards and hosts Jazz Preview, heard on Jazz.FM91.1 Sunday nights.
Etric Lyons (bass)
Lyons has worked with Remy Shand, Jesse Cook, Esthero, The Eddie Bullen Project, David Deacon and the Word, Colin James, David Wilcox and Molly Johnson among others. His band, Kush best described as a 'unique musical experience' combines traditional horns, percussion and bass fused with loops as well as samples and keyboards - all of which makes for a one-of-a-kind performance. Contributing to the band's uniqueness is the fact that nothing is rehearsed but is instead an eventful display of intense communication between artists - moment by moment in real time. Lyons' musical ideas have also been profoundly shaped by his other artistic passion, photography which is evidenced by the sweeping abstract vision expressed by Kush.
Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo (percussion)
Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo was born and raised in Cuba and earned his degree in percussion at the National Art School of Havana. Some of his fellow alumni include Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez and Gonsalo Rubalcaba. As a professional musician, Joaquin enjoyed a successful music career in Cuba, performing at a host of music events and festivals and sharing the stage with some of Cuba's most elite musicians including Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintana, Emiliano Salvador, Miguel Anga and Juan Pablo Torres. After settling in Canada in 1999, Hidalgo quickly became emerged in the music scene by performing with various artists at both international and local music festivals. As a master Afro-Cuban percussionist, Hidalgo also brings his vast experience to the classroom by participating in workshops and has worked closely with renowned clinicians Giovanni Hidalgo, Nii Tettey Tetteh, Rick Lazar, Njacko Backo and Hilario Duran. Currently, Hidalgo is the leader and director of the Afro-Cuban percussion ensemble Havana Rumba and the traditional Cuban music trio Cubanos.
Thelonious Monk III (drums)
Thelonious Monk is a drummer, bandleader, composer, and vocalist who joined his father's trio and toured with his dad until the elder Monk's retirement in 1975. Monk received the New York Jazz Awards' First Annual Recording of the Year and Downbeat's' prestigious 63rd Reader's Poll Award for Monk On Monk, the 80th Anniversary Birthday Tribute to Thelonious Sphere Monk featuring twenty guest artists including Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Arturo Sandoval, Dianne Reeves, Nnenna Freelon and Howard Johnson. Shortly after his father passed on leaving a rich and legendary legacy, Monk turned his attention toward forming the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. The Institute's activities reach from Boston to Los Angeles sponsoring music education for students in the form of full scholarships, funding and supplies. On ABC, jazz returned to network television after a twenty-five year absence, where under the guidance of Monk, an historic assemblage of artists gathered for A Celebration of America's Music hosted by Bill Cosby and featured Natalie Cole, Jon Secada, Tony Bennett and K.D. Lang. Monk performed his father's signature tune, Round Midnight, with Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, Nnenna Freelon, Al Jarreau, Dave Brubeck and Aretha Franklin.
Elliot Randall (guitar)
Elliott Randall's illustrious career has encompassed a wide and varied cross-section of world musical forms. These include: record production, composition, electronic research and development, lectures and teaching, and a legendary contribution to popular guitar performance and recording. His guitar solos on Steely Dan's Reelin' in the Years and Fame (the motion picture) have entered rock history annals.
Elliott has recorded and performed with artists as diverse as The Doobie Brothers, Carly Simon, Seatrain, The Blues Brothers, Carl Wilson, Peter Wolf, Peter Frampton, James Galway, Richie Havens, The Rochester Philharmonic and The American Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Randall is a favourite of esteemed songwriters Jimmy Webb, George David Weiss and Don Covay. Other credits include being a music consultant for NBC's Saturday Night Live and for Oliver Stone and collaborating with producers Gary Katz, David Kershenbaum, Steve Lillywhite, Eddie Kramer and Jerry Wexler. Legendary Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page has said that Randall's solo on Reelin' in the Years is his favorite guitar solo of all-time, which also ranked as the 40th best guitar solo ever by the readers of Guitar World magazine. In addition to artistic projects, Elliott has also played, produced and composed jingles for television, radio and cinema, for clients including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Miller Beer, Budweiser, Cadillac, Ford, McDonalds, Burger King, Wendy's, CitiBank, General Mills, Nabisco, Proctor & Gamble and MTV among others.
Braiden Turner
Braiden Turner is an 18-year old musical dynamo from Ottawa who began playing the piano when she was six years old. Today she has added songwriting and vocals to her repertoire. This year Braiden joined forces with Breanne Lawrenson to write songs for Brea's new CD No Regrets. One of their songs, Black and Purple has become the theme song for the Canadian Red Cross' RespectED anti-bullying campaign. National radio and TV PSAs will air later this summer.
Brea(nne) Lawrenson
Brea Lawrenson is also a multi-talented Ottawa teen who blends country music with rock and roll. She began singing when she was eleven and has recently released a new CD No Regrets. Brea's vocals and unique writing style have attracted a loyal following of fans. Brea and Braiden Turner are also spokespeople for the Candian Red Cross' RespectED anti-bullying campaign.