Angelo Spinazzola

SYDNEY — If Angelo Spinazzola were to pick up a win in the children’s recording of the year category during East Coast Music Awards Week, he’ll be sharing it with First Nations students from across the island.

The Cape Breton singer-songwriter is nominated for an ECMA for “First Nations Songwriting Sessions with Angelo Spinazzola,” which is the result of a school program that began simply but has grown significantly in recent years.

During regular music and songwriting workshops at schools in Waycobah, Eskasoni, Membertou and Chapel Island, Spinazzola works with elementary students, performing and talking about his own music, playing some tunes he’s developed with other students, and eventually brainstorming with them about ideas for a new song.

“I take that and then I go home with it and I develop a theme. I go back the next week and I have a theme and then we start writing and I teach them a chorus, a bridge and verses, and I teach them a little bit about songwriting. Throughout this whole process I also teach them a bit of singing,” he said.

Spinazzola eventually decided to compile the best of four years worth of work with students into a CD.

“That compilation turned out to be the ‘First Nations Songwriting Sessions,’ which is a full-length CD with First Nations schools on Cape Breton Island,” he said. “They are all up for an East Coast Music Award. It’s a big deal.”

Spinazzola said that the concept of songwriting sessions for students is spreading, noting he’s now involved in a local anti-substance abuse campaign called the Red Road Project, and has received inquiries from other parts of the country about his program.

“This thing is branching out. I just got a call from Iqaluit asking if I wanted to come up and do a week songwriting session here with the youth,” he said.

In addition to the children’s recording nomination, Spinazzola is also heading into this week’s East Coast Music Awards in Moncton, N.B., with a shot at another award, in the roots/traditional solo recording of the year category for his latest solo album “Beautifully Imperfect.”

“I was pretty overjoyed. I had a nomination for two different categories, for two different albums, which really, really, really excited me,” he said. “This is 25-26 years of doing this and I’ve been nominated before and I’ve been on the show and I’ve done the showcases but it’s really nice to be recognized by the industry.”

Spinazzola said the musical community in Atlantic Canada has been “extremely warm and accepting” and an important support system for him throughout his career. Now, he said, he tries to offer similar support to the region’s next generation of musicians.

“I want to nurture what has been nurtured in me by my peers. I am definitely all about helping the younger people and basically giving back what’s been given to me.”

Spinazzola said he’s looking forward to performing, attending workshops, and getting together with friends at this year’s ECMAs, which begin Wednesday and conclude with Sunday night’s gala awards show.

For more information on Spinazzola and for a free download of “First Nations Songwriting Sessions with Angelo Spinazzola” go to www.reverbnation.com/angelospinazzola



ljgrant@cbpost.com
- Cape Breton Post

SYDNEY — If Angelo Spinazzola were to pick up a win in the children’s recording of the year category during East Coast Music Awards Week, he’ll be sharing it with First Nations students from across the island.

The Cape Breton singer-songwriter is nominated for an ECMA for “First Nations Songwriting Sessions with Angelo Spinazzola,” which is the result of a school program that began simply but has grown significantly in recent years.

During regular music and songwriting workshops at schools in Waycobah, Eskasoni, Membertou and Chapel Island, Spinazzola works with elementary students, performing and talking about his own music, playing some tunes he’s developed with other students, and eventually brainstorming with them about ideas for a new song.

“I take that and then I go home with it and I develop a theme. I go back the next week and I have a theme and then we start writing and I teach them a chorus, a bridge and verses, and I teach them a little bit about songwriting. Throughout this whole process I also teach them a bit of singing,” he said.

Spinazzola eventually decided to compile the best of four years worth of work with students into a CD.

“That compilation turned out to be the ‘First Nations Songwriting Sessions,’ which is a full-length CD with First Nations schools on Cape Breton Island,” he said. “They are all up for an East Coast Music Award. It’s a big deal.”

Spinazzola said that the concept of songwriting sessions for students is spreading, noting he’s now involved in a local anti-substance abuse campaign called the Red Road Project, and has received inquiries from other parts of the country about his program.

“This thing is branching out. I just got a call from Iqaluit asking if I wanted to come up and do a week songwriting session here with the youth,” he said.

In addition to the children’s recording nomination, Spinazzola is also heading into this week’s East Coast Music Awards in Moncton, N.B., with a shot at another award, in the roots/traditional solo recording of the year category for his latest solo album “Beautifully Imperfect.”

“I was pretty overjoyed. I had a nomination for two different categories, for two different albums, which really, really, really excited me,” he said. “This is 25-26 years of doing this and I’ve been nominated before and I’ve been on the show and I’ve done the showcases but it’s really nice to be recognized by the industry.”

Spinazzola said the musical community in Atlantic Canada has been “extremely warm and accepting” and an important support system for him throughout his career. Now, he said, he tries to offer similar support to the region’s next generation of musicians.

“I want to nurture what has been nurtured in me by my peers. I am definitely all about helping the younger people and basically giving back what’s been given to me.”

Spinazzola said he’s looking forward to performing, attending workshops, and getting together with friends at this year’s ECMAs, which begin Wednesday and conclude with Sunday night’s gala awards show.

For more information on Spinazzola and for a free download of “First Nations Songwriting Sessions with Angelo Spinazzola” go to www.reverbnation.com/angelospinazzola



ljgrant@cbpost.com
- Cape Breton Post

North River troubadour nominated for ECMA - The Victoria Standard - Victoria Standard

View the Cape Breton Island Nominees for the ECMA 2012 Awards in Moncton, NB. - Cape Breton Post

View the Cape Breton Island Nominees for the ECMA 2012 Awards in Moncton, NB. - Cape Breton Post

Cape Breton’s award nominees to step into spotlight during Screaming Eagles playoff game Wednesday

SYDNEY — East Coast Music Week is just a few weeks away and Cape Breton is well represented again when it comes to award nominations.
As a way of celebrating the success of the local musical community, the Cape Breton Post, the Cape Breton Music Industry Co-operative and the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles have teamed up to present a tribute to the East Coast Music Award nominees, Wednesday during the Screaming Eagles home playoff game at 7 p.m. at Centre 200 in Sydney.
Prior to the first period there will be a ceremony introducing the Cape Breton nominees and they will walk the red carpet onto the ice. Nominee John Campbelljohn will play a solo instrumental version of the national anthem, and there will be videos showcasing the nominees and their music throughout the game and during intermissions.
An information booth will also be set up in the concourse where artists can meet and greet the public, and people will have an opportunity to sign a banner wishing the nominees good luck. The banner will be displayed in the Cape Breton embassy during East Coast Music Week in Moncton, N.B., April 11-15.
Here’s a look at the nominees that will represent Cape Breton:
MUSIC AWARDS
• Jimmy Rankin
Nominated for: entertainer of the year; album of the year, country recording of the year, and solo recording of the year for his album "Forget About the World;” songwriter of the year and song of the year for “Here in My Heart,” and two video of the year nods for “Here in My Heart” and “I’m Just Saying.”
Brief bio: This Mabou native first rose to fame as a member of the renowned Rankin Family with siblings, Raylene, Cookie, Heather, and the late John Morris. But for the last decade, Rankin has built an impressive solo career, with the release of four albums, including last year’s “Forget About The World,” which has already earned numerous awards including a Canadian Country Music Award as roots artist of the year, and SOCAN songwriter of the year honours for the song “Here in my Heart” during Nova Scotia Music Week. He’s also up for a Juno Award for country album of the year.
• Carmen Townsend
Nominated for: rising star recording of the year, rock recording of the year for her debut album “Waitin’ and Seein’”
Brief bio: A native of North Sydney, Townsend released her highly anticipated debut album “Waitin’ and Seein’,” last year and followed it up with a whirlwind few months that included opening for legendary rock band Heart on a cross-Canada tour, completing her own national tour, and taking home four awards during Nova Scotia Music Week.
• Keith Mullins
Nominated for: rising star recording honours, and world recording of the year for “Localmotive Farm,” and children’s recording of the year with Thom Swift for “Keith Mullins/Thom Swift Youth Song Project”
Brief bio: A multi-talented musician, singer-songwriter, Mullins is a busy touring and recording artist, but is also a sought-after music workshop teacher, and youth song project coordinator. Mullins lives in Stewiacke, N.S. where he and his wife Jody, are raising two kids and running Localmotive Farm.
• Angelo Spinazzola
Nominated for: roots/traditional solo recording of the year for “Beautifully Imperfect,” children’s recording of the year for “First Nations Songwriting Sessions with Angelo Spinazzola.”
Brief bio: The Cape Breton singer-songwriter and musician released a new album “Beautifully Imperfect,” last year. It was his fifth album and first in five years. In addition to his music, Spinazzola has operated North River Kayak Tours for 18 years.
• Gordie Sampson
Nominated for: solo recording of the year and country recording of the year for “Almost Beautiful”
Brief bio: The Big Pond singer-songwriter has divided his time between Cape Breton and Nashville, Tenn. for the past number of years. He’s a respected, Grammy Award-winning songwriter for country stars like Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill and Keith Urban, but he’s also maintained a successful solo career as a roots-rock artist.
• Scott Macmillan
Nominated for: DVD of the year and classical recording of the year for “Within Sight of Shore”
Brief bio: Composer, arranger, performer, director, conductor, and teacher, Macmillan has done it all when it comes to the art of music making, and in all genres including rock, blues, classical, choral, Celtic, and jazz. Macmillan’s composition “Within Sight of Shore” is a chamber orchestra piece that depicts the last Canadian warship sunk in the Second World War, HMSC Esquimalt, of which Macmillan’s father was the commanding officer.
• John Campbelljohn
Nominated for: blues recording of the year for “Celtic Blues”
Brief bio: The veteran bluesman is a native of Sydney River but resides in Cole Harbour, N.S. Throughout his career, Campbelljohn has toured extensively in eastern Canada and overseas in Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. In fact, “Celtic Blues: Live in Hamburg” was recorded live while on a solo tour in Germany.
• Carleton Stone
Nominated for: pop recording of the year for his self-titled release
Brief bio: This Sydney native released his self-titled sophomore album last fall. Produced by Juno Award-winning Canadian artist Hawksley Workman and released by GroundSwell Music, the 11-track album has been receiving lots of national attention and Stone continues to tour across the country.
• Kenneth and Angus MacKenzie
Nominated for: roots/traditional group recording of the year for their debut effort "Pìob is Fidheall”
Brief bio: Brothers from Mabou, Kenneth, 28, plays Highland pipes, border pipes and fiddle and still resides in Mabou, while Angus, 32, currently resides in Scotland and plays pipes and whistles with a couple of bands there. In 2010, the two won the Frank (Big Sampie) Sampson Award presented by the Festival Volunteer Drive’ers Association, receiving recording studio time as a result.
• Madison Violet
Nominated for: folk recording of the year for “The Good in Goodbye”
Brief bio: This Toronto-based alt-country, folk-roots duo features Creignish native Lisa MacIsaac and Brenley MacEachern. They released “The Good in Goodbye” last fall and they tour frequently both in Canada and overseas. Madison Violet won the prestigious Maxell Song of the Year Award, as part of the 2010 John Lennon Songwriting Contest for their song “The Ransom.”

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The East , Outfront Productions , CBC Radio Mainstreet Cape Breton , Cape Breton , Port HawkesburyNominated , Port Hawkesbury

INDUSTRY AWARDS

• Cheryl Smith

Nominated for: graphic/media artist of the year

Brief bio: Webmaster and owner of Outfront Productions Inc., Smith has a portfolio of more than 50 websites that she designed or manages. Her client list includes Rita MacNeil, the Barra MacNeils, Mary Jane Lamond, and Bruce Guthro.

• 101.5 The Hawk in Port Hawkesbury

Nominated for: media outlet/contributor of the year

Brief bio: Established in 1975, CIGO is a full-service adult contemporary station based in Port Hawkesbury that began as 1410 AM and converted to 101.5 FM in 2000. The station’s main focus is Inverness, Richmond, Antigonish and Guysborough counties.

• The East Coast Countdown

Nominated for: media outlet/contributor of the year

Brief bio: The East Coast Countdown is a weekly, nationally syndicated radio program featuring Atlantic Canadian artists, which was founded in 2004 by longtime Cape Breton friends Jimmie Inch, and the late Jack Bonaparte. The countdown, hosted by Inch, features Atlantic Canadian pop-rock music and is broadcast weekly on 36 stations across the country.

• Wendy Bergfeldt

Nominated for: media outlet/contributor of the year.

Brief bio: A veteran journalist and current host of CBC Radio Mainstreet Cape Breton, which reports on current affairs, as well as extensively on the island’s arts and entertainment scene. Bergfeldt has also produced three CDs highlighting Cape Breton fiddlers, Gaelic singers, and Acadian women.

• Marcato Digital Solutions

Nominated for: retail/company of the year.

Brief bio: Sydney-based company specializing in the creation of web-based solutions for the music industry. Their two flagship applications are Marcato Musician and Marcato Festival, which are being used by a wide range of festivals and artists.

• Ian McKinnon/GroundSwell Music

Nominated for: management/manager of the year

Brief bio: Cape Breton native Ian McKinnon started GroundSwell Music in 1992 as the artist management and record company for his group, Rawlins Cross. The Halifax-based label and management company, has expanded significantly over the years with a focus on East Coast artists. - CB Post

Angelo Spinazzola

ANGELO SPINAZZOLA is a Cape Breton-born singer/songwriter and very capable instrumentalist, at home on guitar, harmonica, harp, and flute —and then some. He has combined his love of travel across the globe with his music, bringing his unique perspective to new friends along the way, and new experiences home to Cape Breton in his music.

A recording artist, Angelo's 2006 CD Release garnered a 2007 East Coast Music Award nomination. His latest, Beautifully Imperfect, was released this summer.

When he's not writing, performing, recording, or touring the globe, Angelo operates North River Kayak Tours from his office on the North River. He's a busy guy!

Visit Angelo on the web at spinazzola.ca

- Cabot Trail Writers Festival Society

Harbourview Montessori School with Angelo Spinazzola
Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.
-Dr. Maria Montessori-

Produced by Angelo Spinazzola
Engineered by Jamie Foulds, Soundpark Studios
Ed Woodsworth-Fretless bass
Darren Gallop-Percussion,Conga
Angelo Spinazzola-Vocals, Guitar, Flute
Michelle Van-Flute
Graphic design-Mike Van, Michelle Van, Angelo Spinazzola
The students at Harbourview Montessori School have always been involved in working toward positive change in the world. This theme is integrated into their everyday lives at school, through interactions with one another, with their teachers and with the wider community. Volunteering their time to help others and to spread messages of generosity and kindness is truly a part of the foundation of our school.

The song, On the Peace Wheel, grew as an extension of our Montessori school and of Montessori Model United Nations, of which we have played an active part since it began. The song, for us, represents the very real attainability of peace in the world. In the words of the children, “Why can’t we just share?” and “We all deserve a peaceful land.”

The poem that precedes the song was written entirely through the collaborative efforts of the children (ages 6 to 13). The song was co-written by local singer/songwriter and musician, Angelo Spinazzola, over a period of about 2 months. Angelo’s passion for this project was inspiring for the children.

After countless hours of writing, re-writing and practice, the children went to SoundPark Studios and spend the entire day recording the song. A special thank you to Ed Woodsworth (bass) and Darren Gallop (percussion) for volunteering their time and talent to this project.

The children are showing that the lyrics to the song have deep meaning for them. They are selling the CDs to raise money for the charity Free the Children, an organization of children helping children. The 4 students from the group who are members of Montessori Model UN will take the CDs to the MMUN conference in New York City.

Michelle Van and Darlene Sparling - Harbourview Montessori

Angelo Spinazzola to release new album Saturday

SYDNEY — His travel bug bitten for a while, Angelo Spinazzola is back home and ready to introduce some brand new music.
The Cape Breton singer-songwriter and musician will release a new album “Beautifully Imperfect,” Saturday starting at 9 p.m. sharp and running until midnight at The Upstairs, located on the corner of Ferry Street and Dolbin Street in Sydney.

There are 12 all-original tracks on the CD, inspired by a number of curveballs that have been thrown Spinazzola’s way in recent years.

“A break-up of a relationship triggered a lot of songwriting, and then I got back into traveling and I traveled all throughout South America, central America, and I was in Asia for a while and then I went there to write and backpack and just travel around and be a bit of a free spirit for a while, and that went really well,” he said. “So I just came back from Colombia at the end of December and as soon as I got back I started getting my ducks lined up for the recording studio at Soundpark with Jamie Foulds.”

Spinazzola said he had a real vision for his new album, going into the recording process.

“I wanted it to be a vocal album with lots of really nice layered harmonies, and very vocal-orientated and very acoustic-sounding. I was trying to be somewhat of a minimalist but trying to make it exciting as well. I’m super happy with it. The vibe of the album is incredible,” he said, noting the first single from the album, “Better Follow Bet” is already at number five on the East Coast Countdown.

“Beautifully Imperfect” is Spinazzola’s fifth album and first in five years. His last recording, a double-album entitled “Release,” was released in 2006 and featured his own original music, as well as songs which had been previously recorded by his brother, musician Carlo Spinazzola, who died in 2003. The acclaimed recording was nominated for an East Coast Music Award for roots/traditional recording of the year.

In addition to his music Spinazzola has operated North River Kayak Tours for the last 17 years, and will focus much of his attention on that in the coming months.

“In between kayak tours, I’m sure I’ll be doing a few gigs to promote the record as well, and then once kayak season is totally over I’ll probably go out and do a little tour around the Maritimes. That would be fun,” he said.

Admission to Spinazzola’s CD release event is $10. Tickets are available in advance at the Cape Breton Curiosity Shop on Charlotte Street in Sydney. Spinazzola will be joined by a number of musician friends for the show including Montreal fiddler Anit Ghosh, and fellow Caper, Ed Woodsworth, on bass.

CDs will be available for sale Saturday night, as well as online at www.spinazzola.ca. - Cape Breton Post