Music
Press
June "Pepper" Harris, a musician and playwright, was at McNally-Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg last night at the launch of her new book "I Used To Be Coloured But Now I'm Black". Between the 'live jazz music' songs June read from her book". - andrew's new thing
As an internationally recognized performer, Harris has certainly done her part to keep
civilization functional. Starting her career on Chicago’s piano bar scene, she eventually began touring the neighboring states of Wisconsin and North Dakota, and then Canada. Ultimately, she performed in six different languages, and as far away as Singapore, Israel, Jakarta, Qatar, and Spain, and she conducted jazz vocal workshops for the Grand Rapids National Jazz Festival; Winnipeg International Jazz Festivals; The Professional Musician's College (Winnipeg); Universities of Winnipeg and Manitoba as well as for clubs in Winnipeg, Mannitoba..
Harris owes much of her international
success to the support
of the AFM. A member of the
Federation from the age of 17,
Harris remains what she calls “a
die hard union member.”
“They’ve been really great to - International Musician's Magazine
GET In the mood for summer with some sultry music. Jazz singer pianist will help kick off the 2002 Winnipeg International .Jazz Festival in Old Market Square, located in the heart of the Exchange District. The event will take place on July 14 at 6pm.
Joining Harris on-stage are Walle Larsson on flute, soprano and alto sax; Paul Balcain on flute, tenor and alto sax; Daniel Koulack on bass and Chris Gillies on drums.
illllcnin on flnte, tenor and alto sax;
Tile group will perform excerpts from
Harris' recently released CD, JuneJazz, Chicago Style.
For more information on this talented singer, check out her web site at www.junejazz.ca
local singer, check out her weh-site at
IV ww.jllllejazz.ca.
I I I
Celebrate good henlth alld COLlllt all
yunr biessings at the 'Ill LifellJeulthy Liv~
log Carlllvn!.
ilasted by tbe Canadian Dialretes Asso~
r:ialioll and Youville Centre, this carnival
I,rill feature (llspla}'s, demonstrations and
lots of fnn activities for the entire famity.
h islJees, footballs and Floyd the Clown~~\\"Nn 1!1('
Northeast
me jllst a few highiights of the day. There
will also be tai chi, danceJ martial arts
and BBQ demos, not to mention games,
inflatable structures and the chance to
will some cool prizes.
You wiil also be abie to find alit more
about the 'Ib Life! program at the carni~
val. J[ you've aiready signed up, be sure
to wear your 'Ib Life! 'l'-shirt and visit fel·
low members at the Superfan Cafe.
'Ib Life! is a free, buddy~based active
living program for Manitobans that
focuses on forming partnerships for wellness
and preventing type 2 diabetes and
other chronic diseases.
For lllore information on the program
or to register, visit their web-sile at
www.tulife.ca.
Tire carnival will he heid at the ForilS in
Festivnl Park 011 June 15, nuon tu 1 p.IlI The Winnipeg Humane Society desperately
needs your help. The shelter is
extremely [uil rigllt now with beautifui
cats, Clnd more are arriving every minute.
If anyone you know is thinking of getting
a cat, please urge themlo come down
to the IIumane Society on 5 Eent St. as
SOOIl as possible.
III hOlwur of Adbpt-n-Cat Month, adoptions
on adult cats over the age of six
months are half price throughout the
month of Jline.
I I I
The 59th mmiversary of Iceland's iJ1de~
pendence will he ceiebrated June 17 at7
p.m. at the Jon Sigurdssoll statue on the
grounds of the Manitoba Legislature.
The ceremony wiil be followed hy a
reception and program at 8 p.m. at the
Scandinavian Cultural Centre, 761 Erin
St. The Sunnukor choir from Iceland will
perform.
'Ib be n part of the celebultioll, gather CIt
the steps o[ the Leglsiative JJnilding at
6:45 pm.
I I I
The Manitoba Naturalists Society will
hold its ntllllWI Natural Garden 'lbur on
Jtine 22June Harris will he performing Ihls weekend at the Winll The tuur will include visits 10 eight different
gardens. All g<lnlens feature natural
plantingll to attract birds and
hutterrIies AS well as more tradilionnl
. perenninls.'
Tickets for tile Garden 'lbm ilre for sale
at La Coste Gnrden Centre, Shehnenlinc
Nursery, SI. Mary's Nursery or hy cnll- ,
ing 943~9029.The Winnipeg 1,'1
IJrate their 75th :1111
JUlie 28 to .10. '1" t:<
please cnli 338~7!J2
I
](/1011' oI SOl/lt?P/l1
esHng ill your "ei~"11
flolli Monel i~a'" COl
"fax 10 697~7370. - Winnipeg Free Press
Discography
Tracks from my "June Pepper Harris, All Original" compilation CD are available online at CDBaby, Itunes, Apple and MySpace.com
Photos
Bio
My musical style is jazz, blues, Latin/Jazz and Latin blues. It swings, is finger-snapping, rhythmic, lyrical content that are mood enhancing.
ABOUT THE BAND:
I have recorded with each of these guys on occassion (Chris Gillies on my recent CD) and also performed many times in clubs, special events etc). Each musician is versatile, professional well-known artists in clubs, theatre, special events and festivals in Winnipeg and Manitoba. They are great players on their instruments and the feelings and groove we express when performing together come across to the audience.
PERSONAL INFLUENCES
My personal influences vary from Count Basie, Errol Garner, B.B. King to Herbie Hancock, James Brown and Earth, Wind and Fire, Tito Puentes to name but a few greats. My style has evolved from my roots in Chicago to years of works with a variety of artists that I was fortunate to play with before I moved to Toronto.
Prior to my last Winnipeg Jazz Festival performance at 'Decanters' with guest saxman Walle Larsson and group in 2006. Deano Dean and I performed with his 'Fat Chance Blues Band' at Winnipeg's Lyric Theatre for the 'Hurricane Katrina Benefit concert as part of the Owen Clark-Winnipeg Musicians Union charity event. Included amongst my worldwide performances are as featured singer with the Matti ‘Oilling’ Boiling Big Band in Helsinki at the Savoy Theatre and for Finks/Norsk Radio in Helsinki Finland. Other tours include worldwide performances in clubs, TV and special events
THE BAND
The musicians (all professionals), in this band all play blues, jazz and Latin-style music.
I have conducted jazz vocal workshops at the University of Winnipeg, University of Manitoba, The Professional Musician's College, highschools, The Kalamazoo National Jazz Festival in Michigan (Televized live) and Cool Jazz Winnipeg Festival
JEFF PRESSLAFF
has become a mainstay of the jazz scene since moving to Canada in 1977. Born in New York, educated at Princeton and Wesleyan universities, Presslaff has had a varied career working with many distinguished jazz musicians including, Benny Carter, Bill Barron, Ed Blackwell, roswell Rudd, Sheila Gordon, Stanley Jordan, Steve Nelson and many others.
MY STORY
In the works, recording my next album (in 2010) "Basically Blues" which will consist of 12 original songs in the Blues/Latin idiom 1. JEFF PRESSLAFF a mainstay of the jazz scene since moving to Canada in 1977. Born in New York, educated at Princeton and Wesleyan universities. Presslaff has such distinguished jazz musicians including, Benny Carter, Bill Barron, Ed Blackwell, Roswell Rudd, Sheila Gordon, Stanley Jordan, Steve Nelson and many others.
Saxman Deano Dean, well known blues man, is known for his screaming, soulful playing and also, one of the founders of The Winnipeg
Blues Society.
Bob Jackson, bassist is a regular with the George Reznik Trio at "Pembies"has performed with leading bands in clubs, venues and TV.
Versatile bassist, singer (perfect pitch) with whom I've worked many gigs, festivals throughout the years and concerts has also performed Canada-wide and featured is on my CD's.
Guitar wiz Chet Breau (I performed onstage and for TV with his dad, the great Lenny Breau) runs his own guitar school.
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