Juno award-winning and Grammy-nominated Canadian pianist and composer Serouj Kradjian is the artistic director of the Amici Chamber Ensemble and has appeared as soloist with the Vancouver, Edmonton, Madrid and Göttingen Symphonies, the Russian National Orchestra and the Armenian Philharmonic.

1. What are we interrupting (i.e. what music-related activity are we taking you away from to write this)?

Right now (Thursday, May 23), the new recital program I’m preparing, which is made up of piano transcriptions. Now working on J.S. Bach’s Chaconne as transcribed by Johannes Brahms for left hand only, so technically I can use my right hand to type this, while practising.

2. What, if anything, are you most looking forward to as an audience member between now and September 7? 

I am looking forward to seeing and hearing my wife Isabel Bayrakdarian perform my new work Trobairitz Ysabella (inspired by medieval woman troubadours) with the Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Anne Manson, on July 9 at the Music and Beyond Festival in Ottawa.

3. How about as a music maker/player?

A recital on June 15 in Lindsay, Ontario where I will play Levante by Osvaldo Golijov, which is the last track of Amici Ensemble’s ATMA-produced CD Levant, awarded the Juno for Best Classical Album of the Year (2013).

4. What are you already preparing for musically beyond the summer? And (how) do your summer plans tie in with these longer term plans?

Looking forward to Amici’s exciting 26th season, composing my first movie score for a feature length Suspense/Drama, starting work on a new commission from the Fresno Philharmonic, and of course preparing my new piano recital program. This summer will be a lesson in multi-tasking, especially when I add to the above mix the pleasures of keeping up with our very active five-year old son and our beautiful six-month old daughter.

WEBSITE

amiciensemble.com 

Eve is a pianist whose performance interests encompass extremely contrasting sensibilities, from rigorous interpretation of a score to free improvisation. She also explores other art forms and technologies in relation to the piano. Her disc Simple Lines of Enquiry, music by Ann Southam, was selected as one of “Ten Top” classical discs by Alex Ross of The New Yorker magazine (2009).

1. What are we interrupting (i.e. what music-related activity are we taking you away from to write this)?

I have woken up early, before my family rises, full of the day’s thoughts of things to do (Thursday, May 23).

2. What, if anything, are you most looking forward to as an audience member between now and September 7?

I most look forward to Luminato's production of Feng Yi Ting by composer Guo Wenjing, directed by my brother.

3. How about as a music maker/player?

Exploring my own creative work/composition – this path shifting away from but complementing my artistic practice as an interpreter of new works is funded by a Chalmers Arts Fellowship I received this year.

4. What are you already preparing for musically beyond the summer? And (how) do your summer plans tie in with these longer term plans?

My most exciting summer project is a residency at ArtSpring on Salt Spring Island, working together with composer Linda C. Smith on a new work for solo piano which will be premiered on tour in the spring of 2014.

Award-winning piano virtuoso Christina Petrowska Quilico is one of Canada’s leading interpreters of new music. Besides numerous premieres ranging from solo works to concerti, she performs a wide range of repertoire and has recorded 30 CD titles.

1. What are we interrupting (i.e. what music-related activity are we taking you away from to write this)?

I am reading a student’s doctoral thesis and learning a lot of new repertoire. Also, trying to relax after an extremely busy year (Wednesday, May 22).

2. What, if anything, are you most looking forward to as an audience member between now and September 7?

I hope to get to the National Ballet and any jazz during the summer. I also plan to attend some rehearsals of Shrek The Musical in St. John’s, Newfoundland. It doesn’t open until the fall, but I have to see my granddaughter, who has one of the leads, as the Young Fiona.

3. How about as a music maker/player?/4. What are you already preparing for musically beyond the summer? And (how) do your summer plans tie in with these longer term plans?

I have many new pieces to learn. I have two tours in January and February 2014. The first is with the Toronto Dance Theatre, with whom I will play Rivers by Ann Southam for several performances in Halifax, then in Fredericton and Saint John. In February, I have at least seven concerts in Greece – including Athens and Crete – where I will play Visions by Constantine Caravassilis. I will also perform Visions in St. John’s, Newfoundland this September 28at Memorial University. Besides a November solo recital for a faculty concert at York University, I will perform two piano concertos by Violet Archer and Heather Schmidt with the Koffler Strings and Jacques Israelievitch, conductor, on November 24. Jacques and I are also performing all the Mozart violin and piano sonatas on May 4, 2014, in Toronto and May 25 at the Primavera Concerts in St. Catharines. In addition I am working with dancer Terrill Maguire on a project for this October. Then there are several new CD projects. Among them are the completion of Ann Southam’s Glass Houses, a Canadian program with violinist Jacques Israelievitch, and a Brazilian Tangos two-CD set.

Alex Pangman’s sweet n' sassy vocal style is ideally suited to the hot jazz and traditional swing songs of the 1920s and 30s. “Canada’s Sweetheart of Swing” has for more than a decade been making the music of the past captivatingly present, and released Have A Little Fun in 2013 on Justin Time Records.

UPDATE: You asked for a summer update, and here's one especially for you.

We had an amazing time at Massey Hall as the support act for Willie Nelson!

It went by so quickly (faster than my wedding day really) and it was such a pleasure to meet and work with Willie's crew. Playing on that stage was amazing – what a brilliant room for sound.  

There was some controversy in the news before the show as to if Nelson should be opening a “jazz” festival. After hearing his improvised solos on songs like Grapelli's Nuages there is no doubt that he plays jazz. In fact, I think he is a genre-spanner. To be the support act as a swing band made perfect sense, as the historical convergence of jazz and country is well known to western swing fans. Thematically the songs are similar too – themes of love, loss, dancing. These defy genre or age and had a very warm reception from the cowboy-hatted crowd. 

One thing I found kind of interesting is that when you stand on the stage there you can really see your audience on the floor. The way the lights are you can actually SEE them, which helped it to seem intimate (as much as 2500 people can be intimate). That being said, I tried to sing also to the balconies, and Glenn threw one of his sticks up there ;)

 Alex

1. What are we interrupting (i.e. what music-related activity are we taking you away from to write this)?

Right now (Monday, May 20), sitting in the backyard under the lilacs thinking about which Christmas songs I could record. Yep.

2. What, if anything, are you most looking forward to as an audience member between now and September 7?

Hearing Willie Nelson at Massey Hall on June 20: the man is a living legend. The genius of his songwriting over the decades…just, wow.

 3. How about as a music maker/player?

Opening for Willie Nelson at Massey Hall. I've only ever paid to be in the audience at Massey Hall...now I'm being paid to be on the other side of the footlights. Super surreal. Everyone in the band is super stoked! We'll be playing songs from our new album, Have a Little Fun.

4. What are you already preparing for musically beyond the summer? And (how) do your summer plans tie in with these longer term plans?

Ah, well, that ties in with question one. We are trying to work on another Christmas project for my label, but it's in the early stages yet. I'm sourcing a possible French Christmas carol, booking the session, recording and mastering the single so I have already started the early planning stages. 

VIDEO

Alex Pangman -- Just One More Chance -- OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO from missytwoshoes on Vimeo.

WEBSITE
alexpangman.com

Whether covering jazz standards, bringing an intimate tone to 70s rock or giving a funk spin to country classics, Toronto-based jazz vocalist and songwriter Shannon Butcher can be found around town dishing up dynamic interpretations of the music she loves.

1. What are we interrupting (i.e. what music-related activity are we taking you away from to write this)?

Right now (Wednesday, May 22) I’m listening to studio takes recorded earlier this month for my new EP.

2. What, if anything, are you most looking forward to as an audience member between now and September 7?

Two things come to mind. One: “Joni: A Portrait in Song – A Birthday Happening” at Massey Hall. I’ve been a fan of her artistry since I first discovered her music. Also, I’m very excited to see Glen Hansard and Chaka Khan interpret her songs. Two: It’s felt like a long winter this year so I’m looking forward to hearing some live music in the great Toronto outdoors. I hope to make it out to several of the free concerts both during the jazz festival and throughout the summer in Nathan Phillips Square.

3. How about as a music maker/player?

I’ll be performing out at the Royal Botanical Gardens for the first time on June 19. What a gorgeous setting for a gig! Also, in August I’ll be returning to National Music Camp as their voice faculty. I'll spend a full week making music with talented and dedicated singers. It’s always an inspiring experience.

4. What are you already preparing for musically beyond the summer? And (how) do your summer plans tie in with these longer term plans?

I’m planning to release some new recordings in the fall, so that means a lot of work in the next couple of months. It’s an exciting time! I’m also spending time learning new songs on the ukulele and guitar so I can bring them in to my live sets in the near future. The great thing about the ukulele’s size is that you can easily bring it along on your Centre Island picnic and practise in the sun!

WEBSITE

www.shannonbutcher.com