Toronto Blues Society | » TBS Announces 2005 Talent Search Finalists

TBS Announces 2005 Talent Search Finalists

Published May 19, 2005 in Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / PLEASE UPDATE LISTINGS

Six new blues voices!
Toronto Blues Society announces Talent Search finalists.

WHAT: Toronto Blues Society’s annual Talent Search competition for up-and-coming Canadian Blues Artists.
WHO: Six finalists chosen from submissions from across the country.
WHERE: Distillery Blues Festival in Toronto’s Distillery District.
WHEN: Finals: Saturday June 11, 12-6pm

(Winner Showcase: June 12, 2:30pm)

The Toronto Blues Society is pleased to announce the six finalists in the 2005 Talent Search. Each will perform a set for a panel of distinguished industry judges on Saturday June 11 on the Distillery Lane Stage at the Distillery Blues Festival.

The winning act will receive a special showcase engagement at the Distillery Blues Festival on June 12 to be recorded for national broadcast on CBC Radio’s Saturday Night Blues. The winner will also receive eight hours of studio time with Bass Line Studios and a photo shoot with Rick Zolkower.

Previous winners of the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search include The Rockin’ Highliners, Jake & the Blue Midnights, Ronnie Douglas Band, and David Rotundo & the Blue Canadians.

The Distillery Blues Festival runs from June 10-12 in Toronto’s Distillery District. Admission is free.

The finalists are:

12:00-12:40 Carey West
Carey is a young Toronto singer and songwriter with a wide range of influences and sounds. Carey uses her powerful voice and bluesy delivery to front Toronto world-rhythm band The Liquidaires, bluegrass-country band The Jeremiahs, and jazz ensemble The Millionaires.

1:00-1:40 Wickens-Knight
Founded by Dylan Wickens and Jonathan Knight, Wickens-Knight is a band that blends blues, rock and roll, country, funk and a little rockabilly to create their own unique sound. They are have just completed their debut album which will be released this spring. Wickens-Knight are Jon Knight, Dylan Wickens, and Tom Bona.

2:00-2:40 Reuben Cherry
Toronto band Reuben Cherry have created a completely new blend of blues, rock, gospel, and soul. They are Craig Riddock, Scott McCord, Pete Gray, Gary Folka, Brad Holy and Cabbagetown Steve. After showcasing at the Toronto Blues Society’s Blues Summit, Reuben Cherry were booked for a tour of Canadian blues festivals.

3:00-3:40 DeeKaye Ibomeka
At 24, DeeKaye is making a name for himself as one of Canada’s hottest rising young male blues and jazz vocalists. The son of Nigerian immigrants, DeeKaye has a powerful stage presence, an original three-octave voice and a style that brings to mind the essence of Ray Charles, Nina Simone, and Joe Williams. He is currently writing songs for his debut album scheduled for the fall of 2005.

4:00-4:40 Charlene Zehr
Charlene is a Kitchener based classically train pianist who has spent many years playing on the road in a variety of styles. She has recently released her second independent CD of 10 original songs entitled “Trip” on which she fuses the blues with rock, reggae, hip-hop, and gospel.

5:00-5:40 Ndidi Onukwulu
Ndidi is an eclectic performer who brings a stunningly powerful voice and the influences of gospel music and her Nigerian heritage to the blues. She has performed recently in the Global Divas concert and the Toronto Blues Society’s Women’s Blues Revue. She is currently recording her debut album to be released later this year.


Media Contact:
Toronto Blues Society
416-538-3885
[email protected]

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The Toronto Blues Society acknowledges the annual support of the Ontario Arts Council, the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council and the Department of Canadian Heritage, and project support from FACTOR< and the Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage (Canada Music Fund) and of Canada’s Private Broadcasters, The Canada Council for the Arts, the SOCAN Foundation, SOCAN, the Ontario Media Development Corporation, and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.