Western Canadian Music Awards Show
The 13th annual Western Canadian Music Awards will honour the achievements of western Canadian artists on Sept. 20 at Victoria’s McPherson Playhouse.
There are 23 award categories and three local recording artists have CDs nominated in four categories.
Children’s entertainer Alex MahĂ©’s album RĂ©veillons les bonnes chansons!, is the only album nominated in two categories. The proudly bilingual St. Albert resident is nominated for the Francophone Recording of the Year and Children’s Recording of the Year.
Former St. Albert homegrown talent, Thom Bennett, is a successful drummer in Edmonton’s celebrated jazz scene. As one-third of the A/B Trio along with Dan Davis (saxophone) and Josh McHan (double bass) they have become rising jazz stars.
A/B Trio is up for Jazz Recording of the Year after its album Out West, recorded with iconic jazz saxophonist Mike Murley, picked up momentum and was put on the CBC playlist.
And finally, The Wet Secrets, with Morinville’s Christan Maslyk on sax, percussion and vocals has received a nod for Free Candy. Released in 2014, the indie rock band’s third album has rallied fans with its catchy tunes and serious staying power.
University of Alberta launches 50th anniversary
The University of Alberta music marks two milestones this year. Convocation Hall, a treasured chamber music venue on campus turns 100 years old. In addition, the music department celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Kick-starting the season is BĂ©la BartĂłk: Art and Nature taking place today at 3 p.m. in the hall. One of the most original and versatile composers of the 20th century, BartĂłk collected folk music from Eastern Europe and beyond.
A pioneer in ethnomusicology, he incorporated distinctly Hungarian traits in his musical language that made his works inimitable.
University of Alberta pianist Roger Admiral will play BartÄ‚Ĺ‚k’s piano works from 1908 to 1926, pieces composed during the same time period as the creation of Convocation Hall.
Tickets are $10 students, $20 adults, and $15 seniors and are available at yeglive.ca/ualbertamusic or at the door 30 minutes before the concert.
