Artists 2021
Come discover our awesome artists!
Acoustic Steel
Acoustic Steel is a six-member acoustic steel band. The musicians are Carol Taylor on first pan (melody), Cheryl Dietrich on double seconds (harmony), Rob Hartung on cello (bass), Sam Ogilvie on electric bass and Dick Smith and Kerren Asumang on djembe. The band started playing together over 12 years ago and play a diverse selection of songs suited to the unique sound of the Steel pan and rhythms of the Caribbean.
Events at which the band has been invited to play include Community Festivals, Charitable Fundraising Events, Weddings, private parties and Corporate functions.
Google plus:
https://plus.google.com/116092279598021749704
Anandi Carroll-Woolery
Co-Master of Ceremony
Anandi loves Caribbean culture and will promote it at every opportunity. She serves on the Board of the Caribbean Canadian Association of Waterloo Region. She is the current administrator of the Afric Caribbean Book Club. She enjoys filmmaking and obtained a Film Studies Certificate at Ryerson University in 2010. She produced a short film “Gerima” about a very special local drummer of Caribbean descent; the short debuted at the Local Focus Festival, Kitchener in 2011. She stays active in production, volunteering with RogersTV as the host of the news show “Your Region This Week.” She also enjoys improv acting, creative writing and speech crafting with Toastmasters.
Ayo Owodunni
Co-Master of Ceremony
Ayo Owodunni is a management consultant and community activist.
He works for the Black Professionals in Tech Network.
He is a columnist on the CBC Radio show “How to Canada”
Ayo was born and raised in Nigeria.
Chasaya Sichilima
Famed for his smooth silky vocals and unique dance moves, Chasaya Sichilima brings energy and enthusiasm to his shows. His smooth silky vocals take the listener to the Kalindula, Manchancha, and Zambezi heartlands of Zambia. He sings with soul and performs with fiery passion!
Chasaya was born in the Copperbelt city of Zambia in Ndola, fondly called the “Friendly City”. He is regarded as one of Zambia’s best singers, songwriters and performers. He has been inspired and influenced by a number of Zambian and foreign artists such as The Witch, Ackim “The Voice” Simukonda, Teddy Chilambe, PK Chishala, Tabu Ley Rochereau, Salif Keita, Lokua Kanza, Luther Vandross and Peabo Bryson, just to name a few. These influences have allowed Chasaya to develop a sound that incorporates rhythm and blues with traditional Zambian folk and contemporary music.
Credited with introducing Zambian music to mainstream Canadian audiences, Chasaya made his Canadian debut at Afrofest 2003. The following year, he played alongside the Sakala Brothers and Rapper Louie X, fellow Zambians at Afrofest in a show widely acclaimed as a breakthrough for Zambian music in North America. Chasaya has played in England, the US, Zambia and Canada. He has headlined the “Our World Festival of Music” at Kitchener City Hall and the “African – Canadian Association of Waterloo Region Area” Black History Month Celebration at the Registry Theatre, David Livingtone’s Bicenterary Celebrations at Castle Kilbride and “Bring on the Sunshine Festival”. In 2014 he performed at the “LINK Picnic Festival” to critical acclaim.
Chasaya’s sophomore album Walasa received critical acclaim. The album, a collection of nine songs that featured Sichilima’s silky vocals with a unique blend of contemporary and traditional rhythms. Walasa in the Zambian languages of Bemba and Nyanja means, “You have hit the target”, or “You have hit the nail on the head”. Walasa encompasses contemporary sounds that have influenced many African artists in the Diaspora. The album has spun hits such as “Akamangu”, “Mukoto”, “Naleta Ichila” and Tizaonana.
The songs “We Kaela” and “Moombe Wabacisya” from his debut album “Inspirationally Yours” were featured on a compilation album of African artists in Canada titled “Bana Ya Africa”. Another song “Zambia” was the subject of media debate as an alternative to the country’s national anthem.
A two-time nominee of Canada’s prestigious Jack Richardson Award for World Music, he is a past winner of the Cuban Salsa Dance Championships in the UK. Chasaya is currently working on his third album.
Videos:
Naleta Ichila: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub1AQRtlQZk
We Kaela: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciC1QWU7Lto
DJ TRiPP D
Kenrick Dookie also known as DJ Tripp D currently works around the KW/Guelph area for private events and night clubs. Having many years of experience in live events lead to performances with artists from Def Jam to Cristian Rap and opening sets for J. Cole, Trey Songs, 4Korners and others.
DJ’s Soundscape
Jahbama — Nigeria and Zimbabwe
DJ Lenny — R&B, Soul, Smooth Jazz, Reggae & Calypso.
Music is the Heartbeat of Life,
Music is the Universal Language,
Capture the Essence.
eKhaya
The songs of eKhaya World Band have graced many stages and festivals, over the past decade. From Africa to America, at festivals such as Jerk-Fest, Harbour Front, Carassauga, Kultrun and many more. eKhaya music is Zimbabwean, Jamaican and Canadian sounds woven into a musical tapestry, with each song part of a story, waking a memory and invigorating the ears. The eKhaya sound is a merging of Afro Jazz, Afro-beat, rhythm and blues, Rock., reggae! It is both old and new.
With a warm and engaging presence and a charismatic music style, eKhaya invites to find your own rhythm, within a common rhythm a beat that brings you eKhaya(Home).
Tichaona eKhaya Lead Vocals, Percussion, guitar
Kyle Lawler – lead guitar, rhythm guitar and vocals
Gillie Genesis – Keyboards, Rhythm guitar, vocals
Gerima Harvey – Percussion vocals
Elvis Bokosha
Elvis Bokosha band originated from Zimbabwe but then moved to Canada. The band was established in 2012 by Elvis Bokosha. Elvis is the lead singer and he is an acoustic guitarist and he is gifted with a powerful voice.
This is a nine-member band comprising of the lead singer who plays acoustic guitar, bass guitarist, pianist , keytarist, drummer, electric guitarist and three backing vocalists.
Our music can be classified as Afro Jazz but we would like to believe that it has a contemporary feel to it. We are a band that seeks to address social facts pertaining to day to day life. All the songs are composed by Elvis and most of them are about love, motivation and guidance. The languages used in the music are mainly Shona, Ndebele and English. Shona and Ndebele being the native languages in Zimbabwe.
We have shared stage with most popular Zimbabwean musician like Oliver Mtukudzi, Tocky Vibes, Winky D , Shinsoman just to mention a few. Our performances have mainly been in Zimbabwe, South Africa, United Kingdom and Canada. In Canada we have performed at Bring on the sunshine festival, Habari Africa Festival and other events.
Elvis has released one album and so many singles. The album is titled Shanda ”work” and has 9 tracks which include shanda, wandaireva, rudo.
Errol Blackwood & Injahband
ERROL BLACKWOOD, RECORDING ARTIST SINGER SONGWRITER, MUSICIAN
Errol Blackwood was born in the Accompong (Maroon) Hills of Jamaica. He moved to Toronto Canada at an early age where he learned to play the Bass Guitar. He played with several bands in Ontario doing a mixture of RnB, Rock and Funk. His love for music comes from a variety of sources, from the church of his father who was a pastor, the Nyabinghi Drummers, the School music drama concert and the Jukebox playing from Country to Rhythm n Blues.
Errol founded the band Messenjah, along with Ray Ruddock and Rupert Harvey. They recorded two albums and a video under the WEA record label. Messenjah toured extensively for 6 years traveling across Canada and the U.S.A The band regrouped in 1986. Highlights included sharing stage with Hugh Masekela, The Clash, Frank Zappa Reggae Sun-Splash and CBC TV Concert in the park and Much Music cross Canada simulcast.
Email: blackwood100@gmail.com
Errol’s Links:
Website
KW record news paper 2018
Facebook
Video bio. Pics song titled Cooling Down De Rage from Rastaman say cd
Errol blackwood cds on itunes
Love is How
Paradise/vkings
Alien eb video
Wrote the first jamaican football team song reggae boyz
2014 single “anything for you. Recorded at fullstride studio
Rainey night in georgia
Everton Wilmot
Co-Master of Ceremony
A strong believer in the development and advancement of youth. Everton has provided leadership and mentoring to youth through coaching numerous sport teams and sitting on the associate boards of these organizations.
His entrepreneurial drive has seen the development of multiple start-up companies that have been contributing factors in the economic development of the Waterloo Region. Everton’s ongoing training in leadership has allowed him to inspire his teams to succeed throughout the companies he is associated with. With a passion for public speaking, he has found himself presenting to large groups, conducting motivational sessions, addressing congregations and educate others on many different topics.
Everton has had the pleasure to add to his acting credits in recent productions of “How to Write a Song“ and TCP’s production of “Ragtime”. Supporting of the Arts is a part of Everton’s life, his wife Michele is a Canadian Concert pianist who holds her licentiate from BC Conservatory of Music. His middle son Alten is an Eastwood Collegiate Arts program graduate, holds his Theatre Arts Degree from Sheridan College and is the Artistic Director of Unwrap Theatre.
Gerima Harvey
Gerima Harvey lives in a world where love regions and where he hopes there is always an abundance of music lovers to collaborate with. He hears the beat of yonder drummers and possesses a unique gift of being able to gel with any art form and artist.
He has been channeling musical prowess since infancy. From plates, tin cans, and plastic containers, he now expresses his ideas and emotions through a variety of drums, other percussion instruments, and vocals.
This dynamic soloist is a member of many musical relationships. In Canada, he plays with Baro Dununda, a West African Drumming Group, J Collective, Alysha Brilla, Ekhaya, Errol Blackwood, and others. In Jamaica, he is jammed with Earl Chinna Smith, Fab five, The Congos, Italee Waston, Tony Rebel, and a few others.
He launched his first CD, hosted by Saikou Saho of African Drums and Art Craft, in June 2015. From studio to stage, this magical musical genius inspires everyone, everywhere.
Gerima Music:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtEQSlA8Ujf54uuheIwq7Ig
Gerima performing with Baro Dunuba:
https://www.facebook.com/luciana.brown.18/videos/1021594271250928/
Gerima Harvey’s CD Launch Solo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPzpfHJw-0o
Jay Harmony (aka Jay Davis)
Jay Harmony, A college professor with a passion for music. Jay Harmony’s thirst for anything musical was started in the church and has grown into an international touring artist. As a multi-instrumentalist, singer and songwriter, Jay Harmony has performed at many festivals, Board of Trade’s events and prestigious galas across Canada. She is the winner of several urban music awards and a two-time semi-finalist in the former CHIN music contest. Jay Harmony has taken her love and appreciation for music to fans across Canada – performances in popular venues including the Rogers Centre, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the CNE, Rose Theatre and the legendary Massey Hall.
Jay’s beautifully crafted sound is a reflection of her many inspirations and her innate ability to master genres from R&B and reggae to house, jazz, hip-hop and soul. Inspired by artists like Whitney Houston, Jennifer Hudson, Rihanna, Beyoncé, The Beatles, Elton John, Bob Marley, Beres Hammond, Dennis Brown, Gregory Isaacs, John legend, Etta James, R. Kelly and Prince; Jay recognizes that those artists have all had an impact on the music she writes and performs. Some by their ability to write hit songs, others for their performance styles, and their captivating vocal abilities.”
Jay Harmony continues to carve her own niche. She refuses to be relegated to a box. A singer and a songwriter, Jay Harmony’s talent is undeniable. She is a breath of fresh air and has the makings of a mainstream and international phenomenon. The winner of many music and entertainment awards, Jay Harmony is one of Toronto’s most sought-after entertainers.
In Jay’s words, “Music is therapeutic and it seems to be as much therapy for me as it is for the people who appreciate my music. I get high on music and I am inspired to write about my experiences because I know they are never unique. Others can always relate and in many instances take comfort in listening to my melodic interpretations of love, growth, perseverance, the world, and supporting others.”
Two albums to her credit, Jay Harmony is an artist to watch. Albums include “No Giving Up”, and “Ever Present”. Both albums are motivational and inspirational. These albums are a testament to Jay’s vocal ability and her lyrical prowess. Albums are available on iTunes and all online music distributors.
Connect with Jay Harmony:
Website: www.jayharmony.com Twitter: @JayHarmonyMusic
Phone: 416-556-2899 Instagram: JayHarmonyMusic
Email: jaysharmony@hotmail.com
Moses Sakala
Moses Sakala is a Zambian musician, singer, producer, song writer and master drummer with a career spanning over 30 years.
With 9 albums to his name, 4 of which have won awards, Moses Sakala is instrumental in the creation of a Zambian music genre known as Makewane music.
His career started out in a musical duet called the Sakala Brothers which produced award winning albums and shared the stage with highly acclaimed local and international musical acts such as Coldplay, Afel Bocuom of Mali and Ladysmith Black Mambazo of South Africa. Also of recognition is their participation in the creation of the motion picture soundtrack for the movie “Life is a Beautiful Thing” alongside Oliver Mutukudzi, Ranto, Manu
Dibango and Lucky Dube. The album won the Best Soundtrack award at the Ninth Annual South African Music Awards.
As part of the Sakala Brothers, Moses participated in major regional and international music festivals that include the Southern African Development Communities (SADC) Music Festival in Zimbabwe, the International Performing Arts Festival at Chang-Mu in South Korea and the World Tourism Fair in the Netherlands. They also toured the Southern African region, UK and Poland. Some of the other countries Moses has toured include; India, China, Re-union Island, Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Malawi and Lithuania.
Moses is a gifted songwriter behind several theme songs that the local Zambian audience has appreciated for years. He has shared his songwriting skills with other artists in the industry by writing and producing songs for the likes of Angela Nyirenda, Shatel, Paul Mixer and Muki Mwale, who have subsequently won the hearts of the Zambian music fans.
Moses is hearty about excellence in music production, patriotism, peace and youth skills transfer.
He is currently working as leader of the Sakala Brothers Band and Director of the Odini Arts Centre, a youth focused community center specialized in teaching artistic skills.
Panwaves Steel Band
The Panwaves Steel Band has been entertaining in the Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge area since 1989. The band can perform as a duo, trio or even a soloist. Music ranges from Calypso, Reggae, Latin, Motown and Top 40 Hits. Imagine having your guest enjoy the sounds of the islands at your next special event or patio night.
The band can be seen around the K-W Region in Santa Claus Parades and the Cambridge Canada Day Parade. Panwaves have also participated in the Scotia Bank Caribana Parades and Panorama/Pan Alive Competitions in Toronto from 1996 to 2002. The band has received many best band awards and in 2002 band leader Clyde Dookie received the Bernice Adams Award for music.
Princess Stella Hill
Princess Stella Hill is a very gentle Nigerian Canadian, who has a great passion for promoting multicultural heritages in Canada, with particular reference to Nigeria, and Africa in general. She is the Deputy Executive Director of a charitable organization in Guelph; a Volunteer Board Director/Events Coordinator at Guelph and District Multicul-tural Festival Inc., an umbrella cultural organization for seven years, where she is still Events Coordinator to date; Founder/Publicity Secretary of Nigerian Canadian Association of Ontario, Guelph Chapter; the originator and presenter of Nigerian/African Traditional Ceremonial Fashion Showcase, at two African community cultural organizations events, in Guelph, Kitchener, and Waterloo regions for over 10 years. As a result of her consistent volunteering, and community social services in Cana-da, she was given the following awards, and honour in the province of Ontario as shown below:
- “Fashion Queen” –Bring On The Sunshine AfricanFamily Festival, Kitchener 2020;
- Ontario 150 “Volunteer Service Award”, 2017; and,
- City of Guelph “2010 Volunteer of the Year Award.
”Princess Stella Hill’s passion for promoting traditional values and heritage, keeps firing on year after year. She is poised to continue propelling Nigerian–African glamorous fashion heritage to its pinnacle in the diaspora.
Raechele Lovell
Raechele Lovell, Choreographer
Video Presentation:
Maxton Schumacher – Age 7- AcroDance Solo
Raina Schumacher – Age 9 – Afro-Contemporary Solo
Samantha Patrick – Age 17 – Contemporary Solo
Choreography by: Raechele Lovell
These dancers from the Caribbean Community have all been studying under Raechele Lovell at Star Performance Academy in Waterloo. Raechele is now the Owner, Founder and Artistic Director of DiverseWorks: A Dance Company, launching this fall in Waterloo Region.
Rufus John
Rufus John is an award-winning youth mentor, Child & Youth Worker and chart topping Artist. His music has a funky, fresh sound layered over a slick fusion of Soul & R&B with undertones of hip hop, jazz and gospel. His music is the vehicle he chooses to use to tell his story of heartache, addiction, love, pain, family and everything in between.
The life and talent of Rufus John personally and professionally is in an upward movement affecting everyone that encounters his musical genius. Whether on stage performing for the masses or giving back through his musically inspired youth mentorship program, his overall vision is to be a beacon of light for those coming up. It has become exciting to see when his enthusiasts are able to understand their story through his soulful truths, ultimately inspiring those around him. Needless to say, anyone who spends the time listening to his art, will inevitably fall in love with Rufus John.
Shaka Zulu
Jeffrey Cummins (aka Shaka Zulu) was born in Barbados and spent 13 years living in Holland where he performed extensively all over Europe including countries such as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France Belgium, Spain, Holland, Estonia and Italy. He was involved in many aspects of the entertainment industry including performing African dance, African drumming, fire shows, dance choreography, and costume design/creation. He now resides in K-W where he continues to perform African dance, African drumming, and Fire Shows at various festivals and for private parties. He also teaches group and private salsa lessons at the Flying Dog (Waterloo), The Guanaquita Restaurant (Kitchener) and his own studio (BlackJack Designs and Entertainment at 283 Duke St W, unit 338, blackjack66@msn.com). Jeffrey has a passion for entertainment and making people smile. You won’t want to miss his performance, especially his fire show. His fun and crazy interactive style will keep you entertained and amazed.
Thorpido
Thorpido is an inspirational reggae artist who is on a mission, teaching, educating, liberating and enlightening people through music of self consciousness.
Thorpido, who toured Uruguay and Argentina with Massagana Reggae Band in January and February 2020, is known for his popular single “Rasta Rude Boy”.
Marvin Lloyd Thorpe born July 23, 1986 is a Jamaican Recording Artist, Songwriter and Producer better known by his stage name Thorpido was born in Kingston Jamaica. In 1991 he moved to Pembroke Hall St. Mary. At the age of nine, while enrolled at Jeffery Town All Age School, he developed a passion for music by listening to artists such as Capleton, Buju Banton and Bounty Killer. Thorpido would write songs of four lines and sing aloud with his brothers.
He finished high school where he represents Tacky High in both cricket and football. Thorpido continued his musical journey wherein 2004 he started recording songs with his brothers and friends. His friends would use a cassette recorder to record the melody they have made. These songs were played in his community which enrolled him to perform at concerts.
Working as a Pre-Trained Teacher from 2004- 2007 Thorpido keeps focus and excel in making greater and more powerful music that speaks to the heart and soul of people. Living in the country where there’s a lack of opportunity the singer decided in moving back to Kingston where in 2008 he started working as a Security Officer. Visiting recording studios and learning more about the music industry Thorpido take another step further into his musical career.
Thorpido began his music career professionally in 2009, with his first single *Evil Deeds* under the Label Kaos Family Records. Thorpido gets radio played and performed on TVJ Smile Jamaica TV morning show. Thorpido continues to release song such as *Missing you*, *Love and Let’s Grow*, *Wicked Dem A come ft Nappa* and *Down In Jamaica* collaboration with Swedish label DoobieSound, from Uppsala Sweden. Thorpido is also best known for his lover’s style and popular single “Teach Them The Way”, which peaked at # 1 on CVM TV hit list video charts.
On August 13, 2015 Thorpido release his debut studio album, SOUNDS OF REVELATION.
In 2016 he was promoting one of his most loved single and video *Rasta Rude Boy*. Thorpido is said to be amongst the greats in the music industry.
Thorpido released another single “Nah Give Up”. The song which has been released since March 17, 2017 in all digital stores such as iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Band Camp and many more. “Nah Give up” is a collaboration between the Spanish Label Burn it Produccions and Jamaican Label Kaos Family Records.
Thorpido is now working with producers from England, Portugal, Brazil, Uruguay and many other parts of Europe and South America.
Thorpido is currently in the process of working on his second studio album and recently released his new single *Roots* on January 6, 2020.
This reggae sensation Thorpido is available for booking worldwide and can be reached by email: thorpidomusic@gmail.com. The singer who resides in Kingston Jamaica can also be found on other social media websites. Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube @Thorpidomusic.
TONY ANTHONY
Mark Bennett, aka Tony Anthony was born in St Catherine, Jamaica.
In his early years, he honed his skills as a guitarist and vocalist in the award-winning reggae band Crucial Vibes, working alongside some of Jamaica’s greatest performers of reggae music.
Tony Anthony migrated to Canada in the early nineties and formed the reggae outfit Tatix who went on to win numerous Canadian reggae music awards and gained a JUNO award nomination for the album “Time Bomb”. During that time, he also flexed his songwriting flair and his vocal magic on a dance music single “Took me for Granted” by the group After Dark which became a hit on the Canadian and European dance scene.
In 2010, Tony Anthony independently released his first solo album “Million Chance”. The album and 3 singles “Torn”, “Bad News” and “Love you so Much” topped reggae charts in several countries worldwide. “Million Chance” was nominated in the “Best Reggae Recording” category in the 2011 JUNO Awards. He was also nominated in the “Breakthrough Artist of the year” category at the 2011 EME Awards in Jamaica and won the “Best male vocalist”, “Best songwriter”, “Best Single” and “Best Reggae Album” at the Canadian Reggae Music Achievement Awards.
Tony Anthony has toured the U.S.A, Canada, the Caribbean and countries in Europe with stops at the Exit Festival in Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, the UK and France to name a few.
His latest album “Then Now & Forever” won the Best Reggae Album category at the 2020 Bright Star Awards in the UK. It was also voted number 3 on the Top Ten Reggae Album for 2020 by the Foundation Radio Network in the USA.
Tony Anthony holds a BA degree in Social Science from York University and an Associate degree from Humber College/Guelph University in Canada. He worked for fifteen years as a producer and videographer at OMNI Television, Canada’s most popular multicultural station. Tony Anthony is the CEO of Reggae North, a group based in Canada that is comprised of artists, musicians, record producers and music enthusiasts working collaboratively to promote reggae music and expose the untapped talents that exist in Canada. He is also the principal writer on Canada’s premier online reggae magazine, Reggaenorthca.com.
Tony Anthony is now a proud member of the Blaze FM radio family. Listeners can tune in to his show the ‘Reggae North Jam’ on Blaze FM 103.9 FM.
Youth of The Sudanese Canadian Association of Waterloo Region and Wellington County
Youth of Sudanese Canadian Association of Waterloo Region & Wellington County will perform the Sword Dance from Sudan.
Hadandawa, also called Sword Dance, is a folk dance from Sudan performed mainly by men carrying swords and women carrying sticks. The dance is evolved out of sword fighting between men back in the day. The presence of women dancers in the dance symbolizes peace, love and joyful life.
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