Amadou and Mariam ticket giveaway

Yes, Amadou and Mariam are coming to Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre on Thursday June 4th! As always, Fusicology’s got your back! We’re giving away a pair of tickets to one lucky reader. For your chance to win, simply send your full name in an email to toronto@fusicology.com with “A and M Tickets” in the subject line. The lucky winner will be drawn and contacted on Thursday, May 28th @ Noon.

Good Luck!

The history of this duo starts in Mali more than 30 years ago when Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia meet in 1977 at the Institute for the Young Blind in Bamako, Mali. At the time, Amadou had already made a name for himself as a young guitarist at the Ambassador Hotel in Bamako, one of the best stages for West African music in the nineteen seventies, while Mariam sang for a long time at Malian weddings and other traditional festivals. In 1980, they gave their first concert together and then settled in the late eighties in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where they carried out their first recordings. Towards the end of the Nineties, the duet signed a contract with a major label and recorded three albums.  Their biggest breakthrough came in 2006 with the recording and release of “Sunday in Bamako”.  Produced by Manu Chao it allowed Amadou & Mariam to reach new musical heights of creativity and collaboration.

With “Welcome To Mali” they expand on their work and experience with other world renowned musicians.  Adding to the album are guest appearances by Keziah Jones, -M-, Tiken Jah Fakoly, Juan Rozoff and Canada’s K’Naan.  Amadou explains that, ‘This album is the fruit of these meetings and opportunities. It falls under the line of what we do for a long time, while also marking an evolution. `Welcome To Mali’ is to some extent the meeting between our origins and our future aspirations. ‘

“Welcome To Mali” is unique in that it is a disc which is perhaps deeply African, but at the same time also an album of music for the world.  Acting as your ambassadors, Amadou & Mariam, wish to welcome you into Mali and hope that you will enjoy the musical journey.

For more information on Amadou & Mariam please visit  amadou-mariam.com.

HOT DOCS FESTIVAL TICKET GIVEAWAY

We are giving away 3 pairs of tickets for the Fusicology sponsored screening of The Documentary film “Rise Up”. Simply send an email to toronto@fusicology.com with “Rise Up Tickets” in the subject line. Winners will be drawn and notified this Friday, May 1st @ Noon. Good Luck!

Raphael Saadiq Concert Ticket Giveaway!

That’s right folks, we’re giving away a pair of tickets to see Raphael Saadiq live in concert at The Phoenix in Toronto on Monday, March 16th. All you need to do is send an email to toronto@fusicology.com with “Raphael Tickets” in the subject line without the quotations. The Lucky winner will be drawn notified this Thursday @12PM EST. Good Luck!

Fusicology 2 Yr Anniversary Party and iPod Giveaway!

Fusicology Toronto is turning 2! Come join us on Saturday, November 15th @Opera House as we celebrate with special performances from Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, King Sunshine, Footprints DJ’s and more! To top things off, we’re giving away a special edition iPod touch, courtesy of Hitech Tattoos.

Hypnotic Brass Ensemble

Dirty ass brass band from Chicago. These cats toured with Mos Def as his backing band and will be here on November 15th for our Fusicology Toronto 2 Year Anniversary Party and you’re invited!!

Details here:

http://www.fusicology.com/new/index/events/detail.cfm?rid=33&id=18435

Toronto Nujazz Festival Sampler

Here’s a sample of what to expect from the upcoming Toronto Nujazz Festival November 13-15. The dope lineup includes perfromances from The Herbaliser, Grand Analog, National Parcs and of course The Hypnotic Brass Ensemble w/King Sunshine as part of Fusicology Toronto’s 2 Year Anniversary Party at Opera House on November 15th.

Toronto NuJazz Festival

Zaki Ibrahim Ticket giveaway!!

That’s right, we’re giving away a few tickets to see Zaki Ibrahim Live at The Phoenix in Toronto on Friday October 24th! Just send us an email to toronto@fusicology.com with “zaki ticket giveaway” in the subject line. Lucky winners will be drawn and notified on Monday, October 20th. GOOD LUCK!!

35th Annual IAJE Conference

IAJE Events preview

by Louisa LaBarbera

This week in Toronto we are fortunate to be hosting the anual IAJE (InternationalAssociation of Jazz Educators) Conference. That silly saying, “Those who can’t do:teach,” certainly doesn’t apply in this scene where numerous educators are alsoactive performers and writers of today’s most cutting edge jazz. Converging onToronto this week are many such musicians. Although the majority of concerts arefor conference attendees only, that won’t stop us from getting to hear from some ofthe best performers! Contrary to some local opinons, Jazz in Toronto is very muchalive…with many little clubs and restraunts popping up with jazz all over town,there are lots of performances to check out. From big concerts to little pizzaparlour gigs, I’ve put together a mix of my fave choices for this weekend.

Triple Whammy

This is what we call a triple whammy post, let me explain. The classic footage above is from Joni’s going away jam in April 2006. Now in 2008 she’s got an album out available at CD Baby.

by dj o.s.u.m. 

John Legend/Little Brother

Damn, how many legends can this family produce? HHNLive.com just posted this interview with Vaughn Anthony who is sibling to none other than John Legend himself. Judging by the songs on his myspace he could fill big brothers shoes.