Miller still writes songs on the warped neck Fender guitar his mom fished out of his grandfather’s closet when he was 13. His 1999 Sketches EP won a Canadian Aboriginal Music Award, and he then headed to Phoenix to join Keith Secola and The Wild Band of Indians to help produce the award-winning Fingermonkey in 2000. In 2002, he released the JUNO Award winning Music Is The Medicine, and began focusing on his own career. His most recent release, Dirty Looks, represents his efforts to reconnect with his soul.

Born and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, he raised a bow to the fiddle in 1981. He then expanded to mandolin, acoustic and electric guitar, the unique double neck mando-caster/electric guitar, and added his superior vocal ability to the mix. He has since shared the stage with such icons as Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, George Jones, Charlie Pride, Loretta Lynn, Shania Twain and more. What It Takes is his third CD, co-produced by Steve Fox.

Fara Palmer’s musical career began at the age of 12, as she sang at an outdoor concert with headliner Buffy Sainte-Marie. A singer-songwriter, vocal and studio coach, her musical tastes encompass all genres. The result is a tapestry of sound that is pop-based, but interwoven with elements of rock, R&B, disco, world, dance and sometimes country. Her latest album, Phoenix, is a pop/folk-rock/roots fusion, both edgy and eclectic.

To know Troy Westwood, one need only listen between the lines of every song he has ever sung. From his time as the frontman for Eagle and Hawk to his latest foray into Indigenous Protest Folk Rock as Little Hawk, the repertoire he brings is a reflection of his spirit. Music is neither a habit nor a pastime for Little Hawk: it is his air. Home And Native Land was produced by Chris Burke-Gaffney and includes contribution from many acclaimed Canadian Aboriginal artists, including The Red Shadow Singers and Ray “Co-Co” Stevenson.

Sandy Scofield is a Metis/Cree/Saulteaux artist and composer based in Vancouver. She has been performing professionally since 1986 and hails from four generations of fiddlers and singers. She has been described as “a complex artist who can effortlessly move from centuries old aboriginal vocal styles to satiny pop to robust rhythm and blues and rock.” Her fourth album is called Nikawiy Askiy, which means Mother Earth in Cree. Her previous three albums have won four Canadian Aboriginal Awards.

Formed in 1984 by long-time friends and songwriting collaborators Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, the group’s first album, 1987’s Outskirts established Blue Rodeo as hit-makers with the single “Try”. Over the next two decades, the band’s studio albums have sold over 3 million copies and it won a wealth of awards. Blue Rodeo’s 11th and latest album, Small Miracles, was recorded in the spring of ‘07 and was produced by the band and Chris Shreenan-Dyck.

His new album, Goodbye Blue Monday, which was released by Wind-Up in the U.S. and was produced by Hawksley Workman, is a timeless burst of acoustic rock ‘n’ roll that’s brainy, playful and provocative. “Cigarette” —the song whose homemade stop-motion animation video yielded about 2 million views on YouTube — employs the cancer stick as a metaphor for addictive relationships. Fisher, who is based in Vancouver, previously released Let It Shine and his debut, Back Porch Spirituals.

On August 15, 2007, Neil Young played a new album for 100 people at Reprise entitled Chrome Dreams II (Chrome Dreams was an album he scrapped in 1977, and the name of two different bootlegs). The new album from the Canadian rock legend consists of three previously written songs and seven new songs. It was released in October and backed by a seven-week intimate tour.

With Release the Stars, his fifth album in a decade, Rufus Wainwright artfully establishes the intimacy he was reaching for, while creating a work even more ambitious in scope than his acclaimed 2004 release, Want Two. There is ravishing sound everywhere, yet it all serves to underscore Wainwright’s own performance as commentator, confessor and leading man. On this grand scale, his brilliant, idiosyncratic gifts as a songwriter and vocalist come into even greater focus, his stories more vivid, dramatic, funny, real, and at times very moving.

No Stranger is the new album from Canadian rock legend Tom Cochrane. His first album in eight years was self-produced at his own Layastone Studio in Georgian Bay and at Metalworks in Mississauga, Ontario. The new album features the singles "Didn't Mean," "The Party's Not Over" and "Northern Star." Tom Cochrane & Red Rider are currently on tour with John Mellencamp for 12 performances.

For her third album, The Best Damn Thing, the multimillion selling, singer-songwriter and guitarist had one clear goal in mind — to make it fun. While touring in 2004 for her last album, Under My Skin, the pop-rock dynamo found that her favourite songs to play were faster and more up-tempo, prompting her to make a record that captured that kind of high spirit. From the defiant, riotous kiss-off-to-a-cheating boyfriend “Everything Back But You” to the irrepressible first single “Girlfriend,” Lavigne delivers a youthful, blast of fun.

De ses débuts modestes à Charlemagne, la plus jeune des 14 enfants Dion a atteint le sommet des palmarès mondiaux en vendant plus de 180 millions d'albums à travers le monde. Elle fut la chanteuse pop contemporaine par excellence des années 90 et elle continue de se mériter l'adoration et le respect de ses fans dans ce nouveau millénaire. Son passage à Las Vegas, où elle a présenté "A New Day" pendant 5 ans, fut un énorme succès, et Dion se prépare à présenter sa nouvelle tournée à travers le monde. Taking Chances est son premier album en anglais depuis One Heart, paru en 2003.

De ses débuts modestes à Charlemagne, la plus jeune des 14 enfants Dion a atteint le sommet des palmarès mondiaux en vendant plus de 180 millions d'albums à travers le monde. Elle fut la chanteuse pop contemporaine par excellence des années 90 et elle continue de se mériter l'adoration et le respect de ses fans dans ce nouveau millénaire. Son passage à Las Vegas, où elle a présenté "A New Day" pendant 5 ans, fut un énorme succès, et Dion se prépare à présenter sa nouvelle tournée à travers le monde. Taking Chances est son premier album en anglais depuis One Heart, paru en 2003.

This has been Leslie Feist's year, with the catchy "1234" landing in an iPod commercial and becoming a smash download, her performance on Saturday Night Live and impressive worldwide sales of her latest album, The Reminder. She was also photographed by the famed Annie Liebovitz for Vanity Fair in November 2007. Feist's second album garnered her international acclaim, winning two JUNO Awards with her second solo album, 2004's Let It Die.

The Vancouver-based crooner has sold more than 11 million albums worldwide and won five JUNO Awards to date. His grandfather, who would play everyone from Sinatra to Ella, introduced him to swing music. As with his previous two bestsellers, 2003’s self-titled debut and 2005’s follow-up, It’s Time, Call Me Irresponsible boasts more of Bublé’s buoyant modern interpretations of standards from a variety of eras, including songs by Leonard Cohen and Eric Clapton. It also includes two self-penned originals, including the first single “Everything.”

With 2004’s I’ll Be Seeing You, Murray, who has sold more than 50 million albums in her career, reconsidered her decision to retire from recording, creating a new album that paired her legendary voice with other female vocalists. On Duets: Friends & Legends, her partners include Shania Twain, Martina McBride, Nelly Furtado, k.d. lang, Celine Dion, Isabelle Boulay, Celtic Woman, Carole King, Jann Arden, Amy Grant, Shelby Lynne, Indigo Girls, Olivia Newton-John, and her daughter, Dawn Langstroth.

Arcade Fire spent most of 2006 holed up in a small church in a small town outside of Montreal. The group was recording its second album, Neon Bible. From the moment its first album Funeral, was released in September of 2004, it was non-stop. From features in New York Times to performing with David Byrne, U2 and David Bowie, and traveling to Japan, Brazil and Sweden, it was a happy, tiring, surreal and weird time. Then they got to work on the new one — full of both half-assed punk rock mistakes and meticulously orchestrated woodwinds.

Founders Graham Walsh and Brian Borcherdt built the Toronto group, utilizing a variety of close friends to create its rthymic mixes. Members of Guided By Voices, King Cobb Steelie and Blue Rodeo have all collaborated with the group to create their unique sound. Without rehearsing or arranging parts prior to hitting the stage, Holy Fuck wrote the songs for the album live on tour. Mixing was done by Eli Janney (Girls Against Boys) and Dave Newfeld (Broken Social Scene, Super Furry Animals).

Patrick Watson is a Montreal-based art-rock quartet that carries the name of its chief songwriter and frontman. They exploded onto the Canadian and international scene at the end of 2006 following the release of Close to Paradise. Watson’s songs are psych-folk tales of melancholic euphoria. It’s Jeff Buckley singing on Philip Glass’ music. Patrick Watson’s shows, complex and elaborated, hit all senses in every angle and stick to the audience’s memory long after the last note has been played.

Tegan and Sara, who saw their single “Walking with a Ghost” covered by The White Stripes, continue to develop as songwriters with an unmistakably distinctive vocal style. THE CON introduces 14 new tracks showcasing the evolution of Tegan and Sara’s melodic and rhythmic vision.

Co-produced by Christopher Walla (Death Cab for Cutie, The Decemberists) with Tegan and Sara, the record was cut in Portland, Oregon at Walla's Alberta Court studio. Using their self-produced home recordings as the template for the final recording process with Walla, they collaborated with Death Cab's Jason McGerr on drums along with AFI's Hunter Burgan and The Rentals’ Matt Sharp both on bass.

Following the release of its 2005 self-titled sophomore album, Wintersleep spent months on the road touring through Canada, America and Europe. Upon return to their native Halifax, the band enlisted veteran producer Tony Doogan (Mogwai, Belle & Sebastian and Super Furry Animals), and worked in the studio for April and May of 2007. It was during this time that the 10 tracks of Wintersleep's third album, Welcome to the Night Sky, grew into its final stunning form.

For her third album, The Best Damn Thing, the multimillion selling, singer-songwriter and guitarist had one clear goal in mind — to make it fun. While touring in 2004 for her last album, Under My Skin, the pop-rock dynamo found that her favourite songs to play were faster and more up-tempo, prompting her to make a record that captured that kind of high spirit. From the defiant, riotous kiss-off-to-a-cheating boyfriend “Everything Back But You” to the irrepressible first single “Girlfriend,” Lavigne delivers a youthful, blast of fun.

De ses débuts modestes à Charlemagne, la plus jeune des 14 enfants Dion a atteint le sommet des palmarès mondiaux en vendant plus de 180 millions d'albums à travers le monde. Elle fut la chanteuse pop contemporaine par excellence des années 90 et elle continue de se mériter l'adoration et le respect de ses fans dans ce nouveau millénaire. Son passage à Las Vegas, où elle a présenté "A New Day" pendant 5 ans, fut un énorme succès, et Dion se prépare à présenter sa nouvelle tournée à travers le monde. Taking Chances est son premier album en anglais depuis One Heart, paru en 2003.

This has been Leslie Feist's year, with the catchy "1234" landing in an iPod commercial and becoming a smash download, her performance on Saturday Night Live and impressive worldwide sales of her latest album, The Reminder. She was also photographed by the famed Annie Liebovitz for Vanity Fair in November 2007. Feist's second album garnered her international acclaim, winning two JUNO Awards with her second solo album, 2004's Let It Die.

The Vancouver-based crooner has sold more than 11 million albums worldwide and won five JUNO Awards to date. His grandfather, who would play everyone from Sinatra to Ella, introduced him to swing music. As with his previous two bestsellers, 2003’s self-titled debut and 2005’s follow-up, It’s Time, Call Me Irresponsible boasts more of Bublé’s buoyant modern interpretations of standards from a variety of eras, including songs by Leonard Cohen and Eric Clapton. It also includes two self-penned originals, including the first single “Everything.”

Pascale Picard n’a pas fini d’impressionner les critiques et le public : après avoir passé son adolescence à se démarquer en tant qu’auteure, compositrice et interprète à Québec, elle participe à l’album de reprises de chansons de Pink Floyd et enregistre son premier album, Me, Myself and Us. Déjà considérée comme une des révélations de l’année, Picard étale sa folk-pop moderne sur des textures alternatives. Les compositions sont musclées, construites sur une charpente solide comme le rock.

FATHEADS’s 2007 release, Building Full of Blues, is the sixth album in a critically acclaimed catalog that has won the group nominations and awards, including a JUNO Award and several Maple Blues Awards. Marrying blues with elements of soul, R&B, and a little bit of Cajun spice, the band has a distinctive sound. The band consists of leader Al Lerman (harp, sax, vocals), Omar Tunnoch (bass, vocals), John Mays (lead vocals), Darran Poole (guitar) and Bucky Berger (drums).

Kennedy was blessed as a member of the Detroit scene in the ‘70s with The Chairmen Of The Board in which he sang the blues rocker “I’m The Chairman Of The Board.” After a string of million-selling singles with this legendary band, Harrison hit the road, honing the crafts of a consummate bluesman.

The Toronto guitarist returns with Blues Thing, his first studio recording since 2003’s JUNO Award winner, 6 String Lover. Strong songwriting dominates this album with mature lyrics covering life, love, happiness and, the blues. This is De Keyzer’s jazziest record to date with his guitar front and centre. A six-time Maple Blues Award winning artist, who has performed with Etta James, John Hammond Jr., Robert Gordon, Bob Diddley & Blue Rodeo.

Little Miss Higgins captivates audiences with her original, gutsy, spirited country blues songs and a crystal clear voice. The Alberta native is mostly accompanied by partner/guitar player Foy Taylor. Together, they are creating innovative guitar work rooted in a country blue style and an unforgettable “top hat” stage show.

THE JOHNNY MAX BAND, “the hardest working band in the land”, has been nominated for their first Juno Award on the strength of the critically acclaimed independent CD, A Lesson I’ve Learned, (Pour Soul Records). True to form, the disc is chock full of a swampy mélange of Blues and R&B. Southern Soul sensibilities abound as Max’s direct, uncoloured vocals lead the way while Teddy Leonard’s alternately cool and scorching guitar work and long time Nashville session man Martin Alex Aucoin’s keys prop up every number. Effectively replicating their live sound, “Lesson” ain’t nothin’ but a party! These guys play it like they mean it. Believe it!

Felix is co-founder of Toronto’s Helios Design Labs, a multi-disciplinary design studio launched in 1990 with his brother Alex.

Associate creative director at Rethink Communication in Vancouver, Harrison has been designing for some 14 years. He is a professional member of the Society of Graphic Designers of Canada.

Hussey is a photographer based in Vancouver, BC. He has received high recognition for his work, including Lotus Awards, National Magazine Awards, and City Regional Awards.

Partner and creative director, Cook founded Compass360 in 1988 after leaving MacLaren McCann. He brings originally and a breadth of experience from his 24 years in advertising, design and film. A serious student of the blues, he believes a man can never have too many guitars, but should it be just one — make it a ’36 National.

Buchner has been with Compass360 for much of his professional career. He has recently returned as design director after a two-year stint at the much-lauded Grip Limited. He brings a meticulous eye and sense of detail that has helped his company garner an impressive collection of international design awards.

Houde a déjà reçu une nomination aux prix JUNO pour le DVD d’Ariane Moffatt.

Originaire de Québec, Lepage adore créer des images. Elle a étudié le graphisme à Québec et l'illustration à Strasbourg avant de s'installer à Montréal. Ses illustrations ont été publiées dans American Baby, The Globe & Mail, National Post, Glow, et Today’s Parent. En 2007, elle a remporté un prix "Applied Arts Illustration" dans la catégorie de livre complet.

Partenaire dans le collectif artistique Doyon-Rivest, fondé avec Mathieu à Québec en 2000, Rivest est un graphiste et directeur artistique dans une agence de publicité. Par son choix de projets artistiques, la compagnie souhaite créer sa propre marque et l'utiliser comme moyen de communication.

Doyon, artiste visuel et musicien, est un partenaire dans le collectif artistique Doyon-Rivest, fondé avec Simon Rivest à Québec en 2000. Par son choix de projets artistiques, la compagnie souhaite créer sa propre marque et l'utiliser comme moyen de communication.

Maurice, une illustratrice et artiste de Montréal, habite présentement Tokyo et a reçu une nomination aux prix JUNO pour sa participation au dernier album de Arcade Fire, Funeral.

The 10-year-old Gemini Award nominee hosts This Is Daniel Cook, seen daily in Canada on Treehouse TV, TV-Ontario and Access, as well as nearly 80 countries around the world. He also co-hosted an incredible kids episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show and is the national spokesperson for the SickKids Foundation program Kids Believe In Kids. In 2007, This Is Daniel Cook produced the children’s CD, This Is Daniel Cook: Here We Are! Featuring the popular theme song, music from the show, and a collaborative tune with Barenaked Ladies’ Ed Robertson.

Born in Scotland, Douglas immigrated to Canada in the late ‘60s, where he became influenced by acoustic finger-style guitarists. Some years later, after becoming an elementary school teacher, his interest turned to writing songs for children. He started setting some of his favourite children’s poems to melodies and in 2002 released Alligator Ice Cream — Jelly Delight! His most recent recording, Gonna Keep Dancing, features the poetry of Canadian kids writers Robert Munsch, Charles Wilkins, Jo Ellen Bogart and Loris Lesynski.

For the past 13 years, Jen Gould has worked as a professional actor in some of Canada’s finest theatres. She has also appeared in feature films, television, and has provided voices for many children’s cartoons. Over the past 17 years, she has worked with children — as a teacher, a counselor and as an entertainer. Since its release in December 2006, Music Soup has sold close to 20,000 copies.

The story of Peter and the Wolf and the musical voices which tell Prokofiev’s classic tale have captured children’s imaginations for generations. As narrated by the internationally acclaimed actor, Colm Feore, the story comes to life for a new generation. The disk includes a new work for orchestra and narrator — Last Minute Lulu. Author and narrator Christopher Paul Curtis, as the winner of both the Newbery Award and the Coretta Scott King Medal, has become one of the most important voices in children's literature today. The charming score for Last Minute Lulu was composed by Brent Lee, a Canadian musician, scholar and educator

A four-time JUNO Award winner and 10-time nominee, the violinist is considered one of classical music’s biggest names on the world stage. He has performed in over 20 countries on four continents with virtually every renowned orchestra and conductor. His recording of concertos by Korngold, Barber and Walton is the 20th title in an already impressive discography. The 2007-2008 season takes him on majors tours of South America, Australia, New Zealand, Berlin, Prague, Glasgow, Paris, New York and more.

One of Britain’s leading conductors, Davis is continually in demand as a guest artist with leading European, and North American orchestras. In 2000, he became the music director and principal conductor of the Lyric Opera of Chicago and in 2005 took on the three-year post as music advisor at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.

A four-time JUNO Award winner and 10-time nominee, the violinist is considered one of classical music’s biggest names on the world stage. He has performed in over 20 countries on four continents with virtually every renowned orchestra and conductor. His recording of concertos by Korngold, Barber and Walton is the 20th title in an already impressive discography. The 2007-2008 season takes him on majors tours of South America, Australia, New Zealand, Berlin, Prague, Glasgow, Paris, New York and more.

Acclaimed conductor Maestro Bramwell Tovey has been music director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra since 2000, leading the country’s third largest orchestra to consistently successful seasons. A great champion of new music, he is regularly conducts educational concerts, Pops, and classical concerts.

Bernard Labadie est une des figures de proue de la scène musicale du Québec et du Canada. En tant que chef d’orchestre fondateur des Violons du Roy et de La Chapelle de Québec, il se produit régulièrement dans les plus grandes salles d’Amérique du Nord (Lincoln Centre, Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Centre, Roy Thomson Hall, et plusieurs autres).

Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra is Canada’s orchestra on period instruments. Kenneth Solway and Susan Graves established the orchestra in 1979. Since 1981, it has been under the leadership of music director and concertmaster Jeanne Lamon. All members of the orchestra are specialists in historical performance practice and perform on original instruments or modern replicas faithful in design and construction to the originals. Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra has released over 70 CDs and has performed around the world.

Maître Nézet-Séguin est à la barre de l’Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal depuis mars 2000, en plus de mener une carrière active de chef d’orchestre à l’échelle internationale. En 2006, Nézet-Séguin fut nommé directeur artistique de l’Orchestre philarmonique de Rotterdam, poste qu’il occupera à partir de la saison 2008-2009. En mai 2008, il mènera la production de Madame Butterfly de Puccini de l’Opéra de Montréal.

L’Orchestre Métropolitain fut fondé en 1981 par des diplômés des diverses écoles de musique du Québec. Depuis, il réussi à promouvoir la musique classique et le talent canadien auprès d’un vaste public. Avec sa direction artistique unique et son approche pédagogique, l’Orchestre est une véritable institution au cœur de la vie culturelle de Montréal.

Hewitt has established herself as a celebrated pianist through her superb, award-winning recordings for Hyperion. In 2005, she completed her 11-year project of recording all the major keyboard works of Bach, which spanned 14 discs. Hewitt has also made recordings of the works of some French composers including François Couperin, Emmanuel Chabrier, Maurice Ravel, and Olivier Messiaen. Rameau Keyboard Suites was released in 2007.

Queyras album brilliantly demonstrates the exceptional narrative and expressive force of the instrument “senza basso.” His focus on solo cello repertoire has led him to perform a series of concerts featuring the Suites by J.S. Bach, alongside contemporary works at the Triphony Hall in Tokyo and the Theatre du Chatelet. He also commissioned six composers to write an “echo” to each of the six Bach Suites for solo cello, in a project entitled Six Suites, Six Echoes.

Ce pianiste francophone a développé une riche carrière internationale et s’est produit en Amérique du Nord, en Europe, en Australie et en Asie. Il est renommé pour son répertoire rare et aventureux des périodes classique et romantique. Sous contrat avec Hyperion, ses enregistrements éclectiques incluent des concertos de Bernstein, Bolcom et Korngold et des disques solo de Alkan, Godowsky et Liszt. Il fut nommé Officier de l’Ordre du Canada en 2005.

Cellist Matt Haimovitz is a musical pioneer. He has inspired classical music lovers and won over countless new listeners to the genre by bringing his artistry to concert halls and clubs, outdoor festivals and intimate coffee houses, any place where music can be heard. He brings a fresh ear to familiar repertoire, but also champions new music and initiates groundbreaking collaborations within the classical domain.

This Canadian baritone has become one of the leading singers and dramatic interpreters of his generation, recording for major labels and performing at the world’s major opera and concert venues. He was honoured with the Editor’s Choice Award at the 2006 Classic FM Gramophone Awards. His relationship with leading conductors — including Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Sir Simon Rattle, Bernard Haitink and Antonio Pappano — has been part of a flourishing career.

Fondé en 1999 à Montréal, Les Voix Baroques est un ensemble de musique de chambre professionnel qui se consacre à l'interprétation historiquement documentée de répertoires inexplorés pour voix et instruments des 17e et 18e siècles. Le groupe inclut le contre-ténor canadien Matthew White et offre une série de concerts de programmes de voix et d’instruments baroques. Avec la voix de Matthew White, le violon baroque de Chloe Meyers et le violoncelle baroque d’Amanda Keesmaat, Les Voix Baroques possède un noyau flexible d’instruments et collabore régulièrement avec de jeunes chanteurs et des artistes et chanteurs de réputation internationale.

Hailed by the San Francisco Chronicle as “a singer of rare gifts and artistic intensity,” and by the Washington Post for singing with “an all-encompassing warmth and joy, melding honed artistry with youthful enthusiasm,” the soprano has emerged as one of the most magnificent entertainers of the day. The New Brunswick native has released her debut solo recording, Surprise, showcasing newly orchestrated songs by Grammy and Pulitzer prize-winning composer William Bolcom, Schoenberg’s Brettl-Lieder and songs by Erik Satie.

Two alumni of Aldeburgh, Stephen Ralls and Bruce Ubukata founded the Aldeburgh Connection. Back home in Toronto, they developed a Sunday afternoon vocal and piano concert series that featured a mix of well-established Canadian singers and talented up-and-comers. Each program is set around a theme, portraying a musical, literary or historical character or period. The musical selections are woven around lively readings from letters, diaries, newspaper clippings, poetry. Since the inaugural concert in 1982, it has presented about 100 different theme programs.

A 2005 Guggenheim Fellow and 2003 Barlow Prize recipient, Ottawa-raised Brian Current is one of North America’s leading young composers. His music is lauded and performed internationally, as well as broadcast in over 35 countries and is renowned for its energy, wit and bravado. He studied at Montreal’s McGill University with Bengt Hambreaus and John Rea, and later completed his Ph.D. in composition on a full fellowship from the University of California, where he was also active as a conductor.

The pure accessibility of Hatzis’ work hides a remarkably complex arsenal of techniques that draw upon the full diversity of musical approaches that exist in the world today. His music is inspired by early Christian spirituality, his own Byzantine music heritage, and various non-classical music genres such as jazz, pop and world music. Many of his most recent works bridge the gap between classical music and today’s popular music genres.

Ryan’s varied compositions include opera, choral music, chamber ensemble and orchestral works, and his arrangements have been performed and broadcasted across Canada and internationally. The Fergus, Ontario native currently serves as composer-in-residence with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and as composer advisor for the chamber music section of Music Toronto. Previously, he served for two seasons as an affiliate composer with the Toronto Symphony. He has been commissioned by numerous symphonies, ensembles and events.

In the ’80s, Shafer wrote concertos for flute, harp, and guitar, three string quartets and various other orchestral works. He staged The Alchemical Theatre of Hermes Trismegistos at Toronto’s Union Station in 1992 and Patria 8: The Palace of the Cinnebar Phoenix around a lake near his home in 2001. His latest composition, Letters From Mignon proves that he is, indeed, one of Canada’s premiere composers and creative forces.

Dr. Oskar Morawetz passed away last year at age 90. In a career that spanned more than 50 years, he composed over 100 orchestral and chamber works. His work has been performed on five continents by prominent artists such as Zubin Mehta, Seiji Ozawa, Glenn Gould, Yo-Yo Ma, Maureen Forrester and Ben Heppner. Acclaimed artists such as Mstislav Rostropovich, the Orford String Quartet, Jeanne Baxtresser, Dorothy Maynor, James Campbell, Julian Milkis and Angela Hewitt commissioned his compositions. Morawetz' compositions garnered him many awards, including two JUNO Awards. He was the recipient of the Order of Ontario, the Order of Canada, and the Golden Jubilee Medal.

The JUNO Award winner from Winnipeg has been inspiring teenage girls through her Beautiful Unique Girl (Bugirl) movement, encouraging them to look beyond the magazine covers and media frenzy to measure their own value. With a team of four, she shares her story and performs a concert, ending the night with group worship and sometimes tears. Her sophomore album is entitled Beautiful.

Raised in Abbotsford, BC, Doerksen has always had a passion for expressing worship through music. He released his first recording, You Shine (2002), and was presented with the 2003 International Award by the Gospel Music Association in America. Today was released in 2004 and was the No. 2 bestselling Christian CD in Canada that year. He has won numerous awards since then, including six 2007 GMA Covenant Awards. His latest album, Holy God, was the No. 1 Christian CD in Canada when it was released last March.

Armed with inspirational lyrics and a fresh new song, Newworldson, is rescuing soul music from being a mere genre or label and returning the art form to its sacred roots. Fronted by Joel Parisien, who has worked for years as a solo artist, Roots Revolution was recorded as a band, live off the floor, sometimes capturing the essence of a song in just one take. With the quartet’s rootsy blend of funk, reggae and old school rock and roll, it tries to challenge the pop world.

Christian rock band Relient K was signed by DC Talk’s Toby Macin 2000. Five albums later, and the band has earned two gold albums, for 2003’s Grammy-nominated Two Lefts Don’t Make a Right…But Three Do, and 2004’s mmhmm. Relient K’s fifth album is Five Score and Seven Years Ago. While it isn’t full of its characteristic puns and concludes with an 11-minute, 115-track tour de force entitled “Deadbed,” rest assured the band hasn’t lost its quirky sense of humour.

Toronto-area Christian rockers Thousand Foot Krutch first appeared in 1997, when Trevor McNevan, Joel Bruyere, and Steve Augustine started putting a worship song spin on a rap-metal sound similar to Limp Bizkit or Korn. Previous albums include 2001’s Set It Off, 2003's Phenomenon, and 2005’s The Art Of Breaking. The new album, The Flame In All of Us, is a thick slab of rock, filled with crunchy guitars and anthemic melodies, devoid of any faddish affectations or genre-bending excursions.

JUNO Award-winning saxophonist Tom Keenlyside and brilliant pianist Miles Black continue to delight with their jazz quartet, Altered Laws. Featuring their own melodic compositions and the bold performance of bassist Miles Hill and mastery of drummer Bernie Arai, the group takes an intriguing and creatively challenging approach to their music. The ensemble performs together regularly and is currently developing new material.

The Toronto-born guitarist/composer has four CDs to his name, 1997’s David Occhipinti, 1999’s Syzygy, 2003’s Intersection and the new Forty Revolutions. The latest features seven original compositions. Besides those recordings, Occhipinti has released two albums with Mike Murley, 2002’s JUNO Award nominated Duologues and 2005’s Duologues Vol. 2. In 2006, he composed “Four Pieces for String Quartet” which was performed by the Madawaska String Quartet and “Purple Sky” which was performed by the Array Music Ensemble.

During the group’s first 18 years, this celebrated group became known as one of the most original and energetic big bands anywhere. With over eight recordings selling over 100,000 units around the world, Manteca has become a “must see” concert attraction. Internationally, the group has shared the stage with legends such as Miles Davis, Van Morrison and Weather Report. After an absence of more than a decade, the nine-piece, fronted by Matt Zimbel, reunited and released its ninth recording, Onward!

Guitarist/composer Michael Occhipinti’s modern and eclectic approach to jazz has earned him a large following of listeners and the respect of critics and musicians alike. Chasing After Light is Occhipinti’s follow up to the successful, Creation Dream — The Songs of Bruce Cockburn. The new recording showcases his memorable original compositions and a broad palette of guitar sounds.

The Chris Tarry Group has been in existence in many different incarnations since 1994. With seven award-winning albums ranging in scope from trio's to 15 piece mini-big bands, Chris Tarry has constantly pushed the envelope of jazz with the presentation of his music. Seven sold out concert tours and many festival appearances have made The Chris Tarry Group one of the most successful jazz groups in North America. Regular appearances in New York, Los Angeles, and Europe have increased the band's international exposure. Chris' experience as one of the worlds top call electric bass players is a huge influence on the type of music he writes. Always eclectic, always soulful, and always memorable, The Chris Tarry Group brings you the history of contemporary jazz warmly wrapped with the ability of some of the greatest players in the world.

The country musician had a no.1 record on his hometown radio station while he was still in high school. Years later, wanting to be closer to family, the Fort McMurray, AB native has returned home after living in Nashville. Not surprisingly, his latest album, Moments That Matter, is all about family. “Somebody’s Son” is an ode to a fallen Canadian soldier, while “Cheaper To Keep Her” is a humorous take on a friend’s divorce.

Bamford has been pegged as one of the young guns of honest country. His distinctive sound has been crafted in honky-tonks and rodeo dance halls. The timeless appeal of his two-step treatment can been seen in the faces of the fans, whether he’s rocking on a country standard or crooning a simple love song. His third album, Honkytonks And Heartaches, includes the top 10 hit “Blame It On That Red Dress.”

Driven by his love of music and family, Kicking Stones showcases Reid’s no nonsense country sensibilities, mining the same deep well of personality and charm that made his award winning debut, Born to Roll, a breakout success. It’s a far more personal record, says the Scottish born, Canadian bred, singer/songwriter. “I just want people to know I do this because I love to write and sing, and above everything, to take care of the people I love.”

In the short span of a decade, Brandt has become the voice of country music in Canada and the recipient of countless awards and accolades. But these accolades haven't come without a few twists and turns along the way. Ask Brandt, and he'll tell you they've been the product of years of give and take, faith, and grace, words from the first single, "Didn't Even See The Dust," off of his latest album, Risk.

In just a few short years, Shane Yellowbird has gone from quietly pursuing a fine arts degree at Red Deer College to a budding country music star. Yellowbird has a hot selling record, major awards and nominations, along with two top 10 radio hits and videos to his credit. His debut album, Life is Calling My Name, features radio-friendly tracks in the tradition of George Strait or Garth Brooks and showcases Yellowbird’s amazing voice. He chose each track on his album, wanting every one to be about having fun and being in love.

One of Canada’s premiere entertainers for more than 25 years, Newton-Davis has appeared with such legends as Eartha Kitt, Joan Rivers and Sandra Bernhard. Born in Ohio, Newton-Davis has appeared on the Mike Douglas Show, the Jackie Gleason Show and sang back up for Gloria Gaynor in the ‘70s. In the 80s he relocated to Toronto and became an immediate star, winning multiple JUNO Awards. This year he is nominated for the Billy Newton-Davis vs. Deadmau5 track “All U Ever Want.”

Chromeo, Pee Thug and Dave are best friends, virtuoso musicians, and walking hip hop encyclopedias. Three years since the release of their debut album, She’s In Control, the pair returned to Montreal to work on the follow-up, Fancy Footwork

One of today’s most influential electronic music producers and DJs, multiple JUNO Award winner Hatiras is internationally known for his chart-topping global smash “Spaced Invader,” his album Arrival, and his Electronic Luv mixed compilation series. He also runs the cutting-edge record labels Blow Media and Hatrax. Between 1995 and 2001, he coordinated more than 40 events that were attended by up to 10,000 people at venues across North American.

First-time nominee's, singer-songwriter Melleefresh, aka Melleny Melody, president of Play Records has been a Toronto icon for years. Here collaboration with Niagara Falls native, Joel Zimmerman, aka Deadmau5, has helped position Play Digital as a top selling online label, with #1 singles and remixes on the digital market including play from Pete Tong and John Acquaviva, Chris Lake and many others.

Melleefresh and Deadmau5 started collaborating in 2004,and re-mixed Mellee's Beautiful Rich & Horny, a dirty mix of trashed-out and downright sexy Electrohouse, which went on to raid the dance floors of Europe and get major play from Judge Jules, Dave Pearce, Jonathon Peters, and landed then with live performances on the Tommy Lee and dj Aero tour!

Melleefresh and Deadmau5, held the #1 spot on Beatport.com with AFTERHOURS for over three months in 2007!

Play has already received the prestigious Bessie and Clio award for Doin Dishes, while other tracks have been licensed by Armada, Azzuli BMG-SONY, and Ministry Of Sound.

Call him a musical renaissance man. Nick Fiorucci is not just an internationally in-demand dance music DJ, but a highly successful producer, remixer, songwriter and record label head. The Toronto native, who launched Hi-Bias in 1990, transformed the Canadian dance music industry. His contributions were noted in 1999, when Nick Fiorucci was inducted into The Record's "CanDance" Hall of Fame. As a producer and remixer, his credits include Britney Spears, Celine Dion, TLC, Michelle Branch, Gino Vannelli, Kimberely Locke, Shawn Desman and countless more. With more than 20 years of accumulated wealth in the music business experience and having produced and released countless projects under various pseudonyms, Nick Fiorucci decided to release his own artist album "11:11" late 2007, with singles such as "Need Your Love" and "Nothing Better Than Life" (featuring vocals by JaQe), and his latest, "The Night" and "Every Time You Move" (featuring vocals Kelly Malbasa) further recognizing Fiorucci amongst Canada's hottest dance talent and earning him international Dance music chart topping success.

De ses débuts modestes à Charlemagne, la plus jeune des 14 enfants Dion a atteint le sommet des palmarès mondiaux en vendant plus de 180 millions d'albums à travers le monde. Elle fut la chanteuse pop contemporaine par excellence des années 90 et elle continue de se mériter l'adoration et le respect de ses fans dans ce nouveau millénaire. Son passage à Las Vegas, où elle a présenté "A New Day" pendant 5 ans, fut un énorme succès, et Dion se prépare à présenter sa nouvelle tournée à travers le monde. Taking Chances est son premier album en anglais depuis One Heart, paru en 2003.

Ce musicien franco-ontarien originaire du village de Lafontaine, en Ontario, a remporté une bourse qui lui a permis d'étudier à L'École Nationale de la Chanson. Plus tard, en 2004, il fut finaliste au Festival de la chanson de Granby. Ce festival, ainsi que sa victoire aux Francouvertes de Montréal, l’a aidé à devenir un musicien populaire au Québec. Le premier album de ce chanteur, guitariste et pianiste est paru en 2006 et s'intitule L’homme qui me ressemble.

Daniel Bélanger, qui a atteint la certification platine à plusieurs reprises et a reçu de nombreux prix, est un artiste qui repousse sans cesse les limites avec une musique qui inclut des éléments de folk, de rock et d'électronique. Il a reçu une nomination aux prix Génie en 2000 dans la catégorie de la meilleure chanson originale pour la chanson thème de Le Dernier souffle et fut nommé aux prix Jutra en 2006 pour la meilleure musique pour L’Audition. L’échec du materiel est un album aussi poétique et mélodieux que Rêver mieux, paru en 2001, mais ancré dans les préoccupations et les espoirs du moment.

Au cours des 15 dernières années, la voix riche et résonnante de Boulay a conquis la francophonie. La chanteuse a vendu plus de deux millions d'albums et a offert des tournées au Canada et à travers l'Europe. La beauté de sa Gaspésie natale l'a profondément influencée et elle demeure loyale à ses racines. De retour à la source est son plus récent album.

Depuis la parution de son premier album, Vent Fou, en 1999, cette violoncelliste québécoise a enregistré cinq albums, deux EP, a offert d'innombrables tournées au Canada et s'est produite dans plus de 80 salles d'Europe. Son premier album en anglais, The You And The Now, est paru en 2005. Jorane a collaboré avec des artistes tels Sarah McLachlan, Lisa Germano, John Mellencamp, Simple Minds, Seal, Randy Bachman et Michael Brook. Vers à soi Jorane, son plus récent album, est paru en 2007.

Arcade Fire spent most of 2006 holed up in a small church in a small town outside of Montreal. The group was recording its second album, Neon Bible. From the moment its first album Funeral, was released in September of 2004, it was non-stop. From features in New York Times to performing with David Byrne, U2 and David Bowie, and traveling to Japan, Brazil and Sweden, it was a happy, tiring, surreal and weird time. Then they got to work on the new one — full of both half-assed punk rock mistakes and meticulously orchestrated woodwinds.

Formed in 1984 by long-time friends and songwriting collaborators Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, the group’s first album, 1987’s Outskirts established Blue Rodeo as hit-makers with the single “Try”. Over the next two decades, the band’s studio albums have sold over 3 million copies and it won a wealth of awards. Blue Rodeo’s 11th and latest album, Small Miracles, was recorded in the spring of ‘07 and was produced by the band and Chris Shreenan-Dyck.

When the rock group Finger Eleven released 2003's self-titled disc, the five-piece band could never have imagined that the ballad "One Thing" would hit No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and help propel the CD to gold status in the United States. Four years after its release, the band returned with the Johnny K-produced Them Vs. You Vs. Me, featuring another hit single, the grinding, groovy stomper "Paralyzer".

Hedley's new album, Famous Last Words, shows an edge, a purpose, a defined personality that only comes from experience and development. So while the British Columbia rock band continues its legendary rock 'n roll antics, its music is evolving and maturing to a whole new level from the barreling-rock first single "She's So Sorry", to the follow-up R&B/Soul ballad "For The Nights I Can't Remember". Hedley's 2005 self-titled debut, almost double platinum, yielded five hit singles.

Ce groupe formé à la fin des années 90 a vu sa popularité monter en flèche avec la parution de son premier extrait, Parle-moi d'toi. Ce succès fut suivi de l'album Pop Culture en 2004 puis de l'album Nulle part ailleurs à peine 15 mois plus tard. Le groupe a vendu plus de 200 000 albums. Son plus récent album s'intitule Les saisons s'tassent.