Interviews

"We're always watching the dancers and responding to them - sometimes closely following the actions with musical cues, at other times creating a dynamic and textural sense of the emotion in the dance through the music. On the other hand, the dancers are listening to us and responding, taking their timing cues from us sometimes." Read More »

"I want singers to dig deep into their potential, to strive to be the greatest musicians they can be, to sing with integrity, unapologetically into the world" Read More »

Those who saw the Shaolin Afronauts last year shouldn't expect the sequel to be just a repeat of the original. "We didn't want to repeat anything that we had used; we wanted this to be a completely new experience for the listener", says Ross McHenry. "This time, we've actually written a lot more new material; we're working towards a new album so it was a bit of an opportunity to 'try some new material". Read More »

"There is undeniably an underrepresentation of women across all aspects of the music industry. You can't be what you can't see." Read More »

"I wanted to surround myself with musicians that made me want to play. I would have been happy just to sit back listen to them play together in that setting. Apart from how easy I find it to make music with them, they all have strong personal voices and I wanted them to put their own mark on my tunes, which they did". Read More »

"Everything I write has an element of jazz in it. It's a flavour, it's spice, it's warmth, it's colour that no other music can give. Jazz is probably what I'll still be able to do if I ever lose some of my other faculties." Read More »

"This is a very gentle album were releasing and its a gentle sounding ensemble. I dont believe I would have been writing this kind of music, or certainly an albums worth and more of this kind of music, if it hadnt have been for having kids. Partly it came about from sheer tiredness." Read More »

"The fact that I'm interested in his music should come as no surprise, as he is a truly great songwriter, and most jazz musicians love great songs. The only difference between Dylan and say Jerome Kern is the musical and lyrical structure of Dylans work, which tends to narrative and abstraction, often in strophic form. But there are plenty of examples of more lyrical songs as well." 'Just Like a Woman', 'Lay, Lady Lay', 'Forever Young', 'Don't Think Twice', 'It's all over now, baby blue'...the list goes on and on. Read More »

To be Canadian is to be a mix of cultures from around the globe, and thats exactly what our jazz music is. For me, at least. Read More »

" I think my stage persona is just a more magnified version of myself. It's important for me that the audience feel connected and involved. I don't just want to sing 'at' them. I like having a bit of a chat...and yes, sometimes the chatter does get a little cheeky, but I don't think the audience mind! If the audience are at ease, relaxed and happy...then so am I! It's also about the songs. Each song has a story...I love being the storyteller." Read More »