Artist Profiles


SUNDAY, JULY 26 JazzNight


 


Brian MacDonald Group



The Brian MacDonald Group is an energetic and exciting jazz
trio made up of a younger generation of local Pictou County musicians.
Consisting of Brian MacDonald on guitar, Lloyd White on acoustic bass,
and Alex Lank on drums, the Brian MacDonald group will be playing a
broad range of styles, including jazz standards, Latin tunes, and even
some arrangements of contemporary pop hits.



      Emma Vickers    The Vickers-Pond Duo

This bass and vocal duo consists of Emma Vickers and Chris Pond. Emma is a vocalist from Bathurst, New Brunswick and is entering her third year as a vocal student in St.Francis Xavier University's Bachelor of Music program. Vickers began singing at age three in church and school choirs before beginning voice lessons in her high school years. In the past Emma has focused on various genres such as classical, musical theatre and traditional folk music. Currently she is singing mainly jazz and popular music in her duo with Chris Pond.



Chris Pond is a bassist and composer from Conception Bay South, Newfoundland. He is a deans list student in St.Francis Xavier's Bachelor of Music program where he is currently entering his final year of studies. He has been writing music since his early teens; drawing inspiration from classical composers, as well as pop and electronic music. In 2015, Chris was invited by jazz educator Jim Lewis to participate in the National “TD Jazz Youth Summit” held in Ottawa, where he received a "Stingray Rising Stars" scholarship to support his future studies. In July 2015, Chris Pond and Emma Vickers recorded an album along with Tyler Martin which displays his personal approach to jazz; a minimalist style, focusing on the importance of melodicism and a compelling storyline.

 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 9

FUNFEST Concert Under the Stars

 

The Decostes

Children’s Entertainment
 


Layne Greene Band

 

Layne Greene was born and raised in rural Blue Mountain, Nova Scotia. Fascinated by sound from a young age, it came as no surprise when Layne began writing and recording music.

Backed by drummer Alex Lank and guitarist Bryan MacDonald, Layne entered the studio late in June 2014 to record his first album "Everywhere Around Here", produced by Dale Murray and featuring appearances by Christina Martin and Fleur Mainville.
 
 


Next Exit


 

Next Exit Is A 4 Piece, East Coast Cover Band, Based Out Of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Band Consists Of: Dave Wright (Vocals & Guitar) Jason Conway (Vocals & Bass) Matt Kenny (Vocals & Lead Guitar,) and Brandon MacDonald (drums). Their Music Repertoire Crosses Various Genres From: Rock, Country, Pop, Maritime And More…With The Guys All Coming From Different Musical Backgrounds, And All Being Highly Proficient In Multi–Style’s Of Music, They Blend It All Together, And It Makes For A Very Diverse, High Energy, Crowd Pleasing, Good Time.


 Check out Next Exit's website for all of their latest updates


 

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16


MingoStarr

 
MingoStarr is a young 4 piece rock and roll band from Pictou county Nova Scotia. MingoStarr consists of Aldo Oursi (Vocals), Nic Mingo (Bass), Nathan Maclean (Guitar) and Dylan Campbell (Drums). Playing covers of everything from Arctic monkeys and Red hot chilli peppers to Radiohead and Queen MingoStarr have done it all. A young band that loves performing and everything about music, MingoStarr is an act with something for everyone to enjoy
 



Geraldine
 

Geraldine is a rock outfit created with the sole intention of sounding
as high school as possible. Featuring original material as well as
several covers, the also band features the instrument-swapped stylings
of Lloyd White and Cassie Mann on guitars, Alex Lank on bass, and
Jesse MacPherson on drums.

 

Pipe Dreams

Pipe Dreams are a four piece emo rock band from Charlottetown, PEI that formed in the late summer of 2013. The line-up consists of vocalist Duncan Williams, drummer Jordan Ward, bassist Andrew MacInnis, and guitarist Josh Buttery. The band shaped its beginning when founding member Duncan Williams relocated from Nova Scotia to PEI with the goal of captivating the local music community with a fresh sound.

Pipe Dreams find influence from overcoming the struggles of everyday life. Each member has a different musical background but the group is collectively influenced by emotionally and rhythmically driven music. Some of their musical influences include acts such as Taking Back Sunday, Paramore, and Ten Second Epic.

Since their formation, Pipe Dreams have released a single and music video for their song “I Thought That I Should Tell You”. Local traction has garnered the band the opportunity to tour Atlantic Canada three times, as well as perform at Vans Warped Tour Festival in Montreal in the summer of 2014.

In January 2015, Pipe Dreams recorded a three song concept EP titled “So We Can Strive”. The EP was recorded in Charlottetown at The Studio At The Guild by renowned producer and musician David Rashed. The release’s concept is based on striving to overcome the struggles of everyday life and was released on March 24th, 2015.

 

Check out Pipe Dreams' Website

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 JazzNight


Cassie Mann Group

 

This group contains three former/current St. F. X Music students hailing from Pictou County, Bryan MacDonald (guitar), Cassie Mann (bass) and Ian Grant (drums). Originally forming in early 2014, this dynamic trio plays a variety of jazz standards and arrangements. Bryan MacDonald is a local musician who studied jazz at St. F. X under Owen Stewart-Robertson and Tom Daniels. With the guidance of Al Sutherland, he continued to gig and study with musicians from NRHS. These days he can be found playing with singer songwriter, Layne Greene and other local artists. Ian Grant is a local jazz musician and Alumni of St. F. X. While attending X, he studied under Terry O'Mahoney and Mark Adam. Currently, after completion of a Music Education Degree from Memorial University in St. John's, he teaches in the area in the school system, as well as privately. Ian is an active musician in the community, ranging in styles from jazz to orchestral music. Cassie Mann has been performing since she was just three years old and has been playing the bass since she was 13. Cassie is a second year student at St. Francis Xavier University where she is studying music under Tom Easley. She has played in many groups of different styles including pop punk/rock/folk/jazz and also performs her own original music.


Alex Lank & Chris Pond Experience

The Chris Pond/Alex Lank Experience is a genre-bending
aural adventure that is sure to excite listeners of any background.
Featuring Chris Pond on bass, Alex Lank on drums, and an all-star
lineup of St. FX students and alumni, this group will be playing a
slew of original compositions and arrangements that defy
classification, challenge conventions, and boggle the mind.



If you have any questions send Ashley Williams an email!





 

 




 

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