Five Alberta Artists Gather to Share Their Songs and Stories

Ryan Langlois Hosts Horizon Stage’s Inaugural Singer Songwriter Night on Saturday, March 7

Enjoy an intimate evening exploring the art and craft of songwriting. Hosted by Alberta songwriter Ryan Langlois, this Singer Songwriter Night will feature a panel of four guest artists - Mark Times, Hannah Gazso, Maddison Krebs, and Martin Kerr - all of whom are passionate about telling stories through music. In the tradition of the world-famous songwriter rounds of Nashville, and many festival side-stages, each will share backstories and insight into their writing process. Each will play a few of their favourite songs, and will be challenged to perform a cover of someone else’s work in their own stripped-down style. Singer Songwriter Night with Ryan Langlois at Horizon Stage on Saturday, March 7 promises to be filled with laughter, behind-the-scenes turmoil, and vulnerability – any of which can be the basis of a good song.

The former lead singer of The Boom Chucka Boys, Ryan Langlois’ solo career has earned him three Alberta Country Music Award nominations, and second place in the Project Wild Country Artist Development Program in 2018. He is a barstool balladeer who can turn ordinary moments into lessons in wisdom and grace. Every time he takes the stage, he gives all he has to offer, and something special happens.

Hannah Gazso is a 16 year old singer-songwriter from Ardrossan. Her passion lies in storytelling, and she loves to share her music with anyone who will listen. She has a homegrown coffeehouse country style that is sure to catch your attention. Back from her third trip to Nashville, she is looking forward to what this year will bring her!

Maddison Krebs, a singer-songwriter from Southern Alberta, got her first guitar when she was six so she could put her poetry to music.  She won ole Media Management’s "On The Spot" competition and signed a publishing and record deal in 2016. She has performed at Big Valley Jamboree, Canadian Music Week, Folk Alliance International, Calgary Stampede and The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville. Her single "Real Real Thing" charted in the Top 40 on Radio Disney Country and her EP, Bulls-Eye, reached Top 6 on iTunes Country music chart.

Mark Times from Stony Plain is a novelist with a Gibson, plucking stories from the windswept prairies and humming to the slow clack of typewriter keys. His work is the product of raw emotion filtered through a thoughtful process, distilling songs that are just the right amount of head and heart. His self-titled 2017 EP earned him nominations for the Singer/Songwriter and Roots/Folk Recording of the Year at the Edmonton Music Awards, while the track “Saskatchewine” received an honourable mention in the Canadian Songwriting Competition.

Edmonton-based singer-songwriter Martin Kerr built his career as a busker. He has been an independent musician for 10 years and has achieved some incredible things during that time, including selling out the Winspear Centre twice and landing an album in the Canadian Top 10. Often compared to James Taylor, Kerr's powerful voice and intricate songwriting has earned him praise from the likes of Sarah McLachlan and Bruce Cockburn. His song ‘You’re Amazing’ has been the soundtrack to summer festivals where the audience joins in for the line “I’m not bad myself but you’re amazing.”

If you’ve ever wanted to know the stories behind the songs don’t miss Singer Songwriter Night with Ryan Langlois at Horizon Stage on Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are just $25 for everyone and they may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online through Ticketpro.ca.

Good, Honest, Authentic, Country Music. No Filters. No Gimmicks.

The Abrams Sing About Deeply Personal Yet Widely Relatable Subjects at Horizon Stage on February 22

These days, a lot of what we experience has been carefully curated, filtered and targeted. It seems we’ve become desensitized by it, especially where every little social interaction and every mundane object is glossed up to look #instagood. But when The Abrams play live, what you see is what you get. Still in their 20s, brothers John and James Abrams have the hard-earned ability of seasoned touring veterans. They perform with an explosive energy, honed over two decades of experience in front of audiences around the world. Their live show is the kind that can’t be whipped up over a few weeks in a rehearsal space. The Abrams make honest music and they are looking forward to sharing it, Up Close and Personal, at Horizon Stage on Saturday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m.

This country duo from Kingston, Ontario, are something of an anomaly, having performed at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and embarked on repeated tours across multiple continents. With their acceptance of the Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin award in 2006, they were recognized as ambassadors for peace in the Middle East through music. All of this took place before they reached legal driving age.

The Abrams' 18-year touring career has had a significant influence on their songwriting, which continues to have a lasting emotional impact with their fans across cultural divides, whether they are playing in a community hall in Texas, or at a world music festival in Israel. John and James’ most recent songs speak about experiences of love and loss, through good times and tough times, partly drawn from their long-term relationships with their wife and girlfriend respectively, who support them through the successes and difficulties that come with a touring lifestyle.

As the 4th generation in a line of songwriters, performers, and recording artists who instilled in them the ability to tell stories that speak to the hearts of their fans, the Abrams have taken the ‘family business’ to a whole new level. Their newest album is full of songs that are both deeply personal, and widely relatable, led by the first single “Sounds Good To Me”, produced by Matt Rovey (Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson). "Sounds Good To Me” is all about the little things. The real and honest things. The simple moments in life that end up being everything we live for, especially with the people we love.”

While these brothers have gone through many different stages of their career, two things have always been true: their deep and intrinsic love of country music, and the fact that they cannot remember life before they started making country music. It has simply always been there, and they have always been doing it. Knowing what they can accomplish in the studio, and how to translate that to the stage, The Abrams have taken their place alongside Canada’s best-known country music stars.

To put it plainly, The Abrams are as authentic as it gets. There is nothing to hide here. No tricks. No gimmicks. No smoke and mirrors. No filters. The Abrams just make good honest music. If you’re a country music fan don’t miss their concert at Horizon Stage on Saturday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for students and seniors.  Tickets may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online through Ticketpro.ca.

Give Your Love the Gift of Heart and Soul with a Touch of Cole

Local Jazz Band to Perform the Unforgettable Music of Natalie and Nat King Cole on February 15

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Horizon Stage with A Touch of Cole. This Edmonton-based jazz band highlights the timeless music of Natalie and Nat King Cole.  Paying tribute to the unforgettable musical legacy of both father and daughter, they weave together a collection of “Cole” standards to take the audience on a musical journey that spans from jazz and Latin to modern blues and soul.  With a vision to uplift and inspire their audiences, A Touch of Cole performance provides a captivating experience for music lovers of all ages.  Audiences will also enjoy classic jazz standards from artists such as Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nina Simone. Spend a romantic night with A Touch of Cole at Horizon Stage on Saturday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.

A Touch of Cole features the vocal styling of Edmontonian Shelley Jones accompanied by Wes Caswell on bass, Wes Yaciuk on guitar, Bruce Mohacsy  on piano, and Sandro Dominelli on drums. The group has performed together as a trio and a quintet and they have sold out both Festival Place and the Yardbird Suite.

Blessed with a voice that can seamlessly fit into almost any musical genre, Shelley Jones brings a sense of authenticity and soul to every song she sings. Be it jazz, blues, pop, R&B, soul, groove, rock or country, Shelley has sang it all and made each style her own.  Growing up in rural Alberta listening and singing along to her four older siblings’ music collections, Shelley first discovered jazz after entering the vocal music program at Grant MacEwan. After graduation she began performing jazz professionally, working in duos, trios, quartets and big bands as well as a few symphony orchestras. Some of her performance highlights include being a guest vocalist with Tommy Banks at the Winspear Centre, performing with Alfie Zappacosta, and singing background vocals for Tom Cochrane. Shelley also regularly performs alongside some of Alberta’s top musicians including PJ Perry, Sandro Dominelli, Andrew Glover, and Don Berner.

Shelley has also developed her songwriting skills; writing, recording, and releasing four solo albums and a Christmas CD with the Flextime Band.  She has appeared as a guest vocalist on numerous recordings from other artists and has sang several radio/television jingles. As a highly experienced stage performer with a warm, personable and captivating stage delivery, Shelley continues to expand her fan base across the country.

Give your love the gift of heart and soul with a Touch of Cole at Horizon Stage on Saturday, February 15 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $35 for adults and $30 for students and seniors.  Tickets may be purchased at the City Hall Ticket Centre (315 Jespersen Ave), by phone at 780-962-8995 or 1-888-655-9090, and online through ticketpro.ca.