Artists Performing at Tuza Festival of Music and Arts, April 15-18, 2004

Thursday April 15th

Lazo and the Radikals: Juno 2000 Award Winner. Lazo has since toured extensively in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean sharing the stage with artists such as Maxi Priest, Burning Spear, Third World and the Wailers to name a few. Relocating to Toronto he created the "Lazo Band" releasing the well received EP "Satisfaction Guaranteed" for which he was awarded Top Reggae Performer of the Year in 1993 at the internationally recognized Canadian Reggae Music Awards . Lazo subsequently produced two solo CD's "Something Real" ( nominated for a Juno Award in 1995) and Impetus (which received the honour of being the first independent album to chart on Vancouver's Z95.3 TOP 30) for the Washington D.C. based RAS records becoming the first Canadian artist to be signed by the label. In 1998 Lazo teamed up with Toronto musician/ producer Sam Welder forming "The Radikals" as his backing band and has won the year 2000 Juno Award for Best Reggae Recording for the album "Heart and Soul". RANG is honored to have Lazo and the Radikals perform on the powerful TUZA series launch night.

King Sunshine: The King Sunshine Collective is Toronto's premiere live house music experience. They have the ability to fuse soulful sounds, with their original material, and to incorporate other musical styles, such as jazz, soul, and gems of past eras. This group provides new colors to the spectrum of sound, and inspires their audience to dance and simply cherish the music! King Sunshine has a dedicated following, and is sure to elicit a most enthusiastic and appreciative response.

Deborah Alison: has written all of the tracks on her upcoming CD, “In Touch.” She has performed throughout Canada and most recently performed at the Jamaican Canadian Centre at the “Missing Pages of History” Black History event.  Deborah believes in giving back to her community and is the co-founder of Why We Are Here, a local community youth organization. 

Maracatu Nunca Antes: The power of Maracatu Nunca Antes is in its rousing performance of Brazilian rhythms, focusing on Maracatu de Baque Virado, a style of percussion based music from Recife, Brasil. This young band, full of energy and talent, uses traditional instruments such as berimbau, pandeiro, caixa, mineiro, shekere, alfaia, gongue, Brazilian hand drums, and blends them with popular culture songs and dance.

Sam Burke: Sam Burke brings to all his spoken word perfomances his vast knowledge of literature, his own performance background, and his longstanding dedication to the community. He is the owner of Sam Burke's Bookstore on St. Clair West, Toronto.

Friday April 16th

Jackie Washington, Mose Scarlett, Ken Whiteley: Jackie Washington is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Arts Council, was inducted into the Canadian Jazz and Blues Hall of Fame, and recently was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from McMaster University. He has performed with Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Clark Terry, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGhee and Lonnie Johnson. Jackie's repertoire goes back to the twenties; he knows well over 1200 songs! His outstanding musicianship and his ability to "get a joint jumpin' and to light up the world" make for a memorable musical night.

Mose Scarlett: Mose is an internationally acclaimed finger-picking guitarist who has traveled across Canada, England, Australia, Germany and the USA. He has made appearances on a wide variety of records, radio and TV. He brings to the trio his warmth, humor, and fine musical talent.

Ken Whiteley has been called “Canada's Pete Seegar.” Ken has a vast repertoire, plays over a dozen instruments, and has performed in over 100 recordings, in festivals and solo in clubs all over North America, andreceived 6 Juno nominations. His range of styles includes swing, blues, gospel, jazz and folk. Together they create a magic that "just makes you feel great.”

Margaret Stowe's 'S Women in Blues: BLUES AND BEYOND. Modern, traditional and original music. MUSICIANS: Colleen Allen, saxophone; Brandi Disterheft, acoustic bass; Michelle Josef, drums, percussion; Lily Sazz, keyboards; Margaret Stowe, guitar, musical director. FEATURED VOCALISTS: Miss Angel, Diana Braithwaite, and s.h.a.r.(o).n.

Margaret Stowe is a jazz-based, multi-stylistic guitarist and bandleader. She has performed in musical theatre including London's Grand Theatre, The National Arts Center, Ottawa, and the Limelight Theatre, Toronto. She has worked with Orchestra Toronto, the London, Edmonton and Kitchener Symphony Orchestras, Brass Roots, the Canadian Modernaires Orchestra, the Jazz Writer's Workshop, and the Swing Sisters. She has performed all over Canada and Europe and has played with many artists including Mose Scarlett, Daisy DeBolt, Ellen McIlwaine, Tony Quarrington, Georgette Fry, Rita Chiarelli, Suzie Vinnick, Cheryl Lescom, Big Rude Jake and a host of others. Currently she can be found playing with Margaret Stowe Groups, S'Women In Blues, Chill Factory, Hot Latkes Klezmer Band, The Toronto Blues Society Women's Blues Revue Band, Missa Gaia Jazz Ensemble, Michael Keys, the incomparable Daisy DeBolt. She has 2 CDs of original music, Resonance and Things I Do, and can be found on new recordings by Mose Scarlett, Daisy DeBolt and Bev Glenn/Copeland. In 2003 she studied with Robert Fripp in Spain and hung out with the Funk Brothers. Visit www.margaretstowe.com. Margaret Stowe's 'S Women in Blues with vocalists Diana Braithwaite, Miss Angel and s.h.a.r.(o).n. will be a memorable musical treat at the April 16th festival concert.

Miss Angel. Mississippi-born Miss Angel has often been seen performing powerful blues songs with the legendary Mel Brown, and has appeared on his CD Neck Bone & Caviar. Angel began her singing career by singing in her school and church choirs. Her influences include Bessie Smith, Dinah Washington, Odetta and Koko Taylor. In 1998 she released her CD If You Could See and she's currently working on a new solo CD. Angel was recently a featured vocalist at Kevin Doyle's Grand Ladies of the Blues in Kitchener. "In subtle style and graceful form, Miss Angel's delivery of the blues commands attention...". She's the "real deal", and will delight the audience at the Trane Studio, on April 16th.

Diana Braithwaite: Starting her singing career at the age of four, Diana began first appearing on stage with her two brothers Cecil, Victor and sister Charlane as the group sang and performed gospel and country blues songs. Over the years, she has shared the bill with great blues entertainers, including John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Gordie Johnson of Big Sugar, Jeff Healey, and Robert Cray. Recently, Diana recorded with Jack De Keyzer, Alec Fraser, Ed White, Kingsley Etienne and Dougie Richardson. In 1999, Diana was chosen as one of four from four hundred best singer songwriters to open the Lilith Fair Music Festival in Toronto hosted by Sarah McLachlan. A songwriter as well as vocalist, Diana's original blues songs Bad Luck Man and Blame it on the Bourbon were featured on the soundtrack for the Gemini Award Winning film, “Gracie.” In 2001, Diana recorded a Christmas Single “ “All through the Year,” featuring Toronto's veteran sax player Dougie Richardson. Diana's newest CD, “Blues Dance,” features a big city selection of original blues standards and rockin' blues songs that keep the tradition of blues going on!

s.h.a.r.(o).n. Sharon Brooks is a young, emerging powerful singer/songwriter with heart, which comes from her musical gifts, related experience, and from her own life's challenges and growth. The Caribbean-born, Montreal-based artist has performed internationally, from Beijing to Toronto, from the Caribbean to Los Angeles. She was introduced to the professional stage at 16, touring with well-known soca, reggae and dance-hall acts from the Caribbean. Her debut album, "A Taste of Life," released in September 2000, encompasses her passion for funk, soul, jazz, R&B and gospel, fused with her native Calypso. It received air play in Barbados and Toronto and sold over 300 copies independently and continues to be showcased. On the MP3.com charts, “Out of My Mind,” “Say Goodbye,” “Weak,” “Slide” and “Music” have repeatedly been at the number one spot in the Soul, R&B and Smooth Jazz Genres.

Pan Vibrations Steel Band: The Pan Vibrations Steel Band is a student steel band group of 20 performers. This student band has performed at Harbourfront, at clubs throughout Toronto, and at many local and provincial festivals. They are an extraordinary group of musicians who have the ability to fuse their own style with jazz and at this RANG concert, with both jazz and blues influences. They are a gifted, energetic and unique troupe, and will perform on the night of April 16th.

Circular Fusion Fire Performance Art: is a spinning performer who learned the fire dancing craft in England. He has performed, with his troupe Circular Fusion, at the Winter City festivities at Nathan Philips Square, on "The Toronto Show" in a synchronized poi perfomance,  and at The Designs 'N Ice Festival (Yonge and Dundas Square). Davy performed with Circus Orange, in a profound show that incorporated fire, ice and pyrotechniques with a tangible storyline. Circular Fusion has thrilled audiences with their b lacklight performance at "The Vatican for the Alchemy Film Festival".   Circular Fusion performances are an event to remember!

Saturday April 17th

Charles Mack Band: Chicago. The Charles Mack Band will be performing on April 17th. With over 20 years of experience, ranging from free-lance artist to management professional, Charles Mack has dedicated his career to excellence within the field music. From classical and contemporary jazz to blues, R&B, and hip-hop, Charles' virtuosity transcends genres. As a freelance musician, Charles has performed with the alternative rock group, Inflatable Soule (managed by Silver Management of Sound Garden fame); the rap group Cypress Hill; Blues and R&B artist Otis Rush, Otis Taylor, Lucky Peterson and numerous jazz ensembles. Charles currently serves as permanent bassist for Chicago-based Contemporary Jazz artist Carlos Cannon and has just completed a North American tour with Grammy Award winner James Cotton. Scheduled CD release date is April 9, 2003.

George Elliot Clarke is the winner of two Governor General Awards, and the author of six books. A seventh-generation Canadian of African-American and Mi'kmaq Amerindian heritage, he has studied at the University of Waterloo, Dalhousie, and Queen's. Mr. Clarke is an enigmatic and charismatic literary tour-de-force whose contribution to Canadian literature has been incalculable. Mr. Clarke will be reading on Saturday, April 17th.

Levitasyon: Levi Loblack was already a star on his native island of Dominica long before he and Paula Letang co-founded LÉVITASYON in Toronto in 1995. First with the Swinging Stars, and later a solo artist, Loblack explored Caribbean rhythms and music on a series of best selling albums and singles. LÉVITASYON's main goal is to promote French Creole music to North America by introducing their style of Zouk (Zoo-k) & Kompa (Kom-pa) music to audiences worldwide. To date, Lévitasyon has released two CDS, "Nou KaWoulé" (We Are Rolling) and "Ba Yo Sa!!!" (Give Them This) as well the group is featured on a French-Creole music compilation out of France called "World of Zouk", with their 2002 Canadian Urban Music Award Nominated song "Mésaj An Boutey" (Message in A Bottle). The band enjoys regular radio rotation on stations across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Being one of the first French Creole music groups to be nominated in Canada's 2002 Urban Music Awards has been a culmination of many years of hard work and promotion of this wonderful musical sound. This enthusiasm is revisited every time LÉVITASYON performs live.

Lizzy Mahashe is a singer, dancer, teacher and composer, the winner of the Black Label Artist Coalition Award for her contributions to the African music scene, as well as the Toronto African Music Award for Best Female Performer. Ms. Mahashe has also won the Toronto African Music Award Certificate for Best Band of the year (Siyakha band, South Africa). RANG is honoured to have Lizzy Mahashe perform on April 17th.

Queen Tiyessntial: Born in the sign of the poet, Queen Tiyessential is a 19-year old ageless “riot-in-training.” If not caught reading or writing on the TTC she can be found performing spoken word in shows around Toronto, running track, or hosting “News Now” on CHRY 105.5 FM (with Isis). She has been writing ever since she taught herself to read. Her tales touch on society, love, spirituality, death, life and rebirth. Open your eyes and minds to this fab fem working on our collective rise.

Brian Gladstone brings a unique blend of folk, roots, blues and country to the performance stage. He has shared the stage with Tom Rush, Josh White Jr., Jack de Keyser, Ian Tamblyn, Michael Pickett, Tony Quarrington, Ron Nigrini, Norm Hacking, Terry Tufts, Shane Simpson, and many more. He created the annual 3-day Winterfolk Festival in early 2003, bringing together musicians from across North America in a series of concerts, workshops and media events. His three album releases, Back to the Dirt (1999) Psychedelic Pholk Psongs (2001) and Alive & Picking (2003), have attracted exceptionally high praise both at home and overseas. He has also become active in philanthropic and environment causes, creating and producing a number of high-profile concerts and events for Earth Day and Folk Singers for Peace. The Tuza Festival is pleased to have Brian playing on Saturday, April 17th as well as the afternoon of Sunday, April 18th.

Sunday April 18th

Walkingdream: featuring poet, musician and actor Ray Johnny: For the past ten years, Ray Johnny has been traveling both in the United States and Canada as a performance artist, blending the unique qualities of his voice and music with his rich visual style of poetry and storytelling. Ray began to offer his unique vocal harmonies and intonations to patients at a major hospital medical center in the United States where he founded and directed a program that used music, aboriginal tonal sounds and overtones to help all who asked to find comfort and self-healing. Performing poetry, aboriginal tonal sounds, music and drama, Walkingdream offers unique performances that touch and open the hearts of the listening audience.

Paul Gellman is a singer/songwriter whose music combines elements or jazz, rock, folk, country and world music.  He plays piano, guitar and violin and sings his own tunes as well as those of his favourite artists.  He was a member of Perth County Conspiracy, recently performing with the group at reunion concerts at Hugh's Room, and he also formed and led the band Island on the West Coast in the late 70's.

Visual arts: Photography by Alex Katz , Clint Adam Smyth and Michelle Pritchard . Paintings by Janice Colman . Selected works curated by Grace Diaz of Artistic Impressions , fine art from Africa and the Caribbean. Sculpture by David Woodward. Other artists TBA.