The Pearl Company

An Evening of Kurt Weill: Interpreted by 2^nd Year Mohawk Music! Friday, April 8. Doors: 7:30 / Show: 8:00.The wonderful voices of second year music students from Mohawk College are pleased to present an evening of Kurt Weill. Their performance will showcase the influence Weill had on music created after his time. The evening is sure to be a fun night of fusing past and present sounds! We all know who Sophia Perlman is and what a talent she brings.  This is Sophia’s class; I’ve heard them and they are a talented enthusiastic group itching to show you what they can do.  Don’t disappoint them!

“THIS FOOL’S LIFE”…Robin Benedict & Friends: Friday, April 1. 8:00. Doors: 7:30. Show: 8:00 p.m. $20.00. Told through Comedy, Music and Good Friends! This fool, Robin’s signature style is of raw and fearless vocals, with a distinctly vulnerable cadence, self-deprecating humour, and passion. She packs a powerful punch live. A few high notes: the Video that went viral with 4½ million views; her expansive repertoire of everything from rock, reggae and funk, country, folk and blues; her unique, powerful voice which has drawn international attention, and regular trips to Nashville; and finally there’s her relaxed and humorous stage presence and ability to move a crowd of any size and demographic to their feet. With Robin will be Musical Guests: Walter Cernile / Jamie Cameron; Special Guests: our favourite comedy duo, Erin and Nara with Sarah Farr & Misha Fotos.  Here’s the viral video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVjCZ0IoKUE  Robin singing “What’s Up”: http://youtu.be/kFCCe0hleRA  http://www.robinbenedict.ca/

The Gary Santucci Project: Spanjazz: Friday, March 25. 8:00pm. $20 /$15 students/seniors/wage-challenged.  A collection of musical compositions inspired by world music rhythms performed in a jazz context. Featuring Jordan Abraham – keyboard, Jeff Plumbley – trumpet, Aidan Sibley – trombone, James Gannett – bass, Steve Wilson – drums and Gary Santucci – guitar. All musicians in this newly-formed quintet are highly respected performers in their own fields; the juxtaposition of their different styles and approaches will create the unique sound and experience that is Spanjazz.

LEARNING WITH LEXI PRESENTS: LOVE YOUR VERVE AND FIND YOUR ZING: A March Break Children’s Show! Wednesday, March 16: 10:00am / 2:00pm / 7:00pm. $10 Admission. Love your life and find your ‘get up and go’ is the attitude Lexi brings to her performances. Learning with Lexi (Alexis Rakovac) is a children’s show that promotes the importance of self love, positive thinking, imagination and creativity in your child’s life. She takes the children on a journey. They are encouraged to like themselves, believe in themselves and look to the bright side of life. Through the world of imaginary integrated play and music, we venture into unique situations where children are able to identify their strengths, cope with their challenges, recognize their potential and see that it is okay to step outside their comfort zone and just go for it!!!!
“Children are encouraged to courageously develop life skills for independence and making choices for themselves with confidence. I want so very much to empower all of our children to dare to dream and BELIEVE….” Lexi
“Not only is Lexi an engaging and entertaining personality, she is as genuine as they come.  Our children adore her….”
“She has a special gift for connecting with children and she shares that gift passionately.”
www.learningwithlexi.ca FB: learningwithlexi  learningwithlexi123@gmail.com

Sherman Downey: Saturday, March 12. Doors: 7:30. Showtime: 8:00 PM. $20/$15. With infectious melodies, toe-tapping rhythms, and a story to tell, multiple award-winning Sherman Downey presents his craft with a charm and poignancy that leaves a lasting impression. After releasing his 2009 debut “Honey For Bees”, Sherman took his energetic performances to stages ranging from the Vancouver Olympics to Australia’s Woodford Folk Festival, earning international radio play. His highly anticipated  second release “The Sun In Your Eyes” was awarded MusicNL’s ‘Pop/Rock Recording of the Year’ and earned him Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘SOCAN Songwriter of the Year’ distinction. The album’s first single ‘Thick as Thieves’ won CBC’s inaugural Searchlight Prize and ‘Canada’s Best New Artist’ accolade, while increasing his profile as a touring act and garnering an even broader fan base.
As work begins on his third album, Sherman Downey continues to craft songs that are both whimsical and poignant; performing them with unabashed honesty and has carved out a spot as one of Canada’s must-see acts. www.shermandowney.ca   Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hCg3CtDs9YY

Big Johnny Blue w Special Guest Richard Thornton of The Jack De Keyzer Band: Friday, March 11. 8:00pm, $20 / $15 students/seniors/wage-challenged….  Like the blues?  You’ll love them Big Johnny Blue style. Big Johnny & Strange Cargo welcome Richard Thornton to The Pearl Company for a night of great music and great blues. Richard is the saxaphonist for the Jack De keyzer Band. Big Johnny’s a Hamilton guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and founding member of The Hamilton Blues Society. He has written hundreds of songs, and played with countless local musicians over the years. He is committed to supporting local music and musicians, especially by supporting efforts to tell the story of Hamilton’s blues history, and the power of music to improve the life of every man. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE8p_zRZeIs&index=1&list=PLB3320D903F7A1FCE   https://www.facebook.com/bigjohnnyblueandstrangecargo/

FOR GEORGE 2016: Friday, February 26. Doors 7:30/Show 8:00. Tickets are $15, available at the door and online at ticketscene.ca  A musical event celebrating the life and music of George Harrison featuring local independent musicians and hosted by Christopher Clause. All moneys raised go towards “gracenotes” (musician benevolent fund) and the Debbie Clause Recording Fund. The brand new recording, “THE WORD IS LOVE” will be available at the shows as well as other music and merchandise from the guest artists.
The guests for FOR GEORGE are as follows (line up subject to change):
Kim and Frank Koren
Andy Griffiths
The Wonderwalls featuring James Greenspan, Johnny Mack, Mark Ripp & Taras Skirkos
The Barr Band
Dave Pomfret and more!!!!
Featuring the Kings of Marigold as the backing band for the night:
Chris Jamieson
Michael Scott
Peter Taplay
Bec Jamieson

Gary Santucci: Solo Guitar: Saturday, February 20. 8:00pm. $20 door/$15 income-challenged(Srs/Stdts/etc.) An intimate evening of guitar music from the masterful fingers of one of Canada’s top flamenco guitarists: Selected Classical guitar, World Music, Flamenco, combined with new works from El Santucci. Trained in Spain (and Canada) and playing his unique brand of flamenco and world music for over 35 years, he has become a consummate musician whose repertoire spans numerous genres. Among his awards is Best Classical Musician 1982 [Hamilton Wentworth Council of the Arts],  The City of Hamilton Arts Award for Music 2004, and together with Barbara Milne, The City of Hamilton Arts Award 2008 for Lifetime Achievement.  Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzKBk4LxbRU

VALENTINE SPECIAL! Shari Vandermolen & SWINGLINE: Sunday, February 14. 8:00. $20/$15 students/seniors/income-challenged. Just in time for a romantic Valentine’s evening! SWINGLINE is an inspired and accomplished group of musicians hailing from the greater Hamilton and Toronto areas bringing you big-band jazz standards and a little soulful R & B to round things off.  They originally came together purely for the love of music; it was simply an opportunity to play together and develop new musical connections with other musicians. Now they are in demand and we are lucky to have them for the 14^th.  Shari Vandermolen’s rich vocals filled the niche completing the band and we get to be the listeners and appreciators!  Shari Vandermolen’s recent CD release has kept her busy but she is thrilled to be back at one of her favourite venues with her favourite “little big-band”.  They will have you humming along and tapping your feet all night long giving you that big-band sound you crave!  http://swingline.webs.com/  Listen:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXw_ytuzvFc

THE WORD IS LOVE” – A Celebration of the Beatles’ “Rubber Soul”: Sunday, February 7. 6:30 Doors; 7:00 Show. Admission: $15 / Admission with CD: $20. “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans”. Those two shows that Christopher Clause planned to celebrate the music of the Beatles circa 1965?  But circumstances got in the way?  “Funny how the most beautiful things come from a change in plans. The idea: instead of doing two shows, let’s do an album to celebrate a key Beatles album? Our friends at Grant Avenue Studio graciously donated studio time with Amy King behind the console. We recorded the album in two days plus one afternoon session, mixed it in my home studio and are getting the record together for manufacture. Our friends at the Pearl Company are hosting this early show to celebrate the release of the record on Sunday February 7 (the 52nd anniversary of the Fabs landing in New York for the first time) and all proceeds raised will go towards Gracenotes and the Debbie Clause Recording Fund (which helps fund local music recording projects in the city).“
Our special guests for the evening will include: Melissa Marchese, Steve Parton, Tommy Gunn, Matthew de Zoete, The Barr Band, The Redhill Valleys, Lena Montecalvo, Fred Magie, Sharon Washington, Andy Griffiths, Alfonso Spoto (the Acoustics), Gary Santucci, Kim and Frank Koren, Chris Jamieson, Michael Scott, Peter Taplay, Jen Budd, Bec Jamieson, and Christopher Clause.
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Gregory Hoskins & Kevin Breit: Saturday, January 30: 8:00. $20 door/$15 artists/students/un(der)waged.  Acclaimed singer/songwriter Gregory Hoskins performs ‘songs of muscular sorrow’ drawn from his 25 year career. Not only that, he does it with two-time JUNO Award winner Kevin Breit.  Kevin is one of the most innovative and enigmatic guitarists that Canada has ever produced. Known for his diversity, fluidity and creativity, Breit is at home performing Jazz, Blues, World and more. As one of the most in demand guitarists in North America, Breit has recorded and /or toured with Norah Jones, Rosanne Cash, k.d. Lang, Hugh Laurie…. http://www.kevinbreit.com/   Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH0-0cXHHs4
Gregory Hoskins’ career has spanned 22 years, eight albums. Remember Gregory Hoskins and The Stickpeople on the legendary True North label?   Hoskins, (“….. depth, complexity, and sincerity …inspired and 100% original!”) has appeared with Sarah McLachlan, The Indigo Girls, Bruce Cockburn, and folk-legend Odetta among many others. He also works with First Nations artists and arts organizations, as well as with media artist Cheryl L’Hirondelle in her ongoing creation project with women in prison. www.gregoryhoskins.com   https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=dmmUmr0EBKY

David Woodhead’s Confabulation: January 22, 8:00. $20/$15. Bassist and multi-instrumentalist David Woodhead is one of the most accomplished of Canadian musicians and his genre-defying (mostly) instrumental supergroup, Confabulation, is a thrill-ride for players and audiences alike. David has played on more than 200 albums. He was the bassist for folk legend Stan Rogers. He’s played with Loreena McKennitt, Valdy, Sneezy Waters, Brent Titcomb, Scott Merritt, jazz ensemble Manteca. He regularly tours with James Keelaghan. Confabulation’s musical eclecticism features: harp-like fingerstyle ukulele picking, klezmer-like horns, a few intriguing time signatures and some unexpected chord changes. The line-up: keyboardist Doug Wilde (Leonard Cohen, Jane Siberry, Manteca), drummer Rich Greenspoon (Njacko Backo, Stewed Tomatoes, Betty and the Bobs), reeds player Colleen Allen (Anne Murray, Rita MacNeil, Gino Vannelli, Ani DiFranco, Molly Johnson) and guitarist Bob Cohen (Jesse Winchester,Tim Hardin).
The quintet combines Woodhead’s sophisticated-yet-accessible compositions with the odd dramatic interpretation of Rudyard Kipling and nod to Peter Gabriel.  Their shows merge outstanding musicianship with spontaneity, whimsy, and the musical chops to take them in whatever direction they’re moved to go. . http://www.davidwoodhead.com/ The Confabulation: http://www.davidwoodhead.com/confabulation.html Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m62zRUT9u4M

Shari Vandermolen with SWINGLINE: Saturday, January 16. 8:00. $20/$15 students/seniors/income-challenged.  SWINGLINE is an inspired and accomplished group of musicians hailing from the greater Hamilton and Toronto areas bringing you big-band jazz standards and a little soulful R & B to round things off.  They originally came together purely for the love of music with no ongoing commitment to “join the band”; it was simply an opportunity to play together and develop new musical connections with other musicians.   It was through these connections that Shari Vandermolen’s rich vocals came to the group – she filled the final niche completing the band and SwingLine was born.  Shari Vandermolen’s recent CD release has kept her busy but she is thrilled to be back at one of her favourite venues with her favourite “little big-band” SwingLine.  They will have you humming along and tapping your feet all night long giving you that big-band sound you crave!  http://swingline.webs.com/  Listen:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXw_ytuzvFc

Another Jazzy New Year @ The Pearl! Thursday, December 31, 8:00 ‘til ?  $60 per person.  Fab entertainment and a great buffet. The entertainment will be a brilliant collection of super-gifted jazz musicians. We promise fun people, great conversations, musical magic, and lots of dancing before, between, and after the jazz sets!
To welcome in the New Year:
Chef Gary Santucci will outdo himself (as always) with a pan-global buffet; new dishes arrive throughout the night.
There will be two sets from the collection of jazz artists assembled for the evening:
Featuring: The Spanjazz ensemble! Check out the all-star line-up! The Spanjazz Quintet this year includes Aidan Sibley – trombone, James Gannet – bass, Jordan Abraham – keyboards, Jeff Plumbley – trumpet, Gary Santucci on guitar, and Steve Wilson on drums.  Wow is the word.  Dancing between sets and lots of food and interesting beverages will round out the evening.
Dancing between sets. (Musical requests?)

We need you to RSVP: Buy tickets online, via email, or phone.  We sold out last year so let us know as soon as you do!
In our warm, welcoming ‘lofty’ atmosphere!

The Koren Family Christmas! Monday, December 21 at 7:00pm: $10 / With a Food or Cash Donation. Broadcast Live to Air on Cable 14. The Koren Family with The Pearl Company will be hosting an evening of music and much, much, more that evening. All proceeds (food and cash) will be forwarded to Hamilton Food Share (non-perishable donations will be received at the door). Kim, Frank, Marrakech and Jordan Koren will be your musical hosts!!  The musical line-up to date is impressive: Duane Rutter, Hachey the MouthPEACE, Christopher Clause, Leonard Burns and Dell, Erin and Nara, Sharon Washington, Robin Benedict, Melissa Marchese, Matt King, Andreas, and Katie Harbour. And, returning, Harrison Kennedy! A few more may be announced in the next couple of weeks…. Be charmed and delighted by this beautiful family event while helping those in need.
Buy Tickets: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/14480  Event:  https://www.facebook.com/events/1505450543062890/?ref=br_tf 
Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_4F90lmGQY