The Pearl Company

An Evening with Ryan Van Sickle: Saturday, January 3; 8:00pm. $20 at the door: Born and raised in Dundas, and having travelled the USA, Ryan Van Sickle rocks The Pearl with his 4^th annual “Let’s Welcome the New Year!” show! The man is an excellent singer/songwriter whose yearly visit we enjoy enormously.  Writing songs of character and integrity that resound with the timeless and universal, Ryan Van Sickle uniquely translates the themes of love, war, life and death and the epic and mundane struggles within. Following in the steps of the masters from his native Canada, Ryan draws on the influences of Neil Young, Daniel Lanois, and Leonard Cohen alongside American greats Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, and Lucinda Williams. With the release of his latest album Ghosts Of The Brokenhearted, Ryan emerges as a powerful songwriter; asserting his prowess in building a lyrical highway with a strong voice to carry listeners on the journey. http://ryanvansicklemusic.com/  Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmBiU67-2q8

Come Fill Your Soul with Jazz & Dance Your Heart Into The New Year @ The Pearl!

Wednesday, 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 will arrive throughout the night.
• There will be two sets from the incredible collection of jazz artists assembled for the evening and
• 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!

Featuring: The Spanjazz ensemble! Check out the all-star line-up! The Spanjazz Quintet includes Jay Burr – trombone, James Gannet – bass, Bruce Tournay – keyboards, Sal Roselli – reeds, 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.

The Koren Family Christmas! Saturday, December 20 at 7:00pm: $10 / $5 Students/Seniors/ Everyone with a Food Donation. The Koren Family with The Pearl Company will be hosting an evening of music and much, much, more that evening. All proceeds will be forwarded to Hamilton Food Banks (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 amazing: Duane Rutter, Hachey the MouthPEACE, Fred Magie, Good Anya, new comers Katie Harbour and Jocelyn Fairman, Liam McGlashon, Quails in the Nest and Josh Lamothe. And, just added, Harrison Kennedy! A few more may be announced in the next couple of weeks….  Don’t miss out on your chance to be charmed and delighted by this beautiful family event while helping those in need! https://www.facebook.com/events/1505450543062890/?ref=br_tf 

THE HOLIDAY CONCERT: A Festive Evening of Christmas, Jazz, & Brazilian Music: Wednesday, December 17. doors at 7:00.  Concert 7:30 – 9:30pm. $15/$10 students/seniors/under-waged.  This group; Bob Shields, Mike Malone, Clark Johnston, Carolyn Credico, & Anthony Michelli has played together in various formats for many years. The band consists of some of Canada’s finest jazz musicians and jazz educators and one rising star. All the musicians have roots locally and have been good friends for most of their careers. They all have a passion for good music and wanted to do something special locally for this holiday season. They have chosen Christmas music (of course) as the focus for this concert. However, as all these musicians share a love for both jazz and Brazilian music, they are infusing the concert with these influences. This will be a beautiful evening of festive music!
Carolyn Credico is a ‘not to be missed’ rising talent. Her voice is soulful as well as technically masterful. Bob Shields: Jazz, contemporary, and Brazilian guitar styles with decades of performing and recording experience nationally and internationally with some of Canada’s finest musicians. Mike Malone: Since the nineteen seventies Mike has been one of the country’s leading trumpet and Flugel horn players and arrangers. Anthony Michelli: Anthony is one of our country’s finest jazz drummers. with countless recordings under his belt. Clark Johnston: Clark is one of the most ‘in demand bassists’ around. Performing currently with the finest musicians in Canada such as Don Thompson, Reg Schwager and Terry Clark.  Longer Performer Bios:

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Robin Benedict & Sam Klass Live at The Pearl! Saturday, December 13. $15 / $10 students/seniors/under-waged.  Where else can you hear Hamilton’s own Robin in such an acoustically perfect and intimate situation? First there was the Video that went viral with 4½ million views. Then there was CH Morning Live!! But, we were just along for the ride, while the world was discovering what we already knew; Robin Benedict is a STAR! And the pairing with Sam Klass, couldn’t be a better fit! Her expansive repertoire of everything from rock, reggae and funk, country, folk and blues and her unique, powerful voice has drawn international attention, and regular trips to Nashville to record. She is known for her relaxed and humorous stage presence and ability to move a crowd of any size and demographic to their feet. Sam Klass spent 2 years developing his own looping techniques before taking them across Canada. He has added digital beats and instruments to his act, and has stood up from a formerly seated performance to become  a full on singing, dancing puppet of existential forces! Come on out and see this talented pair of singer/songwriters/musicians in concert. Here’s the viral video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVjCZ0IoKUE  and here’s Robin singing “What’s Up”: http://youtu.be/kFCCe0hleRA  http://www.robinbenedict.ca/

Ron Hynes: Friday, December 12. Doors 7:30 / Concert 8:00pm. $20 advance / $25 at the door. Living legend, musical icon, throat cancer survivor… just a few of his tags…. Hynes’ songs are woven into the fabric of Atlantic Canada, he’s won countless awards, and some of the biggest names in music have covered his work (Emmylou Harris, Murray McLauchlan, Valdy, John McDermott).  For Ron Hynes, it’s all about the songs-and the soul-baring stories… and he has a few left to tell. With a songwriting career that spans more than 30 years, Ron is a six-time East Coast Music Award winner, a Genie Award winner and a past Juno, CCMA and Canadian Folk Music Awards nominee. Frequently referred to as the “man of a thousand songs”, his song “Sonny’s Dream” has become a folk classic, performed and recorded by artists all over the world.  He’s an actor, a songwriter/composer.  The feature film about Ron’s life “The Man of a Thousand Songs” debuted at TIFFestival to sold-out audiences and critical praise.  “He touches people… it’s a rare gift for songwriters to be able to distill a song until only its essence remains. He’s a treasure.” Fan.   For more, visit: www.hynesite.org  Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV6QlEL46Bs

YOU CAN DO THAT! Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of A HARD DAY’S NIGHT and BEATLES FOR SALE: December 5 & December 6 at 8:00pm. $20/night/ $30 for 2 nights. 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of two albums released by the Beatles, “A Hard Day’s Night” and “Beatles For Sale”. To mark this anniversary, two fundraising shows are being held at The Pearl. Hosted by Christopher Clause, the shows will feature the best local talent performing in the heart of the city. The monies raised from the show will go to FERMATA HAMILTON, specifically the Debbie Clause Recording Fund, which will assist local musicians in making new, recorded music for the world to experience. There will be merchandise from the musicians on sale (which will make excellent Christmas gifts) as well as fine pop art designed by Kryder (Kristie Costello) who designed the image used on the poster for the shows.
The lineup (as of October 30) is as follows and is subject to change at any moment! Andrew Aldridge, The Barr Band, Jennifer Beehler, Robin Benedict, Bob Bryden, Jen Budd, Katie Bulley, Shawn Brush, Parag Chakravarti, Jeff Chase, Christopher Clause, Matthew de Zoete, Robyn Dell’Unto, Nathan Fleet, Andy Griffiths, Bec Jamieson, Chris Jamieson, AaLia Kesari, Frank Koren, Kim Koren, Marra Theresa Koren, Josh Lamothe, Tor Lukasik-Foss, Fred Magie, Melissa Marchese, Lena Montecalvo, Steve Parton, Michael Scott, Slow Burn Jury, Peter Taplay. Here’s a taste!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAnHQ5AIeAI  https://www.facebook.com/events/1471811463084668/?source=1

An Evening with Garnet Rogers:  Saturday, November 29, 8:00pm $20 General Admission/$15 students/arts workers/seniors: “A brilliant songwriter. One of the major talents of our time.” — The Boston Globe  “The greatest interpreter and vocalist performing in the contemporary folk scene.” — Sing Out.  We already know this, and we know that he was born in Hamilton to parents of Nova Scotian descent.  We also know that Garnet spent hours harmonizing with his brother, the late folk legend Stan Rogers and was on the road as a full-time working musician with Stan, until he died tragically in a plane crash. Since then, Garnet has established himself as a formidable solo artist. Again, the Boston Globe; “Garnet’s vocal and instrumental talents are complimented by an undeniably powerful physical presence — close to six and a half feet tall — with the lungs to match.” With his “smooth, dark baritone” (Washington Post) his incredible range and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing, his music, like the man himself, is literate, passionate, highly sensitive, and deeply purposeful. Garnet sings extraordinary songs about people who are not obvious heroes and of small every-day victories; his over-the-top humor and lightning-quick wit move his audiences from tears to laughter and back again. Though Garnet has enjoyed much popularity over the years, he remains resolutely independent, turning down offers from major labels to ensure that he continues doing music his own way.    https://www.facebook.com/pages/Garnet-Rogers/24500364751   Listen:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHyTxGwAdnk

Paul Reddick: Friday, November 28: 8:00pm. $20 /$15 students/seniors/arts workers. He’s back by popular demand (and ours)! Paul Reddick calls Toronto home, but his reputation is spreading internationally. The award-winning (phenomenal!) harmonica player, bandleader and songwriter described his most recent CD, Wishbone, as “a soundtrack for dancing and sex.” (!) The January ‘12 issue of Mojo, listed the CD in the #3 spot on its annual list of the Top 10 blues records of 2012. And if those accolades weren’t enough, here’s internationally renowned Scottish crime writer Ian Rankin, a long-time Reddick fan, “Wishbone is terrific!”  When Reddick, nominated for no less than five Maple Blues Awards, was asked “What is the blues?” the answer: “The Blues will always provide a soundtrack, a language, an endless landscape. It offers an unlimited means to express, explore and experience everything and every question that matters most.  It can be the heart singing its deepest song.” http://www.paulreddick.ca  Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dcae11Tx0w  

Lennie Gallant: Live at The Pearl! Sunday, November 23, 8:00pm $20 General Admission. CD Release Show! Recognized by his peers as one of Canada’s best performing songwriters, Lennie Gallant has previously released nine albums in both French and English which have earned him a host of awards and nominations from the Junos, ECMAs and Prix Eloizes. A recipient of the Order Of Canada, he had his music taken into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour by astronaut Julie Payette. He has toured many parts of the world and over 30 artists have recorded his songs.
Gallant has just released his tenth album Live Acoustic at The Carleton, which  contains 16 live tracks, a combination of brand new songs and familiar favourites. New songs include “Has Anybody Seen My Skates”, which premiered on Hockey Day in Canada, “God’s Reply”, “Amelia”, inspired by Amelia Earhart (co-written with Liam Titcomb) and “Abegweit”, which was written for his hit show Searching for Abegweit: The Island Songs & Stories of Lennie Gallant, that he starred in at the Mack Theatre in Charlottetown, PEI, were he performed 57 sold out shows this past summer! The album was recorded over two nights in the intimate atmosphere of the award winning songwriter music club – The Carleton in Halifax.  Website – www.lenniegallant.com  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qONe8HuvFl4&index=1&list=PLCIpsbK97eNaL88TuUqjsChrs0-tzCG_G

What The Folk: Sunday, November 9. Doors at 7:00/ Concert at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15, $10 for the financially challenged. Hamilton’s popular group, comprised of classically trained musicians, What The Folk, performs and celebrates music from the heart of Ontario to the East Coast of Canada, and across the British Isles. They are well known for wowing audiences with rousing harmonies, thrilling a capella songs, foot-stomping instrumental tunes, and various blends thereof. Join us the evening of November 9th to share in songs of glory, songs of tragedy, and songs of hope for a world without war. Gord Simmons will be presenting a brief opening set of music and story, followed by two sets of music from What The Folk: one in remembrance, and then a more typical collection of What The Folk favourites: Their multi-voice harmonies give new life to traditional (and not so traditional!) tunes and pay tribute to Canadian and celtic heritage. Their instruments are: “Guitars, violins, cellos, anything we like that helps us tell our stories; from schooner ships to coal miners and war stories, we mix the sounds of yesteryear with the now.” http://www.whatthefolk.ca/  

Nightmare on Steven Street! HaLLoWeeN PaRtY and ShoW: Friday, October 31…Show starts at 8. Doors at 7. Limited Seating; Tickets $25/ $20 advance. MF Arts Productions presents… Partner’s in love and laughter, Erin and Nara are pleased to announce their HALLOWEEN SHOW! This SCaRy… ok… FuNNy SHoW is comprised of Comedy skits, Song and Dance will have you lol-ing and possibly even rofl-ing. Maybe even a blood curdling scream!! With CREEPY GUESTS~ Robin Benedict, Brennagh Burns, and Stevie Pea. Severed Finger Foods, Refleshments! This couple is best known for their original song “Sexy Cuz We’re Lesbians” and for hosting Shelley Marshall’s The Full Bawdy Comedy Show. Open Mic and Karaoke after the show. COSTUME PRIZES AND HAUNTED HOUSE!! ORDER TICKETS ONLINE (coming soon) Reservations recommended. ADULTS ONLY (Nara excluded).  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZH-In4G53bo  https://www.facebook.com/erinandnara 

The 2014 Steel City Jazz Festival! September 23, 2014: The Steel City Jazz Festival is a Hamilton-based music festival celebrating the city’s talented and diverse jazz community. Now in its second year, the Festival kicks off on October 15 and runs until October 26 at two of Hamilton’s premiere jazz venues, Artword Artbar (15 Colbourne Street, James North area) and The Pearl.
Performances at Artword Artbar: Oct 15: The Hamilton Dixieland All-Stars. Oct 16: Chris Platt and Bob Shields; the Jason Jones Unit. Oct 17: The Aaron Zukewich Trio; The Sean Dowhaniuk Group. Oct 18: A Night of Latin Jazz. Oct 19: Adrean Farrugia and Sophia Perlman.

Performances: @The Pearl Company: 
Thursday October 23, at 8 pm, $20.  The Brad Cheeseman Group: Brad Cheeseman’s first release as leader, Mixed Messages, offers all the twists, turns and subtleties of the best modern jazz music, so it’s no surprise that it was awarded the 2013 Hamilton Music Award for Instrumental Recording of the Year.  Plus The Blank Quintet: a group of young Toronto musicians creating their own adventurous take on modern jazz. Max Forster trumpet & flugelhorn, Nick Marshal trombone, Sean Clary guitar, Nick Arseneau bass, Alejandro Luna drums.

Friday October 24, at 8 pm, $20. The Jazz Connection Big Band: a well-established 17-piece jazz ensemble delivering high energy, uncompromising and straight ahead jazz, funk, and Latin combining the highest level of musicianship and great charts in an entertaining show that equally engages both the jazz enthusiast and the casual listener.

Saturday October 25, at 8 pm, $20. Spanjazz: An evening of original jazz compositions inspired by world beat rhythms and composed by Gary Santucci: with Chris Bruder on keyboards;  Steve Wilson drums;  Brandon Walker multi-reeds;  Ian McGillivary trumpet;  Jillian McKenna bass; Gary Santucci guitar.

Sunday October 26, at 7:30 pm, $20. The Steel City Jazz Festival Closing Concert at The Pearl Company. Quarter to Nine: a musical act with Shari Vandermolen on vocals with a 5-piece band. Influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Etta James, Billie Holiday and “big-band sound” bringing you Jazz Standards, risqué blues and torch songs peppered with just the right amount of showtunes for good measure. plus the Messore-Palka Quintet: featuring Thomas Messore vocals, Amber-Leigh Palka vocals, Scott Taplay guitar, Matthew Pullicino drums, Hope Bozzo bass.

Full concert listings,  can be found at www.steelcityjazzfestival.com/schedule. Tickets to all performances can be purchased at the door, and reservations can be placed by emailing steelcityjazzfestival@gmail.com or by contacting the host venues: Artword Artbar, 905-543-8512, http://www.artword.net/artbar or The Pearl Company.
The Steel City Jazz Festival is a grassroots festival made possible through donations from community members and our sponsor NLP Canada Training.
For more information  please contact: Chris Ferguson, Festival Director 905-616-5960  chris.ferguson5@gmail.com

Fearing & White: Sunday, September 21, 8:00. $25 / $20 Students/ Seniors/ Artists at the door. These two “music-lifers” Stephen Fearing and Andy White have traded lyrics, melodies, harmonies, and arrangement ideas for years and have slowly crafted a body of songs that is uniquely different from either of their solo work. ‘Fearing & White’ is the happy result of a long friendship that has survived both the tyranny of distance and the travails of the road. White now calls Melbourne, Australia, home, while Fearing lives in Halifax. These two individually talented and acclaimed singer / songwriters (over twenty albums between them) have a new album. Tea and Confidences is an incredibly strong statement about where each man is in their lives and the power of collaboration with music rich in big tones and the pure excitement of creation.
Fearing is well known within the international folk and roots music community as one of its most accomplished songsmiths, storytellers and guitarists. A double Juno award winner, he has experienced commercial and critical success, both in his solo career and with roots/rock supergroup Blackie and The Rodeo Kings. Northern Ireland born and raised Andy White has earned a global following for blending folk and pop stylings with a poet’s sensibility. Working with the great names of Irish music – Sinead O’Connor, Van Morrison – and writing with the likes of Peter Gabriel and Neil and Tim Finn, Andy has won Ireland’s top songwriting awards. . www.fearingandwhite.com   Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nU2-Mq90dZE

THE FULL BAWDY COMEDY SHOW: Saturday, September 20: 8:30pm. Admission: $20 advance/$25 door.  SHE’S BACK! Shelley Marshall, HAMILTON’S OWN world-renowned Comedienne and winner of Hamilton’s 2013 Best Local Theatre Production View Magazine for her One Woman Show “Hold Mommy’s Cigarette” brings us her production of the edgy and irreverent THE FULL BAWDY COMEDY SHOW with hosts, Erin & Nara. TFBCS is an always-SOLD-OUT vaudevillian variety show that celebrates the diversity of comedy through Music, Burlesque, Stand-up, Circus and more! Featuring original material from the funniest and raciest Stars this country (and beyond) has to offer. The show has featured some of the creamiest of the Canadian funny crop such as: Nikki Payne, Debra Digiovanni both Canadian Comedy Award and Gemini Winners; Canadian Comedy Award Winners: Sandra Battaglini, Christele Bartalese; Fringe Festival Winners: Precious Chong, Rachelle Elie; Hamilton Music Award Winners: Ginger St James, Robin Benedict; Juno Award Winner Lori Yates and many more!  Sept 20 Line-up: Shelley Marshall: Musical Guests: THE PERFECT STRANGERS: Brennagh Burns, Cindy Dell, Sue Leonard. Stand Up: Erin Keaney, Stand Up Man of The Hour: Todd Graham . Drag Queen: Artemis Simetra.  Come with an open mind and you’ll leave with a Full Heart! Adult Content. www.shelleymarshall.com  Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=omL9gW9h04g  (905) 524-0606 CALL FOR RESERVATIONS or visit http://www.ticketscene.ca/events/