The Pearl Company

Shari Vandermolen with QUARTER TO NINE: Saturday, June 27: 8:00pm. $20 /$18 students/arts workers/seniors. A sexy, sassy, jazz-soaked treat for your ears! Quarter to Nine is a jazzy musical act with the remarkable Shari Vandermolen on vocals.  The name comes from the song “About a Quarter to Nine” from the musical 42nd Street. Incorporating the sweet soft jazz feel of days gone by, or the burlesque feel of risqué blues, Q2Nine influences include Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Etta James, Billie Holiday and the “big-band sound”. They’ll be bringing you Jazz Standards, naughty blues and torch songs peppered with just the right amount of show tunes for good measure. “Shari’s training as an actor imbues her music with an emotional edge that takes us places we have never been with these songs. Quarter to Nine is an experience as much as a concert.” http://www.q29.ca  Listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyDlzfMzUkI

Kevin Breit with Rebecca Jenkins: Friday, June 26: 8:00. $20.  There is no doubt that two-time JUNO Award winner 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…. He is bringing Rebecca Jenkins who is best known as an actor. As a singer, her voice carries a warmth that feels both real and ethereal. She is one of those rare multi-talented people who makes everything she does look effortless! Kevin Breit’s latest album, Ernesto & Delilah is garnering rave reviews. This epic double-CD set with two distinctly different albums, but both are distinctly Breit. The first disc, Ernesto, is fully instrumental and is bold with classic Brazilian sounds and atmosphere, with styles ranging from classical to jazz. The second disc, Delilah, is a gorgeous album of duets with Rebecca Jenkins. The 11 original tracks on Delilah are the stuff dreams are made of – highlighting the ethereal vocals of Breit and Jenkins as well as Breit’s mastery of his instruments and exceptional storytelling. All it takes are a few seconds of listening to realize the extent of the genius and talents of Kevin Breit. http://www.kevinbreit.com/  Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH0-0cXHHs4  http://www.rebeccajenkins.ca/ Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pof5lKWfoeQ

(more…)

THE HAMILTON FULL BAWDY COMEDY SHOW! Saturday, June 20. Doors 7:15PM, event 8:00PM. Admission: $20 advance; $25 door.  ShelleyMarshall, HAMILTON’S OWN world-renowned Comedienne for her One Woman Show “Hold Mommy’s Cigarette” brings us her production of the edgy and irreverent FULL BAWDY COMEDY SHOW with hosts, Erin & Nara. The FBCS is an always-SOLD-OUT vaudevillian variety show that celebrates the diversity of comedy through Music, Burlesque, Stand-up, Circus and more! This Show Features: Erin McFadden and Nara Elizabeth Farrell, with musical Guest Missy Bauman, featuring Burlesque Performer St Stella,  comedienne Andrea Murray, and more surprises! Advance tickets on TicketScene are $20 – use the code bestlifeever – Email Shelley for advance reservations and seating at shelley@shelleymarshall.com  Featuring original material from the funniest and raciest Stars this country (and beyond) has to offer. www.shelleymarshall.com Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=omL9gW9h04g

Harpdog Brown with “The Toronto Connection”: Saturday, June 13. Doors: 7:30. Show: 8:00. $20 /$15 students/seniors/all artists Big Johnny Blue and Strange Cargo Open. Harpdog Brown is a gifted singer and imaginative harmonica player of note that has been in Canada’s Blues scene since 1982. Born in Edmonton, Harpdog has been a familiar stage musician in Vancouver for over 20 years. His larger than life stature, energetic presence on stage and authentic blues sound make him a very popular act. Over the years Harpdog has issued 6 CD’s to critical acclaim. His Home is Where The Harp Is won the coveted Muddy Award for the best NW Blues Release of the year. It was also nominated for a Juno for the best Blues Release in Canada that year. The Toronto Connection is: Gary Kendall on bass, Mike Fitzpatrick on drums, (both from Downchild) and guitar wizard Teddy Leonard (with Fathead for many years). http://www.harpdogbrown.com/ Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WAjT4tdgio Big Johnny Blue & Strange Cargo Open. Big Johnny Blue is John M. Crawford, Hamilton guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter and founding member of The Hamilton Blues Society. Johnny and Strange Cargo are 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/

The Jazz Connection Big Band w Carissa Kimbell: Friday, June 12. Doors at 7:30, Jazz at 8:00. $20 /$15 students/seniors/all artists. They’re back!!! Catch the powerful sound of this fabulous big band in our relaxed and atmospheric venue. The JCBB is a well-established 17-piece jazz ensemble comprised of professional and semi-professional musicians from the Hamilton/Toronto area, performing only the best modern big band charts from the books of Goodwin, Martin, Menza, Rich, Basie, and many other great contemporary composers. Jazz Connection delivers 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. The incredible acoustics at The Pearl easily accommodate their very cool (or hot!) surround-sound. “This is one of the most exciting, entertaining and musically interesting jazz ensembles to come along in many years – the musicianship, the repertoire and the energy are all of the highest level!” Nick Deutsch – Mohawk College, Faculty of Music www.jazzconnection.ca Listen: http://epresskitz.com/index.php?u=2691  Carissa Kimbell, , draws from a wide array of influences in her selection of material and in her own writing. Carissa’s repertoire ranges from Amy Winehouse to Joni Mitchell and lots more.

Shelley Marshall Presents: The Award Winning Production “Hold Mommy’s Cigarette”: May 29/30/31 June 5/6/7 One Woman’s story of an unfiltered life, written and performed by Shelley Marshall, directed by Linda Kash. Renowned Comedienne, Marshall returns with her autobiographical One Woman Show in the city where the story and star were born. It took 10 years for Marshall to create this Play and it is the rewarding result of resilience, recovery, and reflection while exploring many genres of performance including elements of clown, stand up, improv, buffoon, and play. Shelley Marshall: “I take you on an adventure, both emotionally and visually. There is no denying that my story is tragic, but it’s my story and time and writing without shame has been my comedic relief. ‘Hold Mommy’s Cigarette’ is not an exploitation of what has happened in my life, but rather, an acceptance of where it may lead. It is a dark comedy, a vulnerable piece about life, mental illness and survival.” *Mature Content* http://www.holdmommyscigarette.com  Tickets available at http://www.ticketscene.ca/series/300/  Shelley’s message to supporters of The Pearl: Use the code bestlifeever to get $5 off or message me (Shelley) for FREE tickets to some performances paid for by Edgewood Health Network as part of the “Play it Forward” campaign to raise awareness for Mental Health and Addiction . This is my last showing in Hamilton and then I head off for a Canadian Tour. (Sunday Shows @ 2pm All Others @ 8pm)

(more…)

Shari Vandermolen & David Brideau: Saturday May 5.  Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20. Shari Vandermolen is a renowned vocalist and award-winning performer in Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area who has been entertaining audiences for 15 years with her Quartet, Trio or 5-piece band Quarter to Nine.  She is also the lead vocalist for the 10-piece jazz combo SwingLine.  On May 5th Shari brings her powerful and impressive vocal stylings back to the Pearl Company for a more intimate evening of song with jazz guitarist David Brideau, James Gannett on bass and Vince Waters on drums.  “…hear Vandermolen make jelly of your emotions with her voice and her art… one example is Stormy Weather… I barely weathered that storm intact.”  – View Magazine
David Brideau is a Canadian jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher who has been an active musician for over 15 years. A Hamilton native, and honours graduate from the Mohawk Jazz program, David has played all around the GTA with his own group, the David Brideau Trio and Quartet, as well as being prominently featured in groups with Michael Morobito, Amber-Leigh Palka, and Lauren Perreira among others. He studied under jazz greats Bob Shields, Pat Collins, Kim Ratcliffe, and Mark Ucci and is currently continuing his studies at McMaster University. David often composes his own standards, and released the sold-out EP “Addicted To You” in 2016. He is a recipient of the Dave McMurdo Music Bursary, the Antony Roberts Music Bursary, and the Richard Newell Memorial Scholarship.
Ticets: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/21098/