Friends of Erikson Audio:

Nikki Yanofsky

Nikki Yanofsky is a 15-year-old musical prodigy.  Since her debut at the 2006 Montreal International Jazz Festival, where she won the hearts of the 100,000+ audience, Nikki has never looked back.  She was the youngest singer ever on a Verve Records release when she recorded “Airmail Special” for the Ella Fitzgerald tribute album, We All Love Ella:  Celebrating the First Lady of Song, alongside such musical luminaries as Etta James, Linda Ronstadt, Diana Krall and Natalie Cole.  She has also recorded the swing-era classic, “Stompin’ at the Savoy” with Grammy Award-winning artists Herbie Hancock and Will.i.am for Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s audio book, On the Shoulders of Giants.  Also, in the realm of popular music, Nikki was asked to record “Gotta Go My Own Way” for Disney’s smash hit High School Musical2. The song was included in French and English on the Canadian release of the soundtrack, and in the bonus features of the worldwide DVD release.  Nikki has also starred with renowned hip-hop artist Wyclef Jean on episodes of PBS' current version of The Electric Company and has been broadcast internationally on PBS’s youth talent showcase From the Top.

Along with playing to sold-out crowds at jazz festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Sapporo and Montego Bay, Nikki has been on a multi-city ‘pops concert’ tour with renowned composer and conductor Marvin Hamlisch, including appearances at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and major concert venues in Seattle, San Diego, Milwaukee and even her hometown of Montreal.  As well, she has performed before full houses at Dizzy's in New York City's Jazz at Lincoln Center, the famed Catalina's Jazz Club in Los Angeles and even Tokyo’s historic Kabuki-za.

On September 23, 2008, Nikki released the CD and DVD package "Ella… of Thee I Swing", which captured a memorable performance recorded before a full house at Place des Arts in Montreal, Canada.  This album has garnered critical acclaim from many notable publications and earned Nikki two Juno nominations including New Artist of the Year and Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.

In the summer of 2009, Nikki completed a Canadian Jazz Festival tour including a special free outdoor concert for the 30th Anniversary of the Montreal International Jazz Festival.  She has since visited the Far East twice, presenting numerous concert and promotional dates in Japan and South Korea.

Currently, she is putting the finishing touches on her first full-album studio release with 14-time Grammy Award-winning producer, Phil Ramone. The album is due to be released in spring, 2010.

Check out Nikki's website here!

Bobby Curtola

Bobby set out on his first Western Canadian Tour in the fall of 1960.  From there Bobby went on to become a trailblazer, establishing the first coast to coast tour circuit in Canada. Within the next year he was recording in Nashville with Bill Porter for RCA Studios, where he continued to record for many years.

Bobby success continued on television, starting with American Bandstand. It also included appearances on the world famous Wolf Man Jack Show.  He later became the first recording artist to host two Network Canadian TV shows.  The After Four Show on CFTO starting in 1965, and the Shake, Rock and Roll Show on CTV in 1973. Bobby was also host to many of the Miss Canada and Miss Teen Canada Pageants.

The sixties, with hit after hit for Bobby, included 25 Canadian Gold singles and 12 Canadian Gold albums.

Over the years, Bobby has performed and befriended many of the most influential musicians of all time including: Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Mick Jagger, the Rat Pack, Roy Orbison, Chubby Checker, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Canadian icons Michael Buble, The Guess Who, Celine Dion, and many more. 

Bobby has received numerous accolades over the years.

AWARDS:

• One of the first Canadian artists to receive the RPM Gold Leaf Award in 1966 for Top Male Vocalist (now known as the Juno Award)
• Inducted into The RPM Magazine Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame by Walt Grealis
• Toronto made April 26, 1996 Bobby Curtola Day
• Awarded the keys to the cities of Toronto, Hamilton, Calgary, Edmonton and Brandon.
• Honored with the naming of the street “Bobby Curtola Drive” in Thunder Bay, ON, September 27, 2003

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

• Received the First Canadian Registered Gold Album
• A pioneer, instrumental in the early stages of the Canadian Content ruling (the beginning of the CRTC)
• One of the first artists to be a partner in his own publishing, recording and concert promotion companies
• Inducted into the Coca Cola Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in 1997
• May 7, 1998 “The Gold Medal of Merit” and “The Order of Canada”

Known for his innovation, wealth of talent and his immense humanitarianism, Bobby Curtola is truly “Canada’s Greatest Rock n’  Roll Legend.” 

Go to Bobby's Official Webpage here!

Benjamin Russell
"Starved"

"Starved" is a track on Benjamin Russell's new CD, "Rockhill". Watch for it in early 2010. Song by Benjamin Russell. Video by Sandra Chechik and Benjamin Russell. Production assistance by Elyce. Copyright © 2009 The Clear Blue Enterprise (socan), TCBE Records, and Benjamin Russell. All rights reserved.

Fans who still request “Miracle”, one of Toronto radio station CFNY’s top songs of all time, and for which he was nominated "Most Promising Male Vocalist" in the CASBY Awards, or who watched the “Power of Love” video when it played in high rotation on Much Music back in the ‘80’s, will be pleased to discover Benjamin Russell is launching a new CD in early 2010. 

"Rockhill" is a collection of songs written in a high-rise hideaway in the late '70s and never recorded until now. Back then, Russell was criticized in the Montreal Star for, "... running the risks of confusing eclecticism for dissipation of focus...". "Rockhill" shows the artist embracing this "fault", making it a virtue. 

The album's glue is Russell's unique artistic perspective which runs from the gritty sampled folk pop of "Starved" through to the beautiful sentiments of the pure country song, "Garden", touching and infusing this diverse collection of 17 songs with his wide palette of influences.

www.benjamin-russell.com

Watch the video!
http://www.youtube.com/user/tcbemusic

Jess Hart
Incorporated

Jess Hart is  an accomplished singer/songwriter, appreciated for her refreshing combination of thoughtful lyrics and unique vocal and musical style. A blend of folk and grunge influences can be noted in her acoustic rock compositions which feature themes that vary from media concentration and isolation to the exploration of contemporary ideologies regarding corporate ownership, consumer culture and their implications on society.  
Straying from the typical female singer/songwriter love ballad, Hart views music as a vehicle for change.   vehicle for change.  
Hart delved into the Montreal Music scene in 2002, performing at several highly esteemed singer-songwriter venues such as Casa del Popollo, The Green Room, and The Yellow Door. At this time she recorded her debut self-titled EP, produced by Dominique Messier in collaboration with Studios Piccolo Productions in Montreal.

Her music has been featured on CBC Radio 1, CHOQ FM, CJLO and CKUT, where Hart was featured as resident  artist, June  ‘07. Hart’s debut self-produced album “Incorporated” was released August, 2009.

Watch Jess' Lifestyle ad!
http://www.youtube.com/user/tcbemusic#p/a/f/0/dUI50pBPt5A

www.jesshart.com

Allan Cannon

Born July 21, 1969, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. After graduating High School I moved to Hamilton, Ontario. At 15 I got my first guitar and some guidance from a friend's father. He taught me the basics and got me on my way. In 2005 I met one of my heroes and it has had a profound effect on my direction. Shortly after this encounter I started to do those things that I used to only dream about. Guitars and cameras are my tools of choice.

Credits and Accomplishments:
Footage included in the bonus material of Daniel Lanois' film - Here Is What Is, Deluxe Gold Top Edition. Recording, mix and master of Trole's CD - Naked And Burning Live.

Allan worked with the great Jack de Keyzer, who is up for a JUNO this year.
http://junoawards.ca/nominees/

The album is Corktown Sessions Live, recorded at The Corktown Tavern in Hamilton.

Allan is really happy and proud to have this nomination.  This comes after 4 years of very hard work and dedication. 

Please check out the album on Jack de Keyzer's website! 

Check out Allan's website here
Check out Allan's MySpace page here

Lil' Jaz

A professional DJ with training in classical music and a history of high-level competitive turntablism, Jasper is tour DJ/Keys/Programmer for Crown Loyalist recording artist K-OS.  He initially joined this eclectic band in 2004 upon the release of critically acclaimed Joyful Rebellion, and quickly made an impression on stage as well as in the studio on subsequent releases, Atlantis (2006) and YES! (2009).  Jaz continues to develop as an exciting and truly unique, avant-garde hybrid musician/DJ mixing and matching his styles seamlessly on stage, in the studio and in the clubs. 

Lil' Jaz was K-Os' DJ for the closing ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games!

Anthony Michelli