Artist Stage Intros
Artist Stage Intros |
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TO STAGE ANNONCERS – READ THIS AT 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 7:00 PM DAILY(YOU MAY WANT TO PRACTICE PRONUNCIATION OF THE NATIVE PEOPLE) Good afternoon/evening. Welcome to the 24th Annual Winterfolk Festival, four days of blues and roots music, at the Tranzac Club. We acknowledge the land we are meeting on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. For the enjoyment of everyone, we ask that talking and noise be kept to a minimum while the performances are happening (musicians are playing). Believe it or not, many artists actually have CDs and merchandise for sale. You can buy them from the stage after their set, during next artist set up. If you like the music at Winterfolk, take it home with you. Show your support by purchasing artists’ CDs and other merch. Artist’s products will also be available for sale in the main hall during the festival hours. If you have any questions, please ask one of the Winterfolk volunteers. They are wearing the big white Winterfolk buttons. This festival would not be possible without the support of many, many volunteers. Thanks to the volunteers. We would like to thank the funding agencies and sponsors that help make Winterfolk possible – The Government of Canada through the Department of Canadian Heritage, Long & McQuade Musical Instruments and JAZZ FM Radio. ABLETT AND COOPER – Word count: 94 Timing: 38–40 seconds Ablett and Cooper are a duo who have been playing together for over 20 years. Their sound is built on close vocal harmony and intricate fingerstyle guitar, developed through long-term collaboration rather than studio construction. Their music moves comfortably between blues, contemporary folk, original songs, and thoughtful instrumentals. Ablett and Cooper have performed for local and international audiences for many years and received the Bravo Award for Outstanding Concert Performance for a Solo or Small Ensemble. Please welcome Ablett and Cooper. ARIANA GILLIS Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Ariana Gillis is a Canadian singer-songwriter whose career gained early recognition with the Canadian Folk Music Award for Young Performer of the Year and the Niagara Music Award for Songwriter of the Year. She has appeared at major festivals including Hillside, Mariposa, Summerfolk, and Blue Skies. Ariana later recorded in Nashville, further establishing her reputation for detailed, narrative-driven songwriting and a strong lyrical focus. Give it up for Ariana Gillis. BRIAN GLADSTONE Word count: 97 Timing: 40 seconds Brian Gladstone is a world-class fingerstyle guitar player, an innovative songwriter, an eloquent storyteller, and a dynamic performer. He has been active in the Canadian roots music scene for nearly 35 years as an artist, producer, festival director, and activist. Brian has written and recorded five albums with international airplay, toured extensively throughout Canada and the UK, and is the founder and acting festival director of the Winterfolk Blues and Roots Festival, now in its 24th year. Please welcome Brian
BRIAN MORGAN Word count: 92 Timing: 37–38 seconds Brian Morgan is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work blends folk, rock, jazz, and world music with pointed social commentary. He plays guitar, violin, and bass, and toured nationally as a member of the motorgrass band Jughead. Brian has recorded and performed internationally, works regularly as a session player in Toronto, and continues to develop new material shaped through live performance and collaboration. Here’s Brian Morgan.
CATHY ANNE Word count: 91 Timing: 37 seconds Cathy Anne is a songwriter whose work emphasizes melodic clarity and emotionally grounded storytelling. Her songs are shaped for listening rooms, focusing on pacing, restraint, and direct connection rather than production effects. Cathy Anne’s writing draws on observation and lived experience, refined through consistent live performance where song structure and delivery are tested and strengthened in front of attentive audiences. Please welcome Cathy Anne. CLELA ERRINGTON Clela is pronounced – Klee-lah Word count: 89 Timing: 37–39 seconds “Tonight, we welcome an artist whose music was shaped by the landscapes and traditions that have influenced her along the way. Born in Montreal and raised along the St. Lawrence River in the 1000 Islands region of Brockville ON, Clela Errington found her voice on Canada’s East Coast before making her mark in Toronto’s rich folk and jazz scenes. Clela’s new album “Walkin’ Each Other Home” was produced with Jimmy Bowskill at the helm and showcases Clela’s deep connection to storytelling through song.” Give it up for Clela Errington DANNY MARKS Word count: 98 Timing: 40 seconds Danny Marks is a veteran guitarist, songwriter, broadcaster, and one of Canada’s most enduring blues figures. He rose to prominence in the 1960s as a founding member of Edward Bear, touring internationally and recording for Capitol Records. Danny is a Maple Blues Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and the longtime host of Bluz FM on JAZZ.FM91, airing Saturday nights. He continues to perform, record, and broadcast across Canada. Please welcome Danny Marks.
D’ARCY WICKHAM Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds D’Arcy Wickham is an award winning songwriter, performer, and teacher whose career spans more than four decades. As an educator, he has taught and mentored artists including Daniel Lanois and Liam Titcomb, with referrals from figures such as Gordon Lightfoot and David Wilcox. As a recording artist, D’Arcy has released multiple albums recognized for both songwriting and guitar work, while remaining deeply committed to teaching and musical craft. Here’s D’Arcy Wickham. DONNÉ ROBERTS Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Donné Roberts is an award-winning musician, composer, and producer born in Madagascar and based in Canada. He is a two-time Juno Award winner and four-time nominee, with music that blends African roots, global rhythms, and contemporary songwriting. His work has been recognized internationally, including first prize at the International Songwriting Competition in 2024. Donné has toured globally and composed for broadcast media. Please welcome Donné Roberts. FRANKIE HART Word count: 98 Timing: 40 seconds Frankie Hart is a Canadian vocalist and songwriter whose career spans more than five decades. She first gained national attention in the late 1960s with Les Sirocco before co-founding Freedom North, whose 1970 album became the first release on Aquarius Records. She later appeared on influential studio projects including Life and Riverson. Frankie continues to write and record, representing a living thread of Canadian music history. Give it up for Frankie Hart. GLEN HORNBLAST Word count: 95 Timing: 39 seconds Glen Hornblast is a songwriter with more than three decades of work spanning folk, blues, country, and jazz. His songs draw on influences from the 1960s folk revival and years of live performance across Canada. After years focused on performance and community-building, Glen has returned to recording and touring with renewed focus and productivity. Here’s Glen Hornblast. HARPIN’ NORM LUCIEN Word count: 94 Timing: 38–39 seconds Harpin’ Norm Lucien is a harmonica player, songwriter, and collaborator rooted in the Toronto music scene. Largely self-taught, Norm became known for his ability to sit in with musicians across styles. He has recorded and performed with a wide range of Canadian and international artists and played venues in Ontario and Nashville. His recent work focuses increasingly on original songwriting. Please welcome Harpin’ Norm Lucien. HENRY LEES & SOUL MAÎTRE D’S Word count: 92 Timing: 37–38 seconds Henry Lees and the Soul Maître D’s bring together seasoned singer-songwriters and musicians drawing from soul, R&B, and roots traditions. Their performances combine original material with carefully chosen songs delivered with strong musicianship, close harmonies, and deep groove. Their sets are shaped by years of songwriting and live ensemble experience. Give it up for Henry Lees & Soul Maître D’s. HOWARD GLADSTONE Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Howard Gladstone is a Toronto-born singer-songwriter who has released eight albums of original music. Following recovery from a life-changing spinal cord injury in 2014, his songwriting took on a deeper focus on resilience and healing. Albums released since then reflect that journey, including work created during the pandemic and his most recent release in 2024. Howard has also published a book of collected lyrics. Here’s Howard Gladstone. HIKARI HONDA Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Hikari Honda is a Japanese contemporary folk singer-songwriter whose music bridges Japanese folk traditions and the Western folk revival. Raised in Kyushu, Japan, he spent eight years as a journalist with Japan’s national broadcaster before turning fully to music during the pandemic. Since then, Hikari has toured internationally across Canada and Europe, sharing music rooted in honesty, simplicity, and cross-cultural storytelling. Please welcome Hikari Honda. IMAGINARY EXPEDITON – Imaginary Expedition features composer and guitarist Glyph Greenleaf, a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, and vocalist Victoria Dobbs, Toronto-based songwriters and performers. The duo presents primarily original material blending classical and early music structures with contemporary folk songwriting. Their arrangements incorporate formal counterpoint and close vocal harmony, reflecting Greenleaf’s classical training alongside folk influences. Greenleaf performs classical guitar using his distinctive lap-based technique and also plays a modern three-octave recorder, while Dobbs’ clear, expressive vocals anchor their sound. They perform regularly in house concerts and listening rooms, offering an intimate acoustic concert experience. Isaac Muzikansky is a Toronto-based musician whose work is rooted in family history and Jewish musical tradition. Trained as an electronics engineer, he spent more than 30 years working in Ottawa’s high-tech sector before retiring to focus on music. Since childhood, Isaac learned Yiddish songs from his parents and continues to perform songs in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino, Russian, and English across community and cultural settings. Please welcome Isaac Muzikansky.
JAMES GORDON Word count: 100 Timing: 40 seconds James Gordon has had one of the most diverse careers in Canadian music. As a solo artist and a founding member of Tamarack, he has recorded more than 40 albums and toured internationally for decades. His work spans songwriting, theatre, film, and orchestral composition, and he spent more than ten years as a songwriter-in-residence on CBC Radio. James is also a playwright, community activist, and recently served as a Guelph City Councilor. Please welcome James Gordon. JESSE GREENE Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Jesse Greene is a guitarist and songwriter originally from Ottawa who gained national attention by reaching the International Blues Challenge Finals in Memphis and later placing in the Toronto Blues Society Talent Search. She now performs regularly in Toronto and was awarded the 2024 Amy Louie Grossman’s Music Scholarship for artist development, recognizing her songwriting and performance growth. Here’s Jesse Greene. JESSICA STUART (JESSA) Word count: 97 Timing: 40 seconds Jessica Stuart is a Toronto-based guitarist, songwriter, and composer known for rhythmically adventurous songwriting and genre-crossing projects. She first gained international attention with her trio, The Jessica Stuart Few, who toured widely and charted in Japan. Jessica has since re-emerged as JESSA, moving into an indie-pop direction focused on melody, texture, and modern songwriting. Please welcome JESSA. JORY NASH Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds
Jory Nash is an award-winning songwriter whose work blends folk, jazz, blues, pop, and soul. He has released nine albums and returned with a new release in 2025 following a period away from music. Jory’s songwriting is shaped by lived experience, resilience, and a renewed commitment to recording and performance. Give it up for Jory Nash. KEVIN BREIT Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds
Kevin Breit is a Canadian guitarist and songwriter with an expansive career across jazz, roots, folk, and experimental music. He has won two Juno Awards for his work with projects including Sisters Euclid and The Stretch Orchestra. Kevin has collaborated and toured with artists such as Cassandra Wilson, Holly Cole, and Norah Jones, while continuing to lead his own musical projects. Please welcome Kevin Breit. KIIOLA Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds
Kiiola is a singer and songwriter, carrying the spirit of her homeland into every note she sings. She is also a member of Donné Roberts’ band. Her performances include songs in her native Japanese alongside original material shaped by contemporary songwriting and her study of Japanese folk song. With a gentle yet powerful approach, Kiiola’s work emphasizes clarity, restraint, and cross-cultural connection. Here’s Kiiola. LAURA FERNANDEZ Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds
Laura Fernandez is bilingual singer songwriter, a jazz vocalist, pianist, bandleader, and broadcaster. She is widely known as the host of Café Latino on JAZZ.FM91 and maintains an active recording and performance career alongside her broadcasting work. Laura’s music and radio presence have made her a central figure in Toronto’s jazz community. Please welcome Laura Fernandez.
LIGHTNING HILL – Word count: 129 words Estimated reading time: ~45–50 seconds Delivering original songs rooted in rich harmonies and strong musical lineage, Taivi joins forces with songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Garth Douglas on vocals, mandolin, and guitar; fiddler Marion Linton, known for her work with Fred Eaglesmith, Mendelson Joe, and Andrew Collins; and bassist Steve Marshall, of the Fabulous Duck Brothers and David Essig. Together, they perform as Lightning Hill. Taivi has shared the stage with Garth Hudson of The Band, sung with a 30,000-voice choir in Tallinn, and appeared as a solo artist in Tokyo. In Toronto, she has performed at Heliconian Hall, Acoustic Harvest, and the Tranzac, and is currently recording new material with bluegrass artist Claire Lynch producing. LYNN HARRISON – Word count: 87 Timing: 35–37 seconds Lynn Harrison is a songwriter with a long-standing presence in the Canadian folk community. She has released multiple albums, is an ordained Unitarian minister, and for many years ran the unique series The Bridge, fostering musical community. Her writing is known for its ability to capture moments in time with clarity and compassion, and her brand new book “Songwriting as Soul Work: Songs and the Inner Life” is available now. Give it up for Lynn Harrison. MELANIE PERERSON Word count: 112 Timing: ~40 seconds Melanie Peterson is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Raised in a musical household, she grew up immersed in folk music before moving to Toronto, where she initially pursued acting and later established herself as a songwriter and performer. Melanie has released two full-length albums along with several EPs and singles, earning airplay on CBC, BBC, and independent radio. Her songwriting combines melodic clarity with emotional directness, shaped through years of live performance across Canada. Melanie continues to write, record, and perform while remaining active in both the music and performing arts communities. Please welcome Melanie Peterson.
NOAH ZACHARIN Word count: 112 Timing: ~40 seconds Noah Zacharin is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and guitarist with more than three decades of recording and performing experience. He has released multiple albums and is a two-time Canadian Folk Music Award nominee. Known for his intricate fingerstyle guitar work and literate songwriting, his music draws from blues, folk, and roots traditions. Zacharin has toured across Canada and internationally, performing at major folk festivals and concert series. In addition to his solo career, he is an experienced collaborator and educator, respected within the Canadian folk community for both his musicianship and craft. Welcome Noah Zacharin. Quarrington and Adams Word count: 110 Estimated reading time: ~40–45 seconds Quarrington & Adams unites veteran Canadian multi-instrumentalist Tony Quarrington with singer-songwriter Zoey Adams in a compelling folk collaboration. Tony Quarrington is widely respected as a bassist, guitarist, composer, and producer, with decades of experience performing and recording across Canada’s folk, jazz, and singer-songwriter communities. His musicianship and arranging skills have made him a sought-after collaborator. Zoey Adams brings a fresh contemporary folk voice, known for her expressive vocals and strong melodic songwriting rooted in acoustic and roots traditions. Together, they have written dozens of new original songs, combining experience and emerging artistry in a partnership grounded in harmony, storytelling, and musical craft. Lets welcome Q & A. ROBERT PRIEST – Estimated reading time: ~40–45 seconds Robert Priest is a Toronto-based poet, songwriter, playwright, and spoken-word performer with a career spanning more than four decades. He is the author of more than a dozen books of poetry and prose for both adults and children, and his work has been translated into several languages. Priest served as Toronto’s Poet Laureate from 2005 to 2006 and has performed at literary festivals, theatres, and concert stages across Canada and internationally. His writing has appeared in numerous anthologies, magazines, and broadcast programs, and he has collaborated with musicians, theatre companies, and filmmakers. Known for his rhythmic delivery, wit, and social insight, Robert Priest continues to create and present new work that bridges page and performance. RUSSELL de CARLE – Estimated reading time: ~45–50 seconds ~45–50 seconds Russell deCarle is a Canadian singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and bassist of Prairie Oyster, one of Canada’s most successful country bands. With Prairie Oyster, he earned multiple JUNO Awards and Canadian Country Music Association Awards, contributing to a string of gold and platinum albums and chart-topping singles throughout the 1980s and 1990s. In addition to his work with the band, deCarle has released solo recordings that highlight his distinctive baritone voice and roots-oriented songwriting style. Over the course of his career, he has toured extensively across Canada and internationally, maintaining a strong presence in the country and roots music communities. SHAKURA S’AIDA Word count: 152 Timing: ~55 seconds Shakura S’Aida is a Toronto-based Americana, roots, and soul singer-songwriter whose career spans more than four decades. She has performed for audiences in 31 countries and is also known to television viewers as a recurring actor on Schitt’s Creek. Her music draws deeply from classic soul, blues, and R&B, delivered with clarity, control, and emotional connection. Her recent work continues a long line of recordings shaped by honesty and forward momentum. Shakura is a three-time Juno Award nominee, a two-time Maple Blues Award winner, and a six-time Maple Blues Award nominee. Her honours also include a Folk Music Ontario Album of the Year Award, a SOCAN Foundation Her Music Award, and an Independent Music Award, recognizing both her artistic impact and long-standing contribution to music and community. Please welcome Shakura S’Aida.
SHAWNA CASPI – Word count: 92 Timing: 38–40 seconds Coming up next is Shawna Caspi. Shawna Caspi is a folk-roots singer-songwriter who can make a room full of people feel like they’re hanging out with an old friend in a plush corner booth. With her warm voice, clever and poetic lyrics, and intricate fingerstyle guitar accompaniment, she makes music that makes an authentic human connection, that conveys a sense of closeness, of being understood, of feeling less alone. Her latest album, Hurricane Coming, was nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award and an Ontario Folk Music Award. Give Shawna a warm Winterfolk Welcome SUE AND DWIGHT – Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Sue and Dwight are a harmony-driven folk duo with a long-term musical partnership. During the pandemic, they created Livingroom Live, presenting more than 200 online shows including weekly original sets and themed programs focused on 1960s folk and 1970s pop. They have since returned to live performances featuring both original material and curated repertoire. Please welcome Sue and Dwight. SULTANS OF STRING – Word count: 113 Timing: ~45 seconds Our next band is Sultans of String. – Sultans of String is an acclaimed instrumental ensemble known for their genre-blending sound, drawing from Celtic, flamenco, Django-jazz, and Arabic traditions, creating high-energy performances that celebrate virtuosity, rhythm, and a shared musical language. Since their 2007 debut Luna, the group has continually expanded its artistic reach, collaborating with orchestras and international artists while pushing each release into new creative territory. Albums including Symphony, Subcontinental Drift, Christmas Caravan, Refuge, and Walking Through the Fire have earned wide critical and industry recognition. They are three-time JUNO nominees, six-time Canadian Folk Music Award winners, International Songwriting Competition winners, Billboard-charting artists, and New York Times–featured recording artists. Please welcome Sultans of String. SUZANNE JARVIE Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Suzanne Jarvie is an Ontario-based songwriter recognized within the Canadian folk community. Her songs focus on lyrical intent and melodic clarity, refined through years of live performance. Her newest CD is being released this year, representing the latest chapter in her evolving body of work and continued commitment to songcraft. Please welcome Suzanne Jarvie. SUZIE VINNICK Word count: 100 Timing: 40 seconds Suzie Vinnick is a Canadian roots and blues singer-songwriter, bassist, and guitarist with one of the most decorated careers in the genre. She has won twelve Maple Blues Awards and received multiple Juno and Canadian Folk Musi, and she continues to perform widely as a solo artist and collaborator. Please welcome Suzie Vinnick
Swingin’ Blackjacks feature Matt Allen on guitar and vocals, Gary Kendall on bass and vocals, and Adam David on drums. Matt Allen leads the band and contributes much of the original material, bringing a guitar style rooted in early rock ’n’ roll, jump blues, and honky-tonk twang. Gary Kendall, with a career spanning nearly six decades, is a pillar of the Canadian blues scene and longtime member of The Downchild Blues Band, providing a powerful and seasoned foundation on bass. Jazz-trained drummer Adam David rounds out the trio, delivering tight, swinging rhythms backed by decades of professional performance experience. TAYLOR ABRAHAMSE Word count: 122 Timing: ~40 seconds Taylor Abrahamse is a singer-songwriter, performer, and composer whose work moves fluidly across folk, pop, and theatrical songwriting. Beginning as a child performer, Taylor later became a finalist on Canadian Idol and went on to earn a BFA in music from York University. Taylor has been recognized as a Kerrville New Folk and Four Winds Emerging Artist, has showcased at FAI and NERFA, and has toured extensively across Canada and the United States, including house concert circuits and major folk venues. In addition to a solo recording career, Taylor has written for film, television, and animation, and remain s active as a collaborative songwriter, producer, and community builder. Please welcome Taylor Abrahamse. THE MID-CENTURY MODERNES – Word Count: 85 Duration: 38 seconds The Mid-Century Modernes came together in Toronto four years ago, hailing from Kingston, Montreal, New York, New Jersey, and Toronto. They’re obsessed with the songs that once ruled the charts—drawing from classic soul, 60s pop, 70s rock, and a little Lower East Side attitude. Tonight, with special guests, they’re unleashing their first batch of original songs. So if you love a sticky hook and a hockey stick, these songs are for you. Here’s MCM with Uncovered. Lean in, fire it up, and groove on.
THE STOREYTELLERS – Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds The Storeytellers are led by songwriter and television producer David Storey. His debut album was named a Top Ten album of the year by Folk Roots Radio, followed by additional releases rooted in narrative songwriting. The band’s live shows focus on story-driven material and roots-based arrangements shaped by professional storytelling instincts. Here’s The Storeytellers.
THE YOUNG NOVELISTS Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds The Juno Nominated Young Novelists are a Toronto-based folk-roots band recognized nationally for their songwriting and harmonies. They are Canadian Folk Music Award winners and 2026 Juno Award nominees, known for recordings that translate seamlessly from duo to full-band performance and for live shows built on strong songs and ensemble playing. Please welcome The Young Novelists. TONY QUARRINGTON – Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Tony Quarrington is a guitarist and songwriter with more than five decades on the Canadian music scene. His career began in jazz before expanding into roots and pop songwriting, resulting in dozens of recordings and a Juno Award. Tony continues to perform and record, bringing deep experience and musical range to every project. Please welcome Tony Quarrington.
TONEY SPRINGER – Word count: 115 words –Estimated reading time: ~45 seconds Toney Springer, known professionally as Wild T, is a Trinidad-born, Toronto-raised guitarist who emerged on the Canadian music scene in the mid-1980s. He was voted Best Guitarist at the Canadian Black Music Awards early in his career and went on to form Wild T & The Spirit, releasing multiple recordings and earning national chart recognition. His international profile expanded when David Bowie selected him to play guitar on the Black Tie White Noise album, leading to television appearances with Bowie on Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Arsenio Hall. Over several decades, Wild T has toured across North America and Europe, building a reputation for powerful blues-rock performances. TYLER ELLIS Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Tyler Ellis is a singer-songwriter and collaborator whose work emphasizes melody, structure, and lyrical clarity. He is also known for co-writing with Julian Taylor on award-recognized material. Tyler continues to develop his own catalog of original songs shaped through collaboration and live performance. Give it up for Tyler Ellis. WAYNE NEON Word count: 96 Timing: 39–40 seconds Wayne Neon is a Toronto singer, songwriter, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist. He plays flute, clarinet and saxophones, guitar, piano, and percussion, in a dizzying variety of groups and styles, ranging from big band swing (Mississauga Big Band Jazz Ensemble) to rock (Axes of Evil), folk (Gordon’s Acoustic Living Room), jazz (York Jazz Ensemble), to hard-to-explain-in-words (Rambunctious). His music is eclectic, but always intensely musical, and always entertaining.
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