News
Emilie-Claire Barlow Releases New Album: “Spark Bird”
Award-Winning Canadian Songstress Emilie-Claire Barlow Returns with Spark Bird. Her First Full Album in Five Years. Birds, a Constant Source of Joy and Inspiration for Barlow, Reignite Her Spark. Available March 31 via Empress Music.
Barlow Embarks on Her First-Ever American Tour in March
During the dark isolation days of the coronavirus pandemic, award-winning Canadian songstress Emilie-Claire Barlow found herself at an artistic crossroads. She questioned if she would ever want to make another record to add to her impressive 12-album oeuvre. She hadn’t been able to tour and she wasn’t aroused to assemble a new collection of songs.
In her 25-year career of delivering a distinctive and accessible style of vocal jazz, Barlow has accrued a remarkable resume of critical success, including seven Juno nominations, with two jazz vocal Juno awards—2013’s best Jazz Vocal Recording for her all-French song collection Seule ce soir and her Clear Day collaboration with the Metropole Orkest winning the same award in 2016. Also in 2013, Barlow scored a Felix Award for Seule ce soir as ADISQ’s Album of the Year—Jazz Interpretation. Previously, she had been named Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2008 National Jazz Awards.
So, despite the pause time of recent years, you can’t fully quiet a vital creative artist. Case in point: Barlow’s return to action with her brilliant new album, Spark Bird, that she co-produced with her partner Steve Webster.
After a five-year hiatus from releasing a full album, this year finds Barlow in fine Spark Bird shape to wing her career to a new plateau. Little did she guess during the dark times that a daily visit from a yellow-winged cacique that is native to the southern Pacific Coast of Mexico would inspire her to dedicate an entire album of songs to birds of all shapes and varieties.
Released on her own independent label, Empress Music Group, which she founded in 2005, Spark Bird takes flight in its entirety on March 31. As Barlow writes in her liner notes, “A bird arrives and changes everything.” Before its debut, she is offering a cascade of singles, beginning January 20 and continuing every two weeks until the release date. “Birds have the power to completely transport me,” says Barlow, who splits her time between Toronto and Mexico where she and Webster are building a house with a fully operational studio. “So, when I decided to do the album, I started going down this path of gathering songs about birds. They’re my joy, my fascination. These songs tell a story.”
The first hatching comes with Barlow delivering a bright jazz voyage into the Harold Arlen-Yip Harburg standard, “Over the Rainbow” (the single released on January 20). Relaxed yet energetic, Barlow leads the way for her quintet to soar into a percussive bossa swing. True to her theme, she buoyantly sings, “If bluebirds fly over the rainbow, why can’t I fly?”
Barlow follows the first single on February 3 with the playful single “Fais comme l’oiseau” (translated: “Do Like the Bird”) where she delightfully sings in French the hopeful voice of bird-like patience while swinging with tenor saxophonist Kelly Jefferson’s lyrical lines. Choral translation: “Act like a bird/It lives on pure air and fresh water/On a bit of hunting and fishing/But nothing ever stops it from going higher.”
Both singles offer a fresh beginning to a captivating eight-song avian journey that began with the magical cacique incident.
“In our Mexican home, the biodiversity is incredible,” Barlow says. “The bird activity is off the charts. My first personal experience came when a bird kept tapping on the window of our guest room and squawking loudly. When I tried to catch a glimpse, it would fly out. So we set up a camera and caught this wonderful, comical activity of a yellow-winged cacique that I discovered was a very common bird for this area. I started spotting them everywhere and hearing them—their vocabulary fascinates me.”
She started to tune into the variety of bird voices that she says is a “constant soundtrack,” with rhythmic tapping, high-pitched whistles, piercing calls, soft sporadic whistles, diatonic melodies. “It’s the closest thing to living in an aviary,” she says. “As the sun appears, you hear the orchestra warm up. Birds are nature’s musicians.”
Barlow hastens to note that while she is not a member of an organized birder group, her appreciation of the choirs and colors of birds has heightened her passion to learn more about her winged discoveries.
Other bird songs include a show-stopping, uptempo reimagining of Stevie Wonder’s 1974 hit “Bird of Beauty” (part of the chorus encouraging ”Take a chance and ride the bird of beauty of the sky”). Then there’s Barlow’s unique sexy, romantic, blues-touched read of the Hoagie Carmichael/Johnny Mercer standard “Skylark” with a surprising swell of strings arranged by Drew Jurecka. On the Gershwin & Gershwin classic tune, “Little Jazz Bird,” Barlow swerves from the obvious with the playful song—adding in another popular melody from the ’20s, “When the Red, Red Robin (Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along),” as a countermelody and ending the song with guitarist Reg Schwager’s solo that Barlow uses for a noteworthy stretch of vocalese.
Barlow sings deep into the mystery and longing of the futuristic “Where Will I Be?”—“When there’s no more rain, no more sun/Will there still be birds?”—by the Toronto-based composer Hannah Barstow who plays piano on the track and in Spanish renders Manolo Garcia’s “Pájaros de Barro” in a duo format with pianist Chris Donnelly as the appropriate closing song about seizing the day and flying free.
The most poignant song of the collection is Barlow’s moving take on Coldplay’s “O” that was arranged by band pianist Amanda Tosoff. “This song has a special meaning,” the singer says. “I tragically lost a young family member in a plane crash. He and I and his mom were big fans of Coldplay, so the lyrics of ‘fly on’ are so relevant. I played this at his funeral. For this album version, we used strings and Rachel Therrien offers a melancholic, mournful flugelhorn solo.”
In addition to the bird songs of joy and sorrow on Spark Bird, Barlow has worked with graphic designer Caroline Brown of Whitebear Design to create original bird illustrations. “Caroline’s avatars for each song are so whimsical, playful and special,” Barlow says. “And she has me interacting with them in some way. There’s a happy orange-breasted bunting for ‘Over the Rainbow,’ a graceful and solitary great blue heron for the darkness of ‘Fais comme l’oiseau,’ a flock of swallows for ‘O,’ a ridiculously cute Australian pink robin for ‘Little Jazz Bird.’ And the signature bird for ‘Pájaros de Barro’ is my yellow-winged cacique.”
So, Spark Bird ends with the noisy, comical bird that served as the inspiration for her soulful, emotive music. In her liner notes, Barlow writes, “When that cacique tapped on my window, I felt a spark. Not just a budding bird obsession, but the curiosity and desire to see what life would be like if I spent more time in this place that makes me feel so buoyant and full of wonder…the birds—a constant source of joy and inspiration—have reignited my spark. For that, I’m full of gratitude.”
YouTube Audio – Emilie-Claire Barlow – Over the Rainbow
2023 Tour Dates
- Mar 25 – Minneapolis, MN – Crooners Supper Club
- Mar 26 – Austin, TX – Parker’s Jazz
- Mar 29 – San Antonio, TX – Jazz, TX
- Mar 31 – New York, NY – Birdland
- April 1 – New York, NY – Birdland
- April 2 – New York, NY – Birdland
- April 5 – Denver, CO – Nocturne
- April 6 – Boise, ID– Sapphire Room
- April 7 – The 1905 – Portland
- May 26 – Quebec, QC – Palais Montcalm
- May 27 – Delray Beach, FL – Arts Garage
- July 6 – Montreal Jazz Fest – Monument National
- July 21 – Campbellford, ON – Westben The Barn Series
Illustration by Caroline Brown – Whitebear Design
Emilie-Claire Barlow · Spark Bird
Empress Music · Release Date: March 31, 2023
Source content: DL Media Music
The nominations for the 55th Annual JUNO Awards are officially in—and they paint a vivid portrait of a Canadian music scene that is both globally dominant and richly diverse at home.
Unveiled by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) on January 27, this year’s JUNOS feature 248 nominations across 47 categories. The winners will be revealed during The JUNO Awards Gala Presented by Music Canada on Saturday, March 28, followed by the nationally broadcast awards show live from Hamilton’s TD Coliseum on Sunday, March 29. Canadians can tune in across CBC platforms, with global viewers watching via CBC Music’s YouTube channel.
Pop Power and Global Impact
Leading the nominations are Justin Bieber and Tate McRae, each earning six nods—the most either artist has received in a single JUNO season. For Bieber, an eight-time JUNO winner with 32 career nominations, the recognition marks another milestone in an already storied career. Among his nominations is Single of the Year Presented by Sunrise Records for “Daisies,” underscoring his continued relevance and evolution on the global stage.
Tate McRae, meanwhile, continues her meteoric ascent. With 17 previous JUNO nominations and multiple wins last year, her six new nominations confirm her status as one of Canada’s most compelling young exports. A year of chart-topping singles, international touring, and artistic growth has positioned her firmly at the forefront of contemporary pop.
Close behind are Cameron Whitcomb and The Weeknd, each earning five nominations. Whitcomb’s story stands out: fresh off two wins at the Canadian Country Music Awards, he makes a powerful TD JUNOS debut with nominations in major categories including Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year, Country Album of the Year, and TD JUNO Fan Choice. It’s a breakout moment that signals a fast-rising career.
The Weeknd, already one of the most decorated artists in JUNOS history with 22 wins and 46 nominations, continues to expand his legacy. His five nominations this year reinforce his global stature and creative ambition.
Daniel Caesar earns four nominations and will also receive the International Achievement Award during the broadcast, recognizing his worldwide impact. He joins a performance lineup that includes The Beaches—fresh from their 2025 Group of the Year win—and six-time winner Jessie Reyez, who earns three nominations this year.
A Historic First: Latin Music Recording of the Year
One of the most significant developments in 2026 is the introduction of a brand-new category: Latin Music Recording of the Year. This historic addition reflects the growing influence and creative excellence of Latin music within Canada’s cultural landscape.
The inaugural nominees—Alex Cuba, Lido Pimienta, Andy Rubal, Isabella Lovestory, and Mario Puglia—represent a spectrum of sounds and identities shaping Latin music from a distinctly Canadian vantage point. Their inclusion marks an important step in acknowledging the genre’s evolution and impact nationwide.
Celebrating Community and Education
Beyond chart-toppers and global icons, the JUNOS continue to spotlight the grassroots foundations of Canadian music.
MusiCounts, CARAS’ music education charity, has announced five nominees for the MusiCounts Teacher of the Year Award, presented by Anthem Entertainment. Educators from Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta are recognized for their outstanding contributions to school music programs. The winner will receive a JUNO statuette, a $10,000 cash prize, and a MusiCounts grant for their school—an investment in the next generation of Canadian musicians.
Hamilton Takes Centre Stage
As the JUNOS return to Hamilton, the city’s own talent is in the spotlight. Waterdown native Josh Ross, last year’s Country Album of the Year winner, earns four nominations following a breakout year. Hamilton icons Daniel Lanois—an eight-time JUNO winner and Canadian Music Hall of Fame inductee—receives a nomination for Album Artwork of the Year, while Brendan Joseph Murphy of Counterparts earns a first nod in Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year.
Adding an intergenerational dimension, 2026 Canadian Music Hall of Fame Inductee Nelly Furtado is nominated for Pop Album of the Year for her eleventh album, 7. With 22 career nominations and 10 wins, her continued presence reflects a legacy still in motion.
A Truly National Celebration
From Francophone Album of the Year nominees Ariane Roy, Fredz, JF Pauze, Lou-Adriane Cassidy, and Pierre Lapointe, to Contemporary Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year contenders Aysanabee, Sebastian Gaskin, Shawnee Kish, Siibii, and Tia Wood, the 2026 JUNOS highlight the artistic breadth that defines Canadian music today.
In total, 65 artists are making their TD JUNOS debut this year—an unmistakable signal of renewal and emergence alongside established legends.
As Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming Stan Cho noted, the JUNO Awards not only celebrate artistic excellence but also underscore culture’s vital role in driving tourism and economic growth.
On March 29, the country—and much of the world—will be watching as Hamilton hosts a celebration that honours legacy, amplifies new voices, and reflects the ever-evolving soundtrack of Canada.
For the complete list of nominees and artist bios, visit junoawards.ca.
The countdown is on — we’re just one month away from the 2025 Toronto Jazz Festival!
The Toronto Jazz Fest is celebrating its 38th year from June 20 to 29 with 10 days of FREE outdoor performances alongside ticketed shows featuring some of the best local and international jazz artists. With venues across the city, the Toronto Jazz Fest will have neighbourhoods pulsing with music, culture, and community as Toronto reaffirms its place as one of North America’s most vibrant music cities.
OLG Opening Weekend kicks off the Festival’s free admission programming with an incredible diversity of music. From the tap dance of Johnathan Morin to the groove of Soul Stew to David Occhipinti’s chamber jazz and the blues and soul of Dione Taylor, OLG Opening Weekend is a fantastic snapshot of the breadth of the Festival’s programming.
This year’s Sounds Like Toronto series shines a spotlight on homegrown talent. This curated lineup celebrates musicians who are not only building on the legacy of jazz but reshaping it through the lens of Toronto’s multicultural identity. From Waleed Kush Afro-Jazz to Dánae Olano to Lavender Town, Alex Pangman and Jeremy Ledbetter, you’ll get to hear why jazz made in Toronto sounds like nowhere else in the world.
Sidewalk Sessions presented by OLG will bring music directly to the streets, turning the Bloor-Yorkville neighbourhood’s sidewalks into spontaneous stages where passersby can discover some of Toronto’s most engaging musicians. From the Flamenco of Tamar Ilana, the trad sounds of the West End Riverboat Band, the soulful SexBandit or Tania Gill’s bike-powered trio, discover some of Toronto’s most engaging musicians!
For ten days, some of the best musicians in the world will join our lineup. From gospel, blues, soul and civil rights icon Mavis Staples, to forward-looking drummer and producer Makaya McCraven, to the incredible Pakistani vocalist Arooj Aftab and local legends Broken Social Scene, you’re sure to find your musical taste on a Festival stage
Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime concert event, celebrating Toronto’s musical legacy with performances by Jackie Richardson, Molly Johnson, Joe Sealy, Jay Douglas, Joy Lapps and many more.
Catch a stellar series of shows featuring top performers from across North America in an intimate club setting – don’t miss your chance to see these outstanding artists up close!
To learn more, see the full festival schedule, or to buy tickets visit: torontojazz.com
The 2025 Toronto Jazz Festival has been made possible in part by the generous support of OLG; The Government of Canada; the Province of Ontario; the Ontario Arts Council; the Toronto Arts Council; ABCRA; and the Bloor-Yorkville BIA. Community support provided by GYRA. “Sounds Like Toronto” is supported by The City of Toronto Music Office, the Music Performance Trust Fund and the Toronto Musicians Association; Long & McQuade is Presenting Partner for Festival educational initiatives.
Source: Toronto Jazz Fest
For 45 years, the Ottawa Jazz Festival has been a big part of the Canadian jazz community, proudly celebrating the talent and innovation of musicians from across the country. Each year, the city comes alive with the sound of over 350 Canadian artists, transforming downtown Ottawa into a hub of rhythm, creativity, and connection.
This rich tradition continues from June 20 to June 29, 2025, as the Festival once again shines a national spotlight on Canadian jazz with a stellar lineup that stretches from coast to coast to coast. From the electrifying energy of Main Stage headliners to the boundary-pushing brilliance of artists featured throughout each series, the 2025 edition promises an unforgettable musical journey.
Not just performers – they’re award-winning artists, renowned composers, dynamic conductors, and passionate educators from some of the top music institutions in the world. They’re improvisers and innovators defining the sound of Canadian jazz today – and tomorrow.
And the celebration doesn’t stop there. Stay tuned for the announcement of the outstanding free local lineup, featuring some of Ottawa’s finest jazz talent.
Friday, June 20
- Allison Russell – Main Stage, 8:30pm (Opening Night Headliner)
Self-taught singer, songwriter, poet, activist, multi-instrumentalist and Grammy-winning artist from Montreal, redefines 21st-century music with her powerful second album The Returner. - Carl Mayotte Quartet – Main Stage at Confederation Park, 6:30pm
Bassist and grand laureate of the 2020-2021 Radio-Canada Jazz Revelation title, his latest album Carnaval, which is a vibrant tribute to Brazilian and Latin music. - Christine Jensen Quartet – NAC Fourth Stage, 6:30pm
Saxophonist, composer and conductor from Montreal, the Juno award winner for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year in 2011 and 2014 currently resides in Rochester, where she is an Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at the Eastman School of Music. - Tanika Charles – OLG Stage at Marion Dewar Plaza (in front of Ottawa City Hall), 7:30pm
A leading voice in Canadian soul, with two Juno nominations and three Polaris Prize long-list nods. - François Houle‘s The Secret Lives of Colour – NAC Fourth Stage, 9pm
A renowned clarinetest and composer who leads a global ensemble of the music world’s top improvisers including Joëlle Léandre – double bass, Myra Melford – piano, Gerry Hemingway – percussion and Gordon Grdina – guitar/oud. - The Bros. Landreth – OLG Stage After Dark Series, 10:30pm
Juno-winning band blending roots, soul, and atmospheric textures. Come Morning reflects the introspection of the pandemic era.
Saturday, June 21
- Peggy Lee with Open Thread – NAC Fourth Stage, 4pm
Renowned cellist, improvisor and composer from Vancouver. Now living in Australia and performing with Open Thread. Together, the group weaves together music with anthemic melodies, diverse rhythmic structures and a broad range of improvised landscapes. - Deborah Davis and Segue to Jazz – Main Stage, 6:30pm
Opening for Mavis Staples, vocalist Deborah Davis explores jazz’s evolution from Gospel to the contemporary era. - Anna Webber’s Simple Trio – NAC Fourth Stage, 9pm
Guggenheim-winning saxophonist and flutist, and co-chair of Jazz Studies at New England Jazz Conservatory. - La Pambelé in collaboration with Axé World Fest – OLG Stage, 10:30pm
A high-energy Colombian salsa dura band featuring members of Canada’s Legaia Salsa Brava.
Sunday, June 22
- Shuffle Demons – Main Stage, 6:30pm
Pioneering indie-jazz fusion band known for their explosive style and early MuchMusic success. - Pony Girl – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
Ottawa artpop collective praised for their sonic depth and genre-bending live performances.
Tuesday, June 24
- Prime Rib Big Band – Main Stage, 6:30pm
Led by trumpeter, composer and musical director Ed Lister, this 12-piece powerhouse brings swinging, feel-good energy to Ottawa. - Peter Van Huffel‘s “CALLISTO” – NAC Fourth Stage, 6:30pm
Latest avant-jazz project from saxophonist Peter Van Huffel, a bass-less quartet that blurs the lines between composition and free improvisation also with Canada’s extraordinary trumpeter Lina Allemano. - Polky – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
Toronto-based group of multi-talented female immigrant musicians offering high-energy performances and distinctive harmonies. - Marc Copland & Roddy Ellias– NAC Fourth Stage, 9pm
American pianist Marc Copland is considered brilliant and Canadian guitarist Roddy Ellias has been described as a genius. Together they bring to their duo a lyric sensibility and harmonic depth second to none. This performance in Ottawa marks their debut as a duo.
Wednesday, June 25
- Canadian Jazz Collective Septet – Main Stage, 6:30pm
Award-winning Canadian jazz artists, take a collaborative approach to the presentation of original Canadian jazz on the international market. The Collective’s repertoire consists of original compositions from saxophonist Kirk MacDonald, and trumpeter Derrick Gardner, and guitarist Lorne Lofsky, all specially arranged for this ensemble. - Tony D – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
MonkeyJunk guitarist returns with Electric Delta, his first solo project in two decades.
Thursday, June 26
- Broken Social Scene – Main Stage, 8:30pm (Headliner)
The legendary Canadian collective, created by Toronto musicians Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning, returns with their ever-evolving, boundary-pushing musical energy. - Carn Davidson 9 – Main Stage, 6:30pm
A chamber jazz ensemble led by William Carn and Tara Davidson, showcasing rich arrangements and dynamic interplay. - Kris Davis Trio feat. Robert Hurst & Jonathan Blake – NAC Azrieli Studio, 7pm
Grammy-winning pianist and Associate Program Director of Creative Development at the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, performs with two jazz heavyweights. - iskwē | ᐃᐢᑫᐧᐤ (short for waseskwan iskwew, meaning “blue sky woman”) – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
Cree Métis artist blending Indigenous sounds with electronic rhythms across a bold, genre-defying catalogue.
Saturday, June 28
- Thanya Iyer – Main Stage, 6:30pm
Experimental pop visionary exploring themes of identity and healing on her new album TIDE/TIED. - Magi Merlin – OLG Stage, 7:30pm
Bold, soulful artist pushing against commercial norms with her latest introspective project A Weird Little Dog. - Utopia Ontario – NAC Fourth Stage, 9pm
Named after a quiet Ontario town, north of Toronto nestled on the Nottawasaga River, their music evokes nature, nostalgia, and introspective calm. - June 29 Jazz Youth Summit – Main Stage, 6:30pm
Nine emerging jazz music students Ottawa’s high schools and universities take the spotlight in an intensive program that runs during the Festival. Many also perform with renowned musicians in the Late-Night Jamming Series at the Lord Elgin Hotel.
Source: Ottawa Jazz Festival
Meditation in Motion: Remembering the Healing Flow of Abdullah Ibrahim
This article captures a 2012 Guelph Jazz Festival performance by the late Abdullah Ibrahim at the River Run Centre, incorporating...
Sonny Sounding So Sweet: A Tribute
Sonny Rollins passed away on May 25, 2026, at his home in Woodstock, New York. He was 95. With his...
John Coltrane and the Paradox of Dance
The Room Upstairs is a sold-out, critically acclaimed production — and that tells you something. The Winchester Street Theatre was...
Audrey Ochoa: The Trombone as Storyteller in Contemporary Canadian Jazz
A Voice Beyond Boundaries In the evolving landscape of Canadian jazz, few artists embody creative freedom as vividly as Audrey...
Ariacne Trujillo at Jazz Café in Escazú, Costa Rica
Too Darn Hot! In eager anticipation of a live performance at the renowned Jazz Cafe in Costa Rica—quite close to...
A Defining Year for Canadian Music: 2026 JUNO Award Nominees Announced
The nominations for the 55th Annual JUNO Awards are officially in—and they paint a vivid portrait of a Canadian music...
Marta Elena – Por Amor
Set for release in April 2026 on Lulaworld Records, Por Amor finds Toronto-based Cuban-Canadian singer Marta Elena delivering her most...
A a | a B : B E N D
Ambrose Akinmusire and Aszure Barton = BEND | Bluma Appel Theatre, Toronto — December 5, 2025 | The prospect of...
MJ the Musical at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto. Oct 25, 2025
MJ the Musical debuted on Broadway on February 1, 2022. It was directed and created by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. The...
The Vaudevillian at the 2025 Markham Jazz Festival
Sunday, August 17, 2025—On a sunlit afternoon at the 2025 Markham Jazz Festival, amid the constant flow of festivalgoers along...
