Artist Bios - Longshadow 2023
“Uchida-Hoekman Duo at Sundog". Thursday June 15, 7:30pm
$45 - ticket price includes delicious appetizers!
(also appearing on Friday June 16 - Free concert at the Leg.!)
Celebrate the versatility and warmth of classical strings with an intimate concert by two principal string players of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Concertmaster Robert Uchida has been applauded for his “ravishing sound, eloquence and hypnotic intensity” by Strings Magazine, while Rafael Hoekman is lauded as a ”rock star of the cello.” Their crowd-pleasing program journeys from traditional favorites through to brilliant contemporary selections inspired by world and folk music, and concludes with a Maritime medley sure to set toes tapping.
Robert Uchida - Violin and co-Director
Canadian violinist Robert Uchida, Concertmaster of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, enjoys a varied career as a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician, and educator. His debut recording of Andrew Violette’s Sonata for Unaccompanied Violin won international acclaim, with Strings Magazine praising his “ravishing sound, eloquence and hypnotic intensity.”
Before joining the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Robert was Concertmaster of Symphony Nova Scotia in Halifax, where he performed on a Juno-nominated recording with Sarah Slean, and recorded Requiem 21.5: Violin Concerto by Tim Brady, which won Classical Recording of the Year at the East Coast Music Awards. As a guest concertmaster, he has worked with the Netherlands Radio Chamber Philharmonic, Rotterdam Philharmonic, Royal Flemish Philharmonic, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Rafael Hoekman - cello
Rafael Hoekman has been called “a rock star of the cello,” “a powerful and passionate soloist,” and has been praised for his “spirited and fiery performances.” His varied career as a soloist, teacher, chamber and orchestral cellist has taken him on a journey across Canada. Originally from Newfoundland, Rafael is Principal Cellist of the Edmonton Symphony and on faculty at the University of Alberta. He has been a featured soloist with the Calgary Philharmonic, I Musici de Montreal and Edmonton, Quebec, Newfoundland, Red Deer and Sudbury Symphonies. As a member of the Tokai Quartet, Rafael was a prize winner at the Banff International String Quartet Competition. His principal teachers were Yuli Turovsky and Shauna Rolston.
Ragged Ass Swing Band
Sat June 17 2023
$35 - Top knight - 19+
The Ragged Ass Swing Band is Yellowknife’s newest and swingin’est group! A 15+ piece big band playing music from the swing, rock, latin, and jazz genres spanning over 100 years. Trumpets, saxophones, trombone, rhythm section + vocalists will get you out of your seats and up onto the dance floor. Their inaugural February show sold out within days - don’t wait to get this hot ticket!
Performers:
Trumpets: Al Jones, Ben Weber, Sean Daly, Meaghan Brackenbury, Amanda Weltman. Trombone: Joanna Wilson. Saxophones: Scott Lough, Julia Lacourse, Kristen Au, Mike Auty, Alycia Wilson. Rhythm Section: James McDonald, Rob Wilkinson, Alex Ketchum, Alan Yeoman, Carmen Braden. Voice: Margo Nightingale
Shea Alain - Friday June 16 - Free concert at the leg.
Shea Alain is a musician born and raised in the NWT. During his ten years of writing and touring with Calgary-based “Reuben and the Dark”, he developed a unique approach to songwriting, using lush soundscapes with rich, ethereal timbres. You can now find Shea crafting songs with his two-piece dark electro-pop ensemble Maazes. Shea's DIY approach to sample creation combines modulated drum machines and washed-out guitars under a collage of dreamlike lyrics. Shea is excited to share his solo compositions and one-piece Maazes arrangements in a collaborative setting at this year's Longshadow Music Festival.
Rob + Mike - Piano+Sax duo - Friday June 16 - Free concert at the leg.
Rob and Mike met as part of the Ragged Ass Swing Band and before they exchanged any english words, musical phrases were traded back and forth in between songs at practice. Coming together for an improv jazz performance on saxophone and keyboards, they will be playing tunes composed by recently deceased legends, Wayne Shorter and Chick Corea as well as some good old fashioned blues.
Rob Wilkinson
Rob Elo is a jazz pianist and multi-instrumentalist from Nanaimo, British Columbia, who now resides in Yellowknife. He has his diploma in Jazz Studies from Vancouver Island University, and has done years of study with the Royal Conservatory of Music in Canada. Rob’s piano stylings range from original folk and pop influenced compositions, to funk, soul, and blues, to traditional jazz standards in the style of Red Garland and Bobby Timmons.
Mike Auty
Mike Auty is a multi instrumentalist originally from Toronto. Growing up with a music teacher for a Dad meant that playing an instrument was not optional. He attended the Etobicoke School of Arts in Toronto where he majored in music playing the saxophone in the jazz combo and stage bands. He’s glad to be connecting with the music community in Yellowknife and sharing his love of all music that grooves.