TORONTO – MONDAY, OCTOBER 20TH – "
Let’s Find A Way" is a labour of love or “kenoronhkwa” (in the Mohawk language of the Iroquois confederacy, it is the word for "love medicine") that began with the hopes of bringing international attention and relief to children either affected or infected by the HIV virus. It’s a concern that reaches across borders, religions and political beliefs; never before have so many performers come together in song, from around the world, to raise awareness of the need for help in fighting this deadly disease. For more information, please visit
http://www.letsfindaway.ca/.In 2006,
Robin Tomlin (Chair of the Let’s Find A Way Society) approached songwriters
Phil Koochin and
Kevan Ehman to write a song that would inspire hope all over the world and serve as an AIDS international anthem. He could not turn a blind eye to the fact that children worldwide are being orphaned, left homeless, hungry or dying, due to this ravaging virus, and that they desperately need our help and support.
Once the song was complete, Tomlin’s dream really began to take shape when multi-talented Toronto artist
Waleed Abdulhamid came on board as Musical Director of the project. He produced and recomposed the song and successfully recruited top-notch international musicians and performers to sing in their native languages.
Highly acclaimed artists such as
Blood Sweat and Tears frontman
David Clayton Thomas,
Zaki Ibrahim, as well as the dulcet tones of the
Orpheus Choir of Toronto all added their enormous talent and goodwill to the project. Over time, many more people got involved, whether for religious or personal reasons, or just for the love of children. The result of these efforts are three unique versions of the song entitled “Let’s Find A Way” - an English version, a multicultural version featuring 13 languages, and another with rap and spoken word, featuring US artist
Ursula Rucker and Toronto poet/activist
Boona Mohammad.
A documentary of the process, including interviews with performers and organizers, is also set for release in October of this year. The Let’s Find A Way Society hopes that people of all walks of life will be moved to purchase the CD/DVD package, and/or make a donation to this worthiest of causes by visiting the Lets Find A Way Society website.
The three versions of the song and a DVD are available now at iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, mTraks, and through
http://www.letsfindaway.ca/. All proceeds will be disbursed internationally to marginal communities, including Aboriginal youth populations that do not have direct access to HIV/AIDS support.
ARTIST BIOS PHIL KOOCHIN & KEVAN EHMAN - Songwriters
Phil Koochin and
Kevan Ehman both grew up in British Columbia, where they spent their youth forming and playing in many popular and successful bands. Over the years they have formed a bond of experience and creativity which has resulted in a diverse and unique repertoire of original music. Their songs bridge musical genres effortlessly and reach across all boundaries to share a passion for music that can make a difference.
KGOMOTSO (KG) TSATSI – English -
www.myspace.com/musicbykgKgomotso Tsatsi was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she began studying music as a young child. While only 21, she recently participated in the USA World Showcase, where she made the top 20 out of over 40,000 auditions. She performs regularly in and around Southern Ontario as the lead singer of her own R&B-blues band,
The Hip Kings, and has just released her first EP,
The Art of Love.
ZAKI IBRAHIM – French -
www.zakiibrahim.comBorn in Vancouver, BC, and raised between South Africa and Canada’s West Coast, vocal sensation
Zaki Ibrahim has performed at Capetown’s historic Armchair Theatre, toured Canada with South Africa’s
Tumi and the Volume, as well as with
The Roots and
Bedouin Soundclash.
FATIMA - Spanish and German -
www.myspace.com/fatimanycBorn to a European mother and an African father,
Fatima studied classical music in Germany while pursuing her love of Arabic music. She is currently living in New York City, where she has earned both a music and theatre degree.
RUTH MATHIANG - Swahili –
www.myspace.com/ruthenfriendsRuth Mathiang was born in Malakal-Sudan and is quickly becoming one of the rising stars of African music in Toronto. Growing up in Kenya, Ruth performed with local musicians in styles ranging from traditional music to hip hop. In 2006, she recorded her second album, which is a mixture of hip hop, reggae, Afrobeat, and gospel.
YUI KIEWBORIBOON - Chinese
Born in Thailand,
Yui Kiewboriboon is now the volunteer Executive Secretary at the Thai Society of Ontario in Toronto and is the co-host of "Thai News Radio" at AM 1430, which entertains the local Thai community with music and news updates.
URSULA RUCKER – rap and spoken word -
www.ursula-rucker.comUrsula Rucker is a spoken word artist from the United States and is known for her diverse repertoire and performances with
The Roots,
Mos Def, and
Nina Simone.
DAVID CLAYTON THOMAS - English -
www.davidclaytonthomas.comBest known as the frontman [after
Al Kooper] of Canadian band
Blood, Sweat & Tears,
David Clayton Thomas has sold over 40 million records and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1996 and, in 2007, was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame.
SAMIDHA JOGLEKAR - Hindi
Born in New Brunswick and raised in Guelph, Ontario,
Samidha Joglekar began her vocal training in western classical music at the age of ten and has since developed a deep appreciation for the Hindustani vocal music of her heritage.
ANTON MAMINE - Russian
Opera sensation
Anton Mamine was born in Moscow and placed first in the Kiwanis Music Festival of Toronto's "Grand Opera" category in both 2007 and 2008. He performed at the opening of the Four Seasons Centre, and performed his solo debut at Roy Thomson Hall in 2007.
VALU DAVID - Portuguese -
www.valudavid.comAt the age of twelve,
Valu David began his musical career singing at youth festivals and church choirs in his home of Angola, Africa. After migrating to Canada, he studied music at Toronto’s Seneca College to become a sound engineer. Today the singer- songwriter, composer and producer has brought his combination of mainstream jazz, soul/R&B and African beats from Angola to Toronto. He sings in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and in some Angolan dialects such as Kimbundo, Humbundo, and Kikongo.
BOONAA MOHAMMED - Rap -
www.boonaa.comAs a youth activist,
Boonaa Mohammed has taken leadership roles in organizations such as the Black Youth Coalition Against Violence, B.L.O.C.K. headz, and the Toronto Youth Cabinet. He has won numerous poetry slams around Toronto, and he has been featured in the historical “When Brothers Speak” spoken word concert. Boonaa was a member of Team Toronto in the Canadian Festival of Spoken Words and is currently touring high schools with the “Stolen From Africa” movement.
LIZZY MAHASHE - Zulu -
www.myspace.com/mahasheLizzy Mahashe was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and has been recognized with awards and nominations from the Black Label Artist Coalition Award - African Canadian Music, Toronto African Music Award - "Best Female Performer".
DENISE WHITCOMB - Thai
Denise Whitcomb is the Assistant Director of the Thai Dance Troupe of Ottawa. Studying at the University of Ottawa in Arts Administration, music and dance has always been an integral part of her life. She has dabbled in the traditional dances of Scotland, India, Indonesia and the diverse Canadian cultures; however, Thai classical and folk dance are her forte.
DAVID MARACLE - Mohawk, Iroquoian - Celtic flutes -
www.davidrmaracle.comWith no formal training in the arts or music,
David Maracle believes his talents are a gift from the Creator. He is a six-time Canadian Aboriginal Music Award winner, has won the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Awards for "Best Instrumental Album" in 2007, has two gold records globally, and played to the Queen for her Jubilee.
ORPHEUS CHOIR OF TORONTO -
www.orpheuschoirtoronto.comThe
Orpheus Choir of Toronto has earned a reputation as one of Toronto 's most distinguished and important choirs. The 60-voice group is now in its 43rd season and sings in French, Spanish, and English on this recording.
ROBERT COOPER – Orpheus Choir of Toronto Conductor -
www.orpheuschoirtoronto.com/7.htmlOne of Canada ’s leading conductors of choral music,
Robert Cooper is currently also the Artistic Director of
Chorus Niagara, the
Opera in Concert Chorus, and the
Faculty of Music Women’s Chorus, University of Toronto. He brings fine choral music to all of Canada as Executive Producer of Opera and Choral Music for CBC Radio Two. He was recently made a member of the Order of Canada.
WALEED ABDULHAMID – Arabic - Electric Bass & Acoustic Guitar
www.myspace.com/waleedabdulhamidWaleed Abdulhamid is the Project Manager, Music Director and Producer of the recording of “Let’s Find A Way”. He is also responsible for recomposing the original song to the version that is now heard on the recording. Originally from Sudan, the multi-instrumentalist, composer, vocalist and producer has been an active member of the Toronto music scene since his arrival in Canada in 1992. Waleed leads his African jazz band,
Radio Nomad, which won "Band of the Year" at the Toronto African Music Awards in 2000.
MARK KELSO - Drums -
www.groovydrums.comOriginally hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland,
Mark Kelso has made Toronto his home for quite some time. He has performed with
Herbie Hancock,
Paquito D'Rivera,
Jane Bunnett & Spirits of Havana and
Montuno Police.
RICHARD GREENSPOON - Drums
Toronto-based
Richard Greenspoon is an accomplished drummer and teacher whose credits include studio work, feature film recordings, touring and a large student base.
BRUCE CASSIDY - Trumpet -
www.brucecassidymusic.comBorn in Fredericton and schooled in Nova Scotia,
Bruce Cassidy is the Musical Director for
David Clayton Thomas and is one of the most sought-after jazz musicians in Toronto.
RAVI NAIMPALLY - Tabla
Ravi Naimpally was born in Kanpur, India, where his parents ran a classical music society. This gave Ravi the opportunity to listen to some of the legends of Hindustani music. Today, Ravi has accompanied many of India's finest artists, including vocalist
Lakshmi Shankar, sarod maestro
Buddadev Das Gupta, and kathak dancer
Pratap Pawar.
JOHN EBATA - Piano & Keyboard -
www.myspace.com/johnebataJohn Ebata's talents run deep in the music world as a musician, songwriter, arranger, producer, musical director and recording engineer. As a recording engineer, his
Time Warp album was nominated for "Jazz Album of the Year" at the Juno Music Awards. As a writer, his song, “Hit & Run Lover”, won "Rhythm & Blues Song of the Year" at the Black Music Awards of Canada.
DEREK THORNE – Congas & Percussion -
www.myspace.com/riddumBorn in Trinidad,
Derek Thorne performs regularly in the Toronto area with
Kobo Town,
Ballet Creole, and various other jazz artists.
LAURENCE STEVENSON - Violin -
www.myspace.com/laurencestevensonLaurence Stevenson is a radio producer for CBC Radio One's “Outfront”. Outside of work, he plays violin and electric mandolin in several bands, utilizing a variety of styles including traditional folk, electric Celtic, flamenco, experimental electronica, prog rock, jazz-rock fusion and African music.
HENNIE BEKKER - Piano -
http://www.henniebekker.com/Hennie Bekker is an award-winning, multi-platinum selling musician whose eclectic career spans decades, continents, generations and genres.
JORDAN LIPSONHELEN COXONLet’s Find A Way Society gratefully acknowledges the support from the Producers of the CTV’s "Corner Gas", David Livingstone and Empire New Media, TXN Installations, Arbor Records, iTunes, Napster, Rhapsody, mTraks, Robert Cooper and Helen Coxon.
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For more information, photos, interviews, please contact:
Tim Des IsletsAssistant Publicist
SPEAK Musictim@speak-music.com647-233-7824
www.speak-music.com------------------------------------------------
