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Alexandria, ON’s Contemporary Jazz Singer KATIE DITSCHUN Sends Peace & Warmth with “Be Still”

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Canadian contemporary jazz pop singer/songwriter Katie Ditschun offers a moment of calm and cause for pause this holiday season with the release of her new single, “Be Still.”

“For me, this is a winter song to sing during Christmastime,” Ditschun says, “but the lyrics don’t mention a specific holiday, so it’s really for anyone who enjoys the warm glow of light on a winter’s night.

“My hope is that people will listen to it, maybe all cozied up by the fire, and feel the calm and peacefulness I wanted to bring them. I consider ‘Be Still’ to be a kind of ‘Silent Night.’

“In January of 2020, I found myself inspired to write this song,” she reflects. “Christmas 2019 had been a quiet, peaceful holiday for me, so the lyrics are simply about taking the time during the holiday season to slow down and fully appreciate the beauty, joy, and peace that we can see, feel, and share.

“At this time, leading into Christmas 2020, our society is struggling. It’s my hope we will soon remember how love brings us hope and joy.”

“Be Still” is the newest single to arrive from Katie Ditschun following the release of her debut album, Spare Skirt (2019).

In addition to writing throughout the year, Ditschun offered audiences around the world a virtual respite from the goings-on through an extensive and pioneering series of virtual performances and complimentary introductory vocal lessons via Facebook.

Born and raised in Brantford, Ontario, Ditschun spent time in Montreal, Quebec following her studies at Berklee College of Music for jazz and contemporary vocals before returning to her home province; she is also a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Ontario Registered Music Teachers’ Association. Though she was diagnosed at 18 months old with juvenile arthritis, beginning piano lessons at age four to keep her fingers moving, it was the onset of her mother’s terminal illness that gave Ditschun the push to pursue music full-time.

Canadian Jazz Chanteuse MICHELE MELE Harnesses The Spirit Of Christmas On Yuletide EP

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Despite her having graced most prestigious stages, it’s all about home for Schomberg, ON’s Michele Mele: her YouTube “Michele in the Kitchen,” where she reveals the secrets of home cooking — and sings, and her series “Concerts at Michele’s,” where she meets famous musicians in a comfortable domestic atmosphere of her Schomberg home — and, again, sings.

So it’s a little wonder that Ms. Mele’s latest release, out on November 16th, is titled “Cozy Christmas” — but then, it has to be a little wonder, because it’s an EP, a mini-album comprising four pieces.

Preceded by a scintillating single “Christmas Time In Canada” — Michele’s original song — this record, a small collection of seasonal favourites, oozes class the listeners associate with the Ontarian and is more than likely to multiply the number of her fans.

Indeed, one will find it difficult to resist the minimal setting in which Mele intimately intones the Yuletide classics — “The Christmas Song,” “Let It Snow,” “Merry Little Christmas” and “Winter Wonderland” — as they go way beyond familiarity, and not only because of a personal twist that Michele added to the perennials, making them her own, but also because of the strong emotions underlying, and contrasting, the singer’s deceptively calm delivery.

This approach might be the reason why it took the Canadian so long to mold the album, whose history runs back to 2012 when Mele had an idea of making a Xmas album in a bossa nova style and, both surprisingly and understandably, could not wait until winter to lay down the record’s first tune.

“We recorded ‘Winter Wonderland’ on a hot summer day,” says Mele. “And I remember sitting on the deck at our cottage on Lake Wah Wash Kesh that weekend, listening to the first mix and just loved it! I was so happy that [producer] Greg [Kavanagh] found a way to include that beautiful harp glissando!”

Still, “Cozy Christmas” wasn’t destined to join the line of her full-length offerings – Mele’s issued six of these to the date – and “Winter Wonderland” is returning now alongside other seasonal cuts on the EP which will complement Michele’s previous, sultry albums such as “Cha Cha” and “Naked On The Rocks” — the latter a companion piece to the artist’s one-woman show of the same title.

Yet her efforts aren’t limited by writing and performing — be it solo, with her own ensemble or as part of the trio called ROBERM, where her voice joins the pianos of Bernie Senensky and Robi Botos. The Ontarian’s musical “Universe in a Kiss” combines music with circus and science, while Sunburst Festival that she created and curates is set to “honour and promote young professional musicians and visual artists who are carrying the legacy of art and culture into the future.”

Add to the list the aforementioned video endeavors, and pursuits in scuba diving, slalom water-skiing and the trapeze, and you’ll have an all-round character who cares about kindred spirits as if they were her family.

It’s all about home for Michele Mele, remember?

And what can be more home-like than Christmas that’s bound to be much cozier with this little record!

Hamilton, ON’s ALEX WHORMS Sings the Bittersweet Sentiment on Holiday Classic “I’ll Be Home For Christmas”

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With a voice CBC calls “incredibly earnest” with an “honest purity,” award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter Alex Whorms delivers a stunning and timely rendition of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” in time for an unprecedented season.

“The idea for this project came about last year,” Whorms recalls. “I was on tour to promote my EP, Burgundy, and I met producer Micah Doern at a radio interview at Ryerson University’s CJRU. We became friends after that, and decided to try recording together.”

Whorms’ rendition of the holiday classic first recorded by Bing Crosby in 1943 was recorded and mixed by Doern, and mastered by JUNO Award-winning and GRAMMY Award-nominee Dan Brodbeck.

“I was looking for a change in my sound this year,” she continues. “Most of my past recordings have used many instruments and very detailed arrangements, so we thought a solo piece would be refreshing. When I perform with my band, we always have a moment in the set where they walk off and I play solo; it creates an intimate moment, and we wanted to capture that kind of feeling in this project.

“‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’ is one of my favourite holiday songs, but it holds even more significance this year because the pandemic will prevent many people from gathering for the holidays,” she considers. “The final line, ‘I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams’ is especially emotional given this year’s health concerns and stay-at-home regulations.”

The song was recorded at Noble Street’s Studio A, which gave Whorms the opportunity to play a Fazioli. “I was stunned by how beautiful their piano sounded! It was a dream-come-true to record on that instrument.

“It was also my first recording session since COVID-19 hit Ontario,” she continues. “Wearing a mask while playing made me very aware of my breathing, which was an interesting feeling; at one point, I noticed myself breathing in time with the musical phrases as I was playing piano.”

The artwork was created by Whorms’ longtime friend, Madeline Czukar. “She also designed the artwork for my EP, Our Lives, in 2017. For this, she drew me playing the piano in Studio A with some imagined Christmas decorations.”

Alex Whorms’ sophomore EP, Burgundy, — and its premiere single “Sunset” — was featured on CBC Radio One’s ‘In The Key of C.’ Previously, her debut Our Lives landed space on CFMU 93.3’s Top 20, I Heart Hamilton’s Top 5, and WRUW 93.1.

Whorms has received the 2019 Hamilton Arts Award for Emerging Artist in Music, and performed at Canadian Music Week, Hamilton’s Festival of Friends, and completed Canada’s Music Incubator’s Artist Entrepreneur Program.

Toronto Indie Wonder DELYN GREY Taps Into Bloodied Heart Of Heavy Blues On Latest Single

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To some people the sound of thunder may seem to be a portent, yet to young Toronto artist Delyn Grey it signals empowerment. Her rise has been a striking contrast to the dreary air of 2020, and though Delyn’s forthcoming EP is titled Disappointment Girl — and singles “Battle” and “Ghost Town” addressed the dark issues of depression and quarantine — Grey’s songs strike a chord with too many a listener to dub her a disappointment.

The Canadian’s new cut “Listen To The Thunder” will surely multiply the number of her fans because it’s a testament to Grey’s maturity as a musician — a writer and a performer.

Surprisingly, this track was born not in today’s gloomy atmosphere but a few years ago, when Delyn hit emotional rock bottom and began to fight back. This is why “Listen To The Thunder” feels so disturbing and its video alternates between black-and-white — whose mix is, of course, grey — and sanguine red, which should hint at hope.

And while anger and frustration seep out of this riff-laden, heavy blues — a totally unexpected sonic turn for the Torontonian — the circumstances of its genesis were auspicious to the youngster’s emotional healing and her artistic success.

“Some magical things happened in the studio when I was 17, and ’Listen To The Thunder’ was one of them,” says Delyn. “I cracked into a bunch of insecurities, fears and pressures that were keeping me from writing what I needed to, and when I did, it was one of the first songs to come out.”

It sounds easy, like happenstance, yet Grey has a method to her approach. “That same day I had been writing another song, which is soon to come, and I wrote ’Listen To The Thunder’ while I was eating lunch,” she explains. “The first voice memo I have of it is 20 minutes long, and it was a really cool 20 minutes: it’s me slamming my kitchen counter and making weird sounds, until the song took shape.”

But it was a long way from being released.

In the meantime, Delyn molded a sound of her own, letting her skills as the trained piano player, self-taught guitarist and vocalist blend with her varied musical influences and produce a quite eclectic but unmistakably personal style. That’s what caught the ear of another Canadian, Bif Naked, who signed Grey to her artist and talent management division, Her Royal Majesty’s.

And this is the time the Toronto denizen came of age and finally presented her old piece to the public.

But Delyn is still puzzled by “Listen To The Thunder”: “I’m still trying to figure out why I wrote this song. One thing’s for sure, performing it makes me feel badass, and maybe I needed to write it for an ego boost! I don’t want to speak too much about that because I hope for people to make their own connections, but it’s a song I’ve been looking for.”

And it’s the song that a lot of listeners will be looking forward to hearing again and again — it can become as timeless as classic blues can be.

Poker Hand Rankings – Deciding The Winner

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You can become a complete Texas Holdem poker player as long as you continue to investigate and learn Texas Holdem Poker as well as a trick. When learning information like this you instantly increase your ability to play Holdem nicer. After a while, you start to get ok at Holdem that specialists. make profits. If you aren’t at this level yet that is fine, just keep learning and practicing and you’ll have them there shortly.

TV. Is actually because a given, if you’re watching TV no only can you miss hands being dealt with you, but all of the time the distracted from poker game you are not picking through to vital particulars about other players, such as; are they tight, aggressive, loose, passive, etc. They factor likewise let increase the amount of money you make in online poker, so missing them is not acceptable.

The next step on how to calculate Hold’em odds would calculate your chances of improving your lot. A couple of pairs of pairs is not so bad, but the hand is not exactly great either. A flush is better, and a royal flush is the. So, you need to take into consideration the associated with outs that you just already have versus the unseen cards still on deck. Say, that spending budget 4 outs plus your 2 hole cards. That’s 6 cards to your clientele and 46 unseen cards (standard deck contains 52 cards, remember?) Of the remaining 46 cards, only 9 will no doubt give that you just royal flat. You can improve your chances if your hole cards and outs already possess a few cards that show a flush potential.

Moreover, also, you need to be an enthusiastic soul who may play even when the cards and luck aren’t in your favor. Also, you need to end up being a very disciplined and winning poker player while choosing online poker play as your option for your living.

For those that are new to Short Hand Texas Holdem Poker, it may look like a good intimidating game that is frenzied and hard to check out. However, once you get the hang of it, there is no doubt of winning more frequently and also encasing more amounts of cash than you’d be able to in a conventional poker texas Holdem or dominoqq gaming.

What puts the design so special is that 10 different colors are weaved in the look of this set. As well as the production associated with particular chips deals with usage in the composite resin that adds a weighted feel to the chips. Is probably one particular touch because of this most evocative of professional casino quality design. The 100 11-5g Texas Holdem Poker Set is not something that ended up being cranked out in an assembly line fashion industry. A great deal of work went into creating these chips and such work is most definitely appreciated.

In Texas Holdem Poker, the raise move is a menace to the opponents and it’s the beginning of bluffing or perhaps, hitting. In raising, opponents may fold or call, however, as you may imagine of this poker game, the opening bet is recognized as raise. Many Dallas tactics to extend the probability of winning when raising – good ploys.

If you want to get to the level of skill required to take action you will want to take it upon you to ultimately read and learn a lot about online poker. If you want to become an effective poker player I urge you to continually take up opportunities to more Playfish poker rivals tips. Because every time you turn down the possibility to learn more you finish up a worse poker individual.

 

PUBG Mobile Update: Top 5 Features of Winter Season 2020

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Winter Season is on the way to its release, and players are expecting lots of freebies and many new items. Apart from the Winter Season, Probably you’re familiar of all PUBG Mobile Seasons and Special Events. Without a doubt, PUBG Mobile lives within the heart of hardcore gamers who love playing Battle Royale games. Following the footsteps of the original release, PUBG Mobile brings up to 100 players on a tropical island via an airplane. Players are supposed to select the place for their landing where they can efficiently scavenge weapons, items, and gears before anyone to kill others. Upon landing, the player must find items and weapons, instead of start confronting other players.

Note: If you want to enjoy the game with premium weapons, cosmetics, skins and characters, then you should Buy PUBG Mobile Account.

Christmas in on the way

Moreover, PUBG Mobile is considering the 2nd most downloaded Battle Royale game on Google Play. It has all three game modes such as Solo, Duo, and Squad. Whether you love to play alone or with other three teammates, the game has covered all features beautifully for you. Everyone knows Christmas is coming; therefore, the majority of the massive organization has started to plan something special. Therefore, Tencent Games is planning to introduce Winter Season to celebrate Christmas. We have compiled a list of Top 5 Features expected to release with Winter Season for a limited time, for those players who want to know what they will experience after the release.

  1. New Drop Skins and Christmas Trees

The developer has introduced a new shining skin for the airdrop according to the upcoming event, Christmas. The airdrop will come with beautiful lights around it and will be seen from the far. You would be happy to know that the range of sparkle gun has been increased, and it will emit more light than your expectation. Upon exploring the land, you will discover different Christmas trees all over the land.

  1. Snowboarding

The 2nd best feature the developer has added to the Winter Season is snowboarding. Now, you can move on the snow easier than ever by merely riding on the snowboard. If you started to play PUBG Mobile from last year, then indeed you had experienced the same thing in last year Winter Season. Snowboard won’t work in the areas and will disappear automatically. During the game, players can earn chicken medals by merely riding on the snowboard and earn rewards accordingly.

  1. Unusual and Unique Throw-able Items

PUBG Mobile has introduced two new items in Winter Season like miniature Snowman and Frozen Eggs. Players can use these unique items to battle against each other and can build a concrete statue to defend themselves from enemy attacks.

  1. Erangel-Frost Festival Mode

PUBG Mobile will unlock a new mode under the Erangel Map for a limited time. The newly introduced mode will bring snowy weather and a massive castle with some decorations in it. You may discover the floating snow across the lam, and the sparkling castle may spawn on any of the three different locations.

  1. Christmas Theme Lobby

Eventually, the game has decorated the lobby using the Christmas-themed decorations. After the release of Winter Season, the lobby will be filled with Christmas items and decorations to share the delightful movements of the Christmas event.

“Love At Christmastime” Single by Heather Christine and Featuring Donovan Locke Is Out Now

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“Love at Christmastime,” a new jazz composition by Mississauga’s award-winning vocalist Heather Christine, flawlessly mixes the joy of the holiday season with the romance and sexiness of jazz. Heather Christine is accompanied by some of Canada’s top jazz musicians: Mark Kelso on percussion, Pat Collins on bass, Anthony Panacci on piano, Brian O’Kane on trumpet, and Donovan Locke on guest vocals.

“Love at Christmastime” is written by Heather Christine and Eddy Ruyter, produced by Anthony Panacci, mastered by Reuben Ghose, and vocal arrangement by Justin Bacchus.

Heather Christine is no stranger to Canada’s music scene. Both a soulful and captivating entertainer and songwriter, she has won a number of awards and has performed for audiences of over 25,000. Heather Christine connects with audiences with her vivacious stage presence, expressive voice and engaging personality. Heather Christine’s 2019 debut release, “Love in Colour” garnered international recognition for its soulful blend of R&B, Jazz, and Pop. Within the first month of its release, “Love in Colour” topped the charts as #1 on the Spanish Radio show Smooth Jazz Sitges (Radio 99.2FM Barcelona).

Empty Streets & Collective Concern Inspired Winnipeg Rockers D2UR’s New Single, “Slippin’ Away”

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Inspired by Winnipeg’s empty streets and the nation’s collective concern for COVID-19, Canadian modern rock outfit D2UR channelled their straight-to-the-point songwriting into this, their newest single ‘Slippin’ Away.”

Co-fronts Diane Isbister and Mike Isbister — plus Dave Sikorski-Thorn, John Colburn, and Stephen Broadhurst — continue to bring their signature rhythms to the forefront in the riff-filled rock piece and serve “Slippin’ Away” as the latest in their library of recently released tracks.

“Upon returning from a well-deserved break in Palm Springs in March, COVID-19 hit Canada hard and restrictions were put in place,” Diane recalls. “Self-isolation for two busy people was going to be a challenge if we didn’t find ways to entertain ourselves!”

“Like others, the city of Winnipeg was a ghost town with very little traffic and lots of fear,” Mike adds. “It did not take long for us to pull out our guitars and begin to run through ideas for new songs.”

The basis for “Slippin’ Away” in particular was born from a cool little lick Diane started strumming; from there, some embellishment in the studio — plus input from bandmates sharing their parts via Google Drive, and input from producer Murray Pulver — brings us to today’s release and what we hear now.

“A surprising addition came about with Murray suggesting a gang backing vocals approach,” the pair share. “It really enhanced the song and truly catches the essence of the tragedy the world has gone through during the pandemic.”

“Slippin’ Away” is the latest single to come from the Winnipeg-based rockers; earlier this year also saw the release of “Little Sunshine.”

Following their 2013 debut release Rev U Up, D2UR took a Top 25 spot in the 2014 CBC Searchlight competition, and a Top 10 finish in 2015; their single “Losing Control” earned 15th place in the CJIM Montreal Independent Rock Countdown in 2016. The band launched their sophomore offering, Tic Toc, in 2017.

2019 also included the release of singles “Wild Ride” and “Where’s the Rocket.”

ECMA Winner CHRISTINA MARTIN Releases New Holiday Single, “Kisses For Christmas” and Announces Holiday Show

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Ahead of her virtual holiday party this December 13th, ECMA Award winning singer-songwriter Christina Martin has released her newest holiday single, “Kisses for Christmas.”

Following her 2018 hit holiday tune, “This Christmas” — which has 750,000 streams on Spotify alone, and includes features from Dale Murray and Jordi Comstock, as well as a video by Seela Misra — “Kisses for Christmas” speaks to the simple joys of the season: spending time with the people we love.

“Who remembers all the presents they got growing up?” Martin asks. “Maybe it was that Playmobil mansion, or a first electric guitar, or a prized stuffed animal or G.I. Joe…

“But then there was probably a lot of other ‘stuff’ that just went to waste.

“It is the most thoughtful and heartfelt gestures that stay with us,” she continues. “It’s the company and laughs, the festive traditions of trees bursting with lights and tinsel, the scents of cinnamon and pine candles, the music and fireside hangs that make us feel warm and fuzzy inside.”

Martin’s focus on simplicity is apt as the world adapts to finding new ways to celebrate holidays this year. “We’re all trying to hold onto the traditions that are the most meaningful and comforting for us,” she says. “Let’s keep it simple this year and focus on what matters.”

In such, Christina Martin and Dale Murray are bringing cheer to audiences this season from the comfort of their home in Nova Scotia with The Martin & Murray Virtual Holiday Party this December 13th.

“We’re preparing some of our favourite holiday covers for this 60+ minute online event,” she shares. “Cozy up with your favourite holiday snacks and socks, and bring your friends and family together virtually — or in-person within your bubble — to watch.

“We’re looking forward to connecting with all of you and exchanging holiday traditions!”

Tickets for The Martin & Murray Virtual Holiday Party are $10, or included in some Patreon tiers.

4 Ways How Right Music Makes Writing Easier For Students

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Music is the pill for every disease and the power that helps get through tough times, restore energy, and boost creativity. After an exhaustive day in a college, it seems like nothing can help you reach an emotional balance. You just need to go back to your room, close the door, turn on your favorite song, close your eyes, and feel how the sound gives you chills.

Did you know that music eases the writing process too? Famous writers, including Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, used to listen to music while working on some of their novels. Metallica, the Beatles, jazz and blues bands are the background for wonderful books that these talented authors gave us.

As a student, you can buy papers from a college essay writing service, but you can also choose another way and try to cope with an assignment on your own. Keep reading our article to find out how music can help you write excellent academic papers and what to listen to while studying.

Why Should You Listen to Music While Writing?

Music can influence your emotions, change your worldview, and help you understand life at a deeper level. Besides, it eases the studying process because your favorite playlist can help you create something like a personal bulb and focus on a subject. So, here are a few reasons why you should press “Play” whenever you have to write an essay:

1.   Music helps you shape your writing style

Haruki Murakami started as a jazz bar owner, and he didn’t even think of writing a novel until he turned 29. But suddenly, the idea of writing a book crossed his mind, and he couldn’t let it go. He didn’t have a teacher who could explain to him even basic rules or secrets on writing, but he had a passion for music since he was a child. Murakami wondered whether it’s possible to transfer the melody into the world of words. It was the beginning of his writing career, and music was and still is its integral part. Music ultimately helped Haruki Murakami shape his style.

So, how can music help you form your writing style? According to Murakami, music and text have much in common, including rhythm, composition, harmony, improvisation, and culmination. If you choose the right playlist, you’ll notice how your text flow changes soon. Murakami adores jazz, so you can experiment and choose this music for writing. Chances are, jazz will help you structure your papers better, improve the arrangement of words, and form your writing style.

2.   Music inspires you

When writing an essay, you have to focus on a subject and dive into the world of the topic. However, it’s sometimes hard to complete this mission because students don’t have much time to dedicate to one task. They have to cope with a few assignments at a time, while professors expect to get flawless papers.

If you are stuck and you can’t even start writing an essay, you’ll benefit from listening to your favorite music. The right playlist will inspire you and even help you find new ideas. If you like to listen to music with lyrics, you should pay attention to the words. You can rewrite some catchy phrases to make them relevant to your topic.

3.   Music helps you focus

The inability to focus can be caused by different factors, including noisy roommates, academic pressure, a large number of other tasks, and sleepless nights. The right playlist can help you relax, reduce anxiety, and create a favorable atmosphere for writing. Many students prefer to listen to music without lyrics, but it’s Ok if you choose the background with words. It’s important to comfort yourself. Besides, it’s better to pick songs you already know because new tracks will draw your attention away from writing, and you’ll focus on music more than on your topic. You should also experiment with the volume of sound to find out which level works best for you.

4.   Music can improve memory

So, how does music affect learning? Researches found out that music brings an effect similar to meditation. In other words, it helps relax the brain and focus on a subject without paying attention to negative triggers. Music improves the human ability to process and memorize information. That’s why you should create a playlist that will successfully get you through this academic year.

Bottom Line

Music is the most wonderful thing humanity has ever invented. It not only brings us aesthetic delight but also helps us improve writing, awaken the inner Muse, focus on a subject, and enhance memory. So, if you have to write an essay, don’t forget to choose the best music for creativity.

Amanda Dudley is passionate about teaching and writing. She got a Pg.D. in History at Stanford University in 2001. Amanda always strived to teach and help students, and that’s why she decided to become a lecturer at the university. She also works as an essay writer at EssayUSA to share her experience in the field and spread her knowledge.