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Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest Announces 2025 Lineup: Grammy Winner Nicole Zuraitis, JUNO Award nominees Alex Bird, Jill Barber, Jay Douglas, Tanika Charles

Eric Alper
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Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest Announces 2025 Lineup: Grammy Winner Nicole Zuraitis, JUNO Award nominees Alex Bird, Jill Barber, Jay Douglas, Tanika Charles

Destination Markham proudly announces the return of the wildly popular Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest for its third year. Building on the success of the sold-out 2023 and 2024 editions, this year’s series promises even more memorable evenings celebrating the vibrant culinary and musical culture of the City of Markham. With six events planned from late January to March 2025, Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest continues to grow as a must-attend cultural experience in the Greater Toronto Area.

2025 Event Schedule:

  • Series 1: January 21–25 | 2x-time JUNO Award nominee Alex Bird & The Jazz Mavericks at SMASH Kitchen & Bar
  • Series 2: January 28–February 1 | 3x-time JUNO Award nominee Jill Barber at Essence of Unionville, Hilton Toronto/Markham
  • Series 3: February 4–8 | 2x-time JUNO Award nominee Tanika Charles at Laz Authentic Cuisine
  • Series 4: February 26-28 I 2024 Grammy Award winner Nicole Zuraitis at “Draco” at Toronto Marriott Markham
  • Series 5: March 4-8 I | 2x-time JUNO Award nominee Jay Douglas All Star Band at Rouge River Brewing Company
  • Series 6: March 18-22 I MYSTERY GUEST & LOCATION

“Markham’s Jazzlicious WinterFest welcomes locals and visitors alike to experience Markham’s unique dining scene, while listening to world-class musicians,” says the Honourable Ruby Sahota, Minister of Democratic Institutions and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. “Through the Tourism Growth Program, the Government of Canada is investing in unique experiences that showcase all that southern Ontario has to offer, driving tourism and strengthening local economies.”

“We’re thrilled to see Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest continue to grow,” says Andrew Baldwin, Executive Director, Destination Markham Corporation. “This festival represents everything that makes Markham unique – the intersection of culinary excellence and cultural richness. We are proud to create a platform that draws visitors and spotlights Markham as a premier destination for unforgettable experiences.”

Culinary Highlights:

  • Hosted at SMASH Kitchen & Bar, guests will enjoy an exceptional menu crafted by Executive Chef Isaac Co, perfectly complementing the evening’s performances.
  • Essence of Unionville, located in the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites, will feature a menu by Executive Chef Jitin Gaba, enhancing the soulful sounds of the evening.
  • At Laz Authentic Cuisine, guests will be treated to a spectacular meal prepared by Executive Chef and Owner Diakhia Lezama, paired with outstanding jazz performances.
  • At Draco, located in the Toronto Marriott Markham, guests will indulge in a thoughtfully curated menu by Executive Chef Bill Jewer, elevating the dining experience with his creative culinary expertise.
  • Rouge River Brewing Company will offer an innovative beer and food pairing experience, featuring artisanal pizzas crafted by Brewery Owner and Head Brewer Jordan Mills, and Pizza Chef Jezza.

Whether you’re a jazz enthusiast or simply love good food and great company, Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest is your perfect escape from the ordinary. Venture just north of Toronto’s downtown core to discover why Markham is rapidly becoming one of the GTA’s premier culinary and cultural destinations.

Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest is produced by Destination Markham Corporation in collaboration with the Markham Jazz Festival, and in partnership with Cosmo Music, Flato Markham Theatre, JAZZ.FM91 radio and, with funding provided by the Government of Canada, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), Experience Ontario and Central Counties Tourism.

The perfect holiday gift, the 2025 edition of the Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest will now feature six musical and culinary pairings at signature venues across the city. Guests will be treated to a night of delicious meals prepared by some of Markham’s top chefs and live jazz performances by some of Canada’s brightest stars.

Tickets for the 2025 Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest are on sale on December 13, 2024. For further information and to pre-register for series tickets, visit jazzlicious.ca.

About Destination Markham: Destination Markham Corporation (DMC) is an arm’s length municipal corporation launched in April 2020 as the destination management organization (DMO) for the City of Markham. Its purpose is to promote Markham as a remarkable destination for visitors, including tourists, sport and festival attendees, meeting and conference delegates, and business travellers. The key tourism objectives are to research, develop, market, and grow Markham’s tourism/visitor economy. This initiative will collaborate with Markham’s hotel industry, festival-event conference-travel planners, attraction operators, cultural institutions, sports tourism promoters, entertainment and recreation providers, food service businesses and the City of Markham. Learn more at visitmarkham.ca.

About FedDev Ontario: For 15 years, the Government of Canada, through FedDev Ontario, has worked to advance and diversify the southern Ontario economy through funding opportunities and business services that support innovation, growth and job creation in Canada’s most populous region. The Agency has delivered impressive results, which can be seen in southern Ontario businesses that are creating innovative technologies, improving productivity, growing revenues, creating jobs, and in the economic advancement of communities across the region. Learn more about the impacts the Agency is having in southern Ontario by exploring our investment profiles, our Southern Ontario Spotlight, and FedDev Ontario’s X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Roots Musician John Dawson Finds Universal Love in Wrestling-Inspired Single “Under All the Lights”

Eric Alper
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Roots Musician John Dawson Finds Universal Love in Wrestling-Inspired Single “Under All the Lights”

They say that behind every great man is a woman. That’s the theme of “Under All the Lights,” the new single from Newmarket roots musician John Dawson that finds deep emotional resonance in the age-old poetic trope of the enduring love between … a pro wrestler and his wife?

For real, though. Behind the song’s craftily ambiguous portrait of undying devotion is the specific story of WWE superstar Cody (son of Dusty) Rhodes and his loyal spouse, Brandi. They’re the pair Dawson is thinking of when he sings of a man—seen variously as a “warrior” and a “mage” by the world at large—who knows his true strength comes from his partner.

Under all the lights with only everyone,
He’s looking for one single face.
Without her, he’s just song without the sound.
He’s just words without a page.

The song was inspired by Rhodes’ participation in last year’s WrestleMania XL, and more particularly an interview he gave in the run up to the event.
“I was drawn to a seemingly offhand comment he made where he boasted of how well his wife would be positioned in the coming big show,” Dawson says. “It was this that struck me. The eyes of the world were on him, but his eyes were on her.”

Dawson knows his wrestling, have no doubt: When he isn’t making music or spending quality time with his own family, he cohosts a weekly radio show called Ringside Heat, in which he interviews some of the most notable names in the sport. But you don’t have to share his passion for the pastime to be touched by “Under All the Lights,” which has a universal, tug-at-the-heartstrings appeal held aloft by Dawson’s haunting vocals and guitar. (He’s ably supported by Steve Peconi on rhythm guitar, Manny DeGrandis on bass, Anthony D’Andela on drums and Mike Walsom on organ, piano and keyboards). What’s most important, though, are the sentiments behind the words, which Dawson knows extend far beyond the ring.

“It’s a simple tale of love and its triumph over adversity that, regardless of the specific subject matter, I hope can find meaning for any listener,” he says.
Imparting meaning through melody is something Dawson knows how to do in a myriad of ways. A songwriter, guitarist and composer who’s based in the Greater Toronto area, he has worked in multiple areas of the music industry, ranging from education to performance. Over the years, he has played with JUNO- and Grammy-nominated artists and had the honour of backing up Jackie Lomax at a 2011 Beatles festival. He’s a graduate of the Humber College Music program and holds degrees in Music and Education from York University. His muses as a writer and player include George Harrison, Paul Simon, Bill Frisell, Eric Clapton, and Mark Knopfler.

Those influences and more were in full flower on Dawson’s 2024 debut album, Outlier, a nine-song rumination on the changes each of us will invariably face in life. Standout tracks included the singles “Things That I Meant To Say,” “Life Just Came to Me” and “Where You Belong,” plus the jazzy, rootsy instrumental “Merry and Pippin.” To that sturdy repertoire, we can now add “Under All the Lights,” which starts Dawson’s 2025 on a note of pure class and elegant romance. Whatever else he has in store for us this year, it’s clearly going to be no holds barred.

Gerry Jack Macks Brews Up Genre-Defying Boogie with Double-A Side Singles “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road”

Eric Alper
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Gerry Jack Macks Brews Up Genre-Defying Boogie with Double-A Side Singles “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road”

Kamloops, British Columbia-based genre-defying musician Gerry Jack Macks is offering up a glorious one-two combo with the release of his Double-A side singles “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road,” a tandem brimming with bevies of boogie from start to finish. Both singles also feature Macks collaborating with talented young drummer Sara Varro and two-time Juno Award winner Al Lerman. And both songs started over a cup of coffee!

Macks says “Two Melissas” was inspired after visiting Kamloops’ Red Beard Cafe for his usual coffee break in September 2020 after his regular go-to spot had pandemic-related capacity restrictions. A server, Melissa, waited on him, and they started talking about music. Originally thinking of writing a song inspired by his “landlady,” Melissa said “no one has written a song with my name.” Macks said he would before Melissa added there was another staffer also named Melissa. Hence, “Two Melissas.”

The artist says the melody and chorus almost came instantly to him while he drank his coffee. By the time Melissa checked to see how he was making out with his beverage, he started singing it. Some time later, the musician honed the lyrics for the entire song. “Although originally meant to be about the Red Beard in Kamloops, the style of the song required more of a dance club atmosphere,” he says. “Not wanting to be misleading about the Red Beard, I reluctantly decided to change the location in the song to one with a dance floor and live band.” Macks then decided to use “Foxie’s,” a bar from long ago he remembered situated far away from Kamloops.

“Two Melissas” oozes plenty of boogie while bringing to mind the style of Carl Perkins and Ronnie Hawkins for its feel-good, old-school Sun-era energy. Macks sings, plays rhythm guitar and electric bass while Lerman offers up a great amount of rollicking harmonica. And Varro keeps it all in check with solid drumming throughout. Macks wrote, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered the song which was recorded at Kamloops’ Dusty Cottonwood Studios.

Equally stellar is “Too Many Times Down That Road” which showcases Mack’s unique musical style that defies genre boundaries. The song was born out of a chance encounter over a cup of coffee with his friend Al Lomas. The longtime trucker had just navigated a treacherous backroad filled with potholes and ruts. Inspired by Lomas’ description of the rough journey, Macks penned the song’s lyrics right there in the diner, capturing the essence of a challenging path with a catchy tune.

“Too Many Times Down That Road” is set to be a high-energy, genre-blending track that continues Macks’ tradition of pushing musical boundaries. The single is part of Macks’ ongoing effort to create music that defies categorization and appeals to a wide range of music enthusiasts.

Macks is not your typical artist. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays most of the instruments on his recordings, and his music effortlessly crosses the lines of various genres, including outlaw country, country rock, and southern rock. His work draws inspiration from rhythm and blues, pop, and Canadiana.

“I never really have any idea exactly what genre or genres a recording is when I release it,” Macks confesses. “The distributors force artists to choose from a strict list of genres before the artist can release recordings, and I always struggle with great angst when forced to pigeon-hole my music.”

Macks has a long and storied musical career that began in the early 1970s. With the support of legendary Edmonton musician Tommy Banks’ wife, Ida Banks, Macks quickly rose from a beginner on the music circuits of Alberta, BC, NWT, and the Yukon to a full-time music career.

Over the years, his music has evolved to encompass Jazz, Blues, Easy Listening, Country, Folk, Pop, Rock, and more. Macks’ upcoming projects include the highly anticipated Sleepy Time Sessions album, inspired by the likes of Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, and Nat King Cole, as well as several other roots-based albums.

“I have always had deep appreciation for the people who follow my music, and I take every opportunity to remain in personal contact with them,” says Macks.

Now with this Double-A Side release, Gerry Jack Macks is bringing his bottomless cup of boogie to the masses with “Two Melissas” and “Too Many Times Down That Road.”

Billboard Chart-Toppers Sultans of String and Mississauga Symphony Orchestra Celebrate World Premiere February 8, 2025

Eric Alper
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Billboard Chart-Toppers Sultans of String and Mississauga Symphony Orchestra Celebrate World Premiere February 8, 2025

3x JUNO nominees and Billboard chart-toppers Sultans of String and the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Denis Mastromonaco are kicking off the New Year with a World Premiere of REFUGE.  This powerful production is unlike any other and brings the magic of collaboration to the stage with award-winning artists who are new immigrants, refugees, and global talents who are ambassadors for peace.

This live concert will showcase the incredible music and storytelling of many of their collaborators featured in their Cannes World Film Festival award–winning The Refuge Project. Tickets are available now here.

“We are so excited to be able to present our collaborations that showcase and amplify essential voices” says bandleader/producer and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient Chris McKhool.

“We feel so fortunate to be able to grow as human beings and as artists through these collaborations. We keep exploring and learning our whole lives, and sharing these songs with the MSO is really exciting!”

In addition to winning Best Music Film at Cannes World Film Festival, the film version of Refuge has also won at the Vancouver Independent Film Festival and Boston Independent Film Awards, with the CD of the music winning the Canadian Folk Music Awards for Global Roots Album of the Year, and Producer of the Year.

This ambitious, diverse, inclusive, and passionately political concert puts this global grooves supergroup face-to-face with a VIP roster of global ‘ambassadors,’ many of whom are recent immigrants and refugees to Canada. All bring their unique brand of musical synergy and collaboration to bear on discussion and songs that speak to the challenges facing the world’s displaced peoples—their stories, their songs, their persistence and their humanity. The international cast of special guests and ambassadors for peace feature stellar performances from Leen Hamo and Majd Sukar from Syria, Donné Roberts from Madagascar, Romani Nyckelharpa player Saskia Tomkins, Persian tar player Padideh Ahrarnejad, flamenco artist Tamar Ilana and more.

Bandleader Chris McKhool (Makhoul in Lebanon) has an Egyptian-born mother who happened to play piano, teach classical theory, and feed her young son as much Middle Eastern cuisine as she did music lessons. From there, the powerful violinist developed a taste for multi-genre string sounds and found a like-minded crew of all-world enthusiasts. When McKhool first heard founding guitarist Kevin Laliberté’s rumba rhythm, their musical synergy created Sultans of String’s signature sound – the intimate and playful relationship between violin and guitar. From this rich foundation, the dynamic duo grew, featuring such amazing musical friends as in-the-pocket bass master Drew Birston, and the jaw-dropping beats of percussionist Chendy Leon.

Their live resume is similarly stellar. Equally at home in a concert hall, folk and jazz club or festival setting, the Sultans have gigged at JUNOfest, the legendary club Birdland in New York, Celtic Connections Festival (Glasgow) and London’s Trafalgar Square. They have sold out Koerner Hall three times (Toronto’s Carnegie Hall), and performed with the Annapolis, Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton Symphony Orchestras. They have played live on CBC’s Canada Live, BBC Radio, BBC TV, Irish National Radio, and the syndicated World Café, Woodsongs, and SiriusXM in Washington. Sultans of String’s musicianship and versatility are also showcased in collaborations with such diverse luminaries as Paddy Moloney & The Chieftains, Sweet Honey in The Rock, Richard Bona (Paul Simon), Alex Cuba, Ruben Blades, Yasmin Levy, Benoit Bourque, Béla Fleck, Crystal Shawanda & Ken Whiteley.

How To Use Spotify for Artists To Pitch An Upcoming, Unreleased Song To Their Playlist Editors

Eric Alper
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How To Use Spotify for Artists To Pitch An Upcoming, Unreleased Song To Their Playlist Editors

Musicians, maximize your release’s impact by using Spotify for Artists to pitch unreleased songs to playlist editors and ensure they’re added to your followers’ Release Radar playlists.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Log in to Spotify for Artists.
  2. Find unreleased music to pitch:
    1. At the top of  Home, select PITCH FROM NEXT RELEASE.
    2. On web, you can also pitch from the  Music tab under Upcoming.
  3. Choose a song and fill out the info. The more info they get, the better chance it has.

Tip: Need access to Spotify for Artists? Learn how to get access

Info about pitching music:

  • Deliver your music to them at least 7 days before its release date so their editors have time to listen
  • You can’t pitch compilations or songs you’re a featured artist on
  • You can only pitch one song at a time. Once your pitched song goes live, you can pitch another
  • Anyone with Admin or Editor access can see and edit the pitch
  • You can edit your pitch up to release day, but there’s no guarantee their editors will see the changes
  • Once a song has gone live, it’s no longer eligible for pitching

Pinning a pitched song to your This Is playlist:

  • You can pin the song that you pitched to your This Is playlist if you’re eligible for one
  • Once your new song is available to listeners on Spotify, pinning takes around 3 days
  • You can only submit one pin request at a time. Once your pinned song goes live, you can submit another request
  • Songs are pinned to your This Is playlist for up to 28 days post-release in the order they were requested, with the earliest pinned song appearing first

How to know if your song gets picked

They’ll email you if your song gets picked. You can also check the Playlists tab in Spotify for Artists when your release goes live and explore detailed stats about it. Spotify’s editors might pick a different song for their playlists to the one you pitched.

Pitching doesn’t guarantee playlist placement. If your song doesn’t get picked, it may still get discovered later. Stay on their editors’ radar by building your fanbase and engaging with your audience on Spotify and beyond.

However, submitting a pitch at least 7 days before release day will get your song on your followers’ Release Radar playlists. You can also pin your song to your This Is playlist if you’re eligible for one.

Label-only pitches

Licensors and labels can make a pitch label-only.

Artists and managers can see the song and who pitched it, but can’t edit or view some pitch details (e.g. genre, mood, and culture tags).

You can reach out to your licensor or label if you need help with a label-only pitch.

For all your publicity needs, feel free to email Eric@ThatEricAlper.com or call me at 647-971-3742. With 25+ years of experience and a deep passion for connecting artists to audiences, I’m here to help you make an impact.

Photo Gallery: Sum 41 with PUP and Gob at St. Catharines’ Meridian Centre

Eric Alper
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Photo Gallery: Sum 41 with PUP and Gob at St. Catharines’ Meridian Centre

All photos by Mini’s Memories. You can contact her through Instagram.

Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41
PUP
PUP
PUP
PUP
PUP
Gob
Gob
Gob
Gob
Sum 41

Supergroup The Syncopation Rebels (Martha Johnson, Mark Gane, Chloe Kay, Alex Exists, John Orpheus) Reimagine Goldfrapp’s ‘Number 1’

Eric Alper
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Supergroup The Syncopation Rebels (Martha Johnson, Mark Gane, Chloe Kay, Alex Exists, John Orpheus) Reimagine Goldfrapp’s ‘Number 1’

Choosing a song to put your own signature or stamp on can be daunting. One often has to walk the line between not being a mirror image of the original but not going overboard and completely renovating the arrangement. For the highbrow pop super group known as The Syncopation Rebels, they’ve walked that line perfectly with a stunning cover of Goldfrapp’s “Number 1.” It’s guaranteed to leave you putting the song in rotation if not on a loop.

The group, consisting of Toronto-based Martha and the Muffins’ members Martha Johnson and Mark Gane, British-born and British-based vocalist Chloe Kay (formerly of electronic duo This Sound Will Save You), Toronto-based musician Alex Exists (The Nursery, The Ruby Spirit) and Trinidad-born, Kitchener, Ontario-based hip-hop/Afrobeat artist and author John Orpheus, have outdone themselves here. While Goldfrapp’s version released in 2005 is fueled by its synth groove, The Syncopation Rebels’ “Number 1” ups the ante by upping the tempo.

“My initial reaction after hearing the original version by Goldfrapp was that we should speed up the tempo and vary the underlying chord structure a bit, which helped with the dynamics and arrangement,” Gane says. “The unique tonalities and personalities of the singers really helped to add different colours to the song as well.”

“This track radiates that unmistakable Bolan-esque cool, capturing the carefree energy of summer nights when you and your partner feel on top of the world,” Exists adds. “It’s a bold, unapologetic love anthem about showing someone they’re your number one and you’d do anything to prove it. It’s a song made for those moments when love feels invincible.”

“Number 1” shines thanks to the shimmering, summery feel and cavity-inducing structure. The female/male dual vocals throughout bring to mind bands like Stars, Roxette, and The Human League as Johnson, Gane, Orpheus, Exists and Kay all provide vocals to the jewel with a chorus that’s pure synth pop heaven. As Johnson says, Exists added “his cool crooner voice,” Orpheus “sang his verse with warmth and richness” while she “added a layer of temptation to my delivery” of the suggestive lyrics. “We all circled around the mic for the choruses, putting a cherry on top of this sundae song. When Chloe sang her haunting contribution in her home studio in the UK, it lifted the song into another plane.”

Gane also provides electric guitar, while Exists adds piano and acoustic guitar. Mike Schlosser (who produced, recorded, and mixed “Number 1”) played keyboards, bass, electric guitars, percussion, and added programming while Joel Jeschke played drums. “Number 1,” written by Alison Goldfrapp and William Owen Gregory and from Goldfrapp’s Supernature album, was recorded this past summer at Edmonton’s Little Noise and Toronto’s Revolution Recording. Reuben Ghose mastered the track at Toronto’s Mojito Mastering.

“Number 1” is the second release by The Syncopation Rebels who formed for Popguru Sound & Vision’s silver anniversary. With the members having worked together in various combinations over the years, Schlosser, a JUNO-nominated producer, had previously worked with Orpheus, Exists, and Kay. From there Johnson and Gane, who also worked with the other members over the years, were invited to participate in the group (which originally included Sam Casey, who Kay replaced). The Syncopation Rebels’ cover of Bowie’s “Sound And Vision,” released in October 2023, garnered over half a million YouTube views.

A video for “Number 1” was produced by Moon Real Media and directed by Agata Waclawska and features three riders on Vespas and the group members in different locales. But for now, The Syncopation Rebels will have to resign themselves to the fact they’ve enhanced an already brilliant song whose title will mirror its chart placement.

Timeless Child Care Wisdom from a 1992 Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Special on WGTE Toledo

Eric Alper
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Timeless Child Care Wisdom from a 1992 Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Special on WGTE Toledo

This nostalgic 1992 instructional video hosting Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood from WGTE Toledo Public Broadcasting Channel offers valuable insights for child care providers, showcasing timeless tips and techniques for fostering a nurturing environment.

Lost Blair Witch Project Deleted Scene Resurfaces After Two Decades

Eric Alper
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Lost Blair Witch Project Deleted Scene Resurfaces After Two Decades

In September 1999, Artisan and Amazon collaborated to create a dedicated page for The Blair Witch Project, featuring an exclusive deleted scene on Amazon’s streaming platform. Removed in 2002 and thought lost, this rare piece of cinematic history has finally resurfaced online.

Before the Swinging Sixties: Where Young Londoners Gathered for Coffee and Connection

Eric Alper
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Before the Swinging Sixties: Where Young Londoners Gathered for Coffee and Connection

Before Starbucks and Caffe Nero and all that cafeterias looking all the same, young Londoners of late 50’s and early 60’s met in places like these. Not swingin’ yet.

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That Eric Alper

Eric Alper is a 6-time nominee for Publicist of the Year during Canadian Music Week and has overseen the publicity campaigns for over 183 JUNO Award-nominated albums (and 16 in 2025), 45 Grammy-nominated albums, including 47 JUNO Award, 58 Canadian Folk Music Award, 126 Maple Blues Award-winning albums and is also truly honoured to work with some of the biggest and most important artists of our time.

Contact me: eric@thatericalper.com

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