LATEST NEWS

COME VOLUNTEER WITH WJB

From July 13-16, 2011 the Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival will celebrate its 10th birthday by bringing four days of great jazz, blues and world music to fans in Newfoundland & Labrador.

If you are looking to help foster jazz, blues and world music in the province, enjoy socializing with other music lovers and would like to meet artists while taking in an unforgettable four days of great music…this is the place for you.

There are many volunteer positions available. To join WJB’s growing team of music lovers, please complete an application form and return it to the contact information located at the bottom of the page, or join us at our Volunteer Rally on Thursday June 23rd, 5:30 – 7:30pm at Swilers.


 


WRECKHOUSE JAZZ & BLUES TO ANNOUNCE LINEUP FOR 2011 WIJBF

St. John’s, NL – May 31st, 2011 – As the summer is fast approaching, Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues (WJB) is preparing to announce the artist lineup for the 10th annual Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival (WIJBF). Executive Director Liz Dunbar will be releasing the highly anticipated lineup on Wednesday, June 8th at 10:30am at the Rocket Bakery on Water Street. She is extremely excited to reveal to the public all of the details regarding this year’s festival taking place from July 13th – 16th as once again downtown St. John’s will be flooded with the rhythms and sounds of different styles of music from all across the globe.

In what is sure to be the most exciting year yet for the festival, Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues gives the people of St. John’s a unique opportunity to experience music and culture from all around the world during 4 jam packed days of concerts, workshops, and events. Since the festival began in 2001 it has grown exponentially in size and numbers, having an increase in audience of almost 400% in previous years. In this milestone year, the WIJBF promises to be the biggest event on the St. John’s Arts and Entertainment scene in 2011!

This year’s festival is sure to have a wider variety of international music than ever before, adding to the musical diversity in St. John’s. Featuring over 100 internationally acclaimed artists and the best talent Newfoundland has to offer, the 10th annual Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival is sure to be one to remember.

Come join WJB on June 8th at 10:30am at the Rocket Bakery for some fantastic live entertainment as the exciting lineup for the 2011 Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival is announced, running from July 13th – 16th in downtown St. John’s.

To keep up to date with the latest festival details, check out WJB on facebook, twitter, myspace, and wordpress.

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For more information please contact:
Ben Waring at 709-739-7734
ben@wreckhousejazzandblues.com

 


THE WJB MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues is pleased to announce the launch of our new membership campaign. Join the family, reap the benefits and support the development of jazz, blues and world music programming in our community. Click here for more information.


WJB SPRING RECYCLING DRIVE

Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues has partnered with Evergreen Recycling to launch its spring recycling drive. You will not only be helping the environment but also the work of WJB.Drop off your recyclables to any Evergreen Recycling location and ask the clerk to donate the proceeds to the Wreckhouse account. Alternatively you can drop your recyclables off to us at our offices at 90 O’Leary Avenue, Suite 203.

All money raised will go towards future projects in education, performances and the operation of Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues.

We would like to thank you all for your support of Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues.


JAZZ IT UP AT THE LIBRARY:Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues Once Again Donates Over 150 CDs to the A.C. Hunter Library

Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues invites the public to the A.C Hunter Library (Located in the Arts and Culture Center, St. John’s)  on Wednesday May 25th , 2011 7:00pm – 8:30pm for a celebration of music. WJB is donating the A.C. Hunter Library of over 150 Jazz, Blues and World Music CDs in an effort to extend the collection of the library’s already immense music selection while expanding the variety of music accessible to the community of St. John’s.

Each year, Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues receives CDs from local, national and international artists who are seeking opportunities to perform in the Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival in St. John’s. This collection of music has grown considerably since the festival’s inception. While some artists are able to participate in the festival, others are not, and local audiences do not have the opportunity to hear a lot of this great music. This year’s donation features albums from multiple JUNO and Grammy award-winning artists, performers from the 2010 WIJBF as well as a selection from the roster of the 2011 WIJBF taking place July 13 – 16, 2011.

This donation is the fourth instalment of an on-going relationship with the A.C. Hunter Library, which over the  previous three years has donated upwards of 500 CDs . Going forward, every CD received by Wreckhouse Jazz and Blues will be donated to the library. All CD’s are available for visitors to borrow for free.

The event will include a donation ceremony by Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues as well as musical entertainment presented by WJB. The library will be providing lots delicious refreshments for all those who attend.

This community partnership provides the residents of St. John’s and surrounding areas an opportunity to listen to music from artists that they would not normally have the opportunity to enjoy while providing an access to artists that have performed at previous festivals, as well as artists that may play here in the future, all at no cost.



ARCHIVED NEWS

October 1, 2009: Calling All Vampires
June 16, 2009: Festival Workshops (Updated June 24, 2009)
May 27, 2009: Symphonies in a Lightbulb
April 17, 2009: WJB Membership Program


Vampire’s Ball – Calling All Vampires

Chris Kirby & the Marquee and Wreckhouse Jazz & Blues Present: VAMPIRE’S BALL

Join WJB and Chris Kirby & the Marquee to celebrate the spooky season with a VAMPIRE’S BALL on Thursday, October 29, 2009 at the Bella Vista. The celebration begins at twilight (8pm), doors open at 7pm. Sink your fangs into some funky R&B and soul serenades from Chris Kirby & the Marquee, with special guests the Horns of Justice! All vamps ages 19 to 1900 are welcome, and encouraged to don their most elaborate ceremonial garments.

Chris Kirby is a witty, spitey, pasty white kid from the woods whose style is simply addictive. His brand new recording “Vampire Hotel”, produced by Gordie Johnson (Big Sugar, Taj Mahal) is a funky mix of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues and Motown Soul, fused with a unique style of storytelling. Dubbed “East Coast R&B”, Vampire Hotel has already spawned a number #1 hit on the East Coast Countdown, and led Kirby on a successful tour of Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes in the summer of 2009.

Chris Kirby & the Marquee are St. John’s young ambassadors of funk, soul and blues. Chris Kirby, Craig Follett, and Mark Marshall have performed on many prestigious stages and have won over crowds as far as Memphis TN. CK&M recently performed at Fredericton’s Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival where they shared a bill with MonkeyJunk and Los Lobos, among others.

The Horns of Justice are: Susan Evoy (alto sax) Chris Harnett (tenor sax / flute), and John Duff (trombone). The section can usually be found bouncing and belting as part of the wildly popular reggae group, the Idlers. They also appear in a big way on Vampire Hotel, adding some extra spice to Kirby’s east coast jambalaya.

Tickets for the VAMPIRE’S BALL are $17 (HST included) and are available at Fred’s Records or online here or chriskirbyonline.com. All tickets purchased online include a $1.25 service charge and come with a chance to win a PRIVATE house concert performance by Chris Kirby as well as free passes to the 2010 Wreckhouse International Jazz and Blues Festival.


FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS

In addition to the world class programming at this years Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival, WJB is will be announcing a series of workshops to be announced soon.


SYMPHONIES IN A LIGHTBULB

Jayme Stone–winner of the 2009 Juno Award for Best Music Album of the Year–sits down with Cathy Colman of All About Jazz to discuss both his approach to the banjo and latest recordings. Click here to check it out. You can catch Jayme this summer with Mansa Sissoko at the Wreckhouse International Jazz & Blues Festival.