2008 NEWS:

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TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT: Chicago Goes West; Karl Schwonik Trio - November 17, 2008

This is a message to announce my upcoming tour ‘Chicago Goes West: Karl Schwonik Trio featuring James Davis’. We will be in Western Canada from January 3-17, including a live recording for CBC Radio 2 that will be broadcast nationally on Canada Live! The official press release follows all the performances listed below.



Also, keep an eye out for the December issue of INTERNATIONAL MUSICIAN magazine, as they will be running a feature on me for that issue.

-Jan 3: SideShows (plus Colin Story: Guit.): White Rock, BC
-Jan 4: Cellar Jazz Club (plus Colin Story: Guit.): Vancouver, BC www.cellarjazz.com
-Jan 6: WCHS Clinic: Wetaskiwin, AB
-Jan 6: CCHS Clinic: Camrose, AB
-Jan 6: Augustana Campus - University of Alberta: Camrose, AB
-Jan 7: WCHS Clinic: Wetaskiwin, AB
-Jan 7: Gwynne School Clinic: Gwynne, AB
-Jan 8: WCHS Clinic: Wetaskiwin, AB
-Jan 9: WCHS Clinic: Wetaskiwin, AB
-Jan 9: Rosebrier School Clinic: Rosebrier, AB
-Jan 10: Beat Niq Jazz Club (Live recording for CBC!): Calgary, AB www.beatniq.com
-Jan 11 WCHS: Wetaskiwin, AB
-Jan 11: Palace Theatre (and Charlie Austin: Piano): Daysland, AB
-Jan 12: Haven Social Club: Edmonton, AB
-Jan 14: The Matchbox: Red Deer, AB www.thematchbox.com
-Jan 15: Mad Hatter Coffee Roastery: Medicine Hat, AB
-Jan 15: Ottoman Lounge: Medicine Hat, AB
-Jan 16: Merchant's Coffee House: Camrose, AB
-Jan 17: Bassment Jazz Club: Saskatoon, SK www.saskatoonjazzsociety.com



Chicago Goes West - November 16, 2008

‘Chicago Goes West: Karl Schwonik Trio featuring James Davis’

Karl Schwonik – Drums
James Davis – Trumpet
Derek Difilippo - Bass

‘Chicago Goes West’ is drummer Karl Schwonik’s 4th Canadian tour as a leader at the young age of 23. Each tour has featured a special guest from south of the border; this year James Davis from Chicago will join Schwonik. Davis is one of Chicago’s most exciting, in-demand young trumpet players and brings years of touring, performing and teaching experience to this vibrant group.

As an improviser and composer, James Davis is involved in a diverse group of musical communities in the Chicago area. Davis has toured and performed with the The Glenn Miller Orchestra, the U. North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, Chuchito Valdes, Alan Gresik’s Swing Shift Orchestra, the Tomorrow Music Orchestra, Zing!, the Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra and the Texas Wind Symphony amongst many other groups. He is currently on faculty at Triton College in Chicago, IL, as director of Jazz Ensembles. James has been a finalist in both the International Trumpet Guild Jazz Improvisation Competition and the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition.

Gwynne, AB native Karl Schwonik has been described as, “versatile”, “accomplished”, “impressive” and "one of Canada's youngest, hardest working and most creative musicians". Schwonik has been the recipient of many awards and honours such as: receiving 3 AFA Grants, an ACD Grant, the Queen’s Jubilee Award, the Richard Cowie Scholarship, a RBC YES Scholarship, a Louise McKinney award, 3 Anne Burrows Music Foundation Grants and a Student Downbeat Award; performing at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Centre, and at many jazz festivals throughout North America. Schwonik has performed with: Dave Douglas, Chucho Valdes, Dave Liebman, Sonny Fortune, David Braid, Jens Lindeman, P.J. Perry, Tommy Banks, Hugh Fraser and many others.

Schwonik will be releasing his first recording, ‘Visions from the Farm’, in late 2009. He has also become president of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Society and is artistic director of the Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp, which will have its first session in July 2009.

‘Chicago Goes West’ has been made possible by support from: Parkland Fertilizers, Dr. David Hewko and Brenda Hewko of Wetaskiwin, Wetaskiwin Elks Lodge No. 91, Denham Inn & Suites, Montgomery Glen Golf and Country Club, Pioneer Chrysler Jeep Wetaskiwin, and Adam’s Pontiac GMC.

Please also visit: www.jcdavis.org

This Sunday Nov. 16 f. Nick Roseboro From NYC - November 11, 2008

Hi Everyone,
Just a quick note to let you know that I will be performing at the Upstairs Jazz Club in Montreal this Sunday Nov. 16 starting at 8:30pm. Cover is $10. Also, keep an eye out for an article in the Montreal Gazette about me this week.

Karl Schwonik Quintet f. Nick Roseboro
Nick Roseboro - Trumpet (NYC) www.nickroseboro.com
Joel Miller - Sax www.joelmillermusic.com
Jeff Johnston - Piano www.myspace.com/jeffjohnstonmusic
Adam Over - Bass
Karl Schwonik - Drums www.karlschwonik.com


Carnivale Jazz Fest and upcoming events - September 5, 2008

It really was a pleasure to wrap up August with three great performances! The first with Brent Mah at the Beatniq Jazz Club, and the last two with Colin Story (Vancouver) at the Carnivale Jazz Festival. Amazing musicians, great bands.
Be watching in the coming months for the finalized schedule of 'Chicago Goes West'. The 2009 installment of the Karl Schwonik Tour, this year featuring Chicago's trumpet phenom James Davis. I'm also working on some exciting projects for next summer, should be a good one.
Until next time,
Karl Schwonik


Sylvan Lake Jazz Festival this Sunday - August 15, 2008

Hello once again,
Almost finished another eventful summer season. There are still a few exciting days coming up for me including thus SUNDAY AUG 17 at the SYLVAN LAKE JAZZ FESTIVAL.
This is a wonderful weekend put on by Eric Allison and his wife in Sylvan Lake Alberta.
My trio is playing from 2-5pm at 'Pete's at the Beach' which is located at 4711 Lakeshore DR

Brent Mah - Sax
Kodi Hutchinson - Bass
Karl Schwonik - Drums


PERFORMING ARTS AWARD - August 3, 2008

I have received great news recently: I have been awarded this year's 'Queen's Golden Jubilee Performing Arts Award'!!
This award is $5,000 and is made possible through the Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Government of Alberta. Each year two awards are given to young Albertan artists, one in the visual arts and one in the performing arts. I am one of 3 musicians to ever receive it and the first jazz musician!


Jazz on the Ave today for FREE - June 26, 2008

My trio will be playing downtown Calgary today on the 'Sirius Radio C-Jazz Stage' for FREE from 12-1.
Jazz helps digestion...so I've heard...


"...a musician to watch...don't miss this gig..." - June 21, 2008

Check out last Thursday's issue of FFWD: Calgary's Entertainment Magazine for the preview of the Jazz Festival happening next week.

I was fortunate enough to be one of a small handful of bands featured in the preview.

www.ffwdweekly.com/article/music/music-previews/jazz-masters-swingin-swedes/


Calgary Jazz Festival June 25 - June 17, 2008

I'm very happy to be a part of the Calgary Jazz Festival again this year! My group consisting of Albertans Chris Andrew on piano and Kodi Hutchinson on Bass will be joined by Montreal great JOEL MILLER on sax.

Joel is one of the most exciting musicians in Montreal and in Canada, so this is a very special event for me and the group.
The show is at the Auburn Saloon (163-115 9 Avenue SE) and is from 9-11 with the doors opening at 8pm. Tickets are $12 in advance (www.calgaryjazz.com) and $15 at the door.

Come down and see some great live music and check out the rest of the festival while you are at it!

That's all for now, all the best,

Karl


Radio Interview This Tuesday! - June 1, 2008

If you're anywhere close to Calgary on this Tuesday June 2 at 8am, turn the radio to 90.9 CJSW to hear a live interview with Phillip Barker and myself!


Looking for Sponsors - May 29, 2008

I am looking for sponsors for my upcoming tour through Alberta, BC and Sask in Jan. 2009 with trumpeter James Davis (www.jcdavis.org).

I have successfully done this in the past and am excited to start again with a new band. So far I am almost halfway toward what we need financially.

If you are interested, please contact me at: kschwonik@hotmail.com or (514) 518-1018 for more information or to receive a package.

Thanks, all the best
Karl


News - May 26 - April 26, 2008

Welcome to my new site! I've been thinking for a long time to do something like this and I thought it was a good project for the summer months.


'East Meets West'

This Thursday and Friday I will be performing at the Beatniq Jazz Club in Calgary with 2-time Juno nominee Jeff Johnston from Montreal. This is one of the most exciting events of the summer for me...Jeff is one of my favorite musicians in Montreal! Kodi Hutchinson will be on bass, my right-hand man in Calgary:)

Richard Cowie Scholarship for Young Jazz Musicians

I will be presented this award at the East Meets West shows. The award is $1,000 and a contract for the Calgary Jazz Festival. It is presented through the Calgary Musicians Association and the Calgary Musicians Union
Calgary Herald and FFWD

I will post links to the stories written about me in the past week in these two publications. Also, this coming Thursday there will be a feature on me in FFWD (Calgary's Entertainment Magazine).

That's all for now, more updates coming soon!