TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT, Chronograph Records and other news - December 5, 2009
Just a quick update for everyone. If you missed November's issue of Avenue magazine, here is a link to the article/video I was featured in: http://avenuecalgary.com/top-40-under-40/item/karl-schwonik.
I would also like to take this opportunity to let everyone know that I have signed with Chronograph Records in Calgary! I am extremely excited to be associated with this unique and dynamic organization! Look for both my 'Visions from the Farm' Cd and 'Chicago Goes West' CD on Chronograph this January: www.chronographrecords.com.
Lastly, I would like to announce my Canadian CD-release tour 'Visions from the Farm'! The following are the details for January's tour. Hope to see some of you at the performances!
With support from the Canada Council for the Arts and the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Alberta Music Industry and the Music Performance Fund!
Karl Schwonik - Drums
Chris Andrew - Piano
Kodi Hutchinson - Bass
Brent Mah - Sax
-Jan 3: Grace Lutheran Church: Wetaskiwin, AB (presented by the Wetaskiwin Jazz Society)
Miriam de Goeij: Special Guest
-Jan 4: WCHS clinic (Wetaskiwin, AB)
-Jan 4: Gwynne School Clinic/performance (Gwynne, AB)
-Jan 4: Rosebrier School Clinic/performance (Rosebrier, AB)
-Jan 5: WCHS clinic (Wetaskiwin, AB)
-Jan 5: CCHS clinic (Camrose, AB)
-Jan 5: University of Alberta (Augustana Campus, Camrose, AB)
CCHS Jazz Combo opening at 7:30pm
-Jan 6: WCHS clinic (Wetaskiwin, AB)
-Jan 7: Cellar Jazz Club (Vancouver, BC)
-Jan 8: Reynold's Secondary School Clinic (Victoria, BC)
-Jan 8: Hermann's Jazz Club (Victoria, BC)
-Jan 9: Minstrel Cafe (Kelowna, BC)
-Jan 10: Princess Margaret Secondary School (Penticton, BC)
Thursday Night Big Band directed by Dave Brunelle opening at 3pm
-Jan 11: Private Event (Edmonton, AB)
-Jan 12: WCHS clinic (Wetaskiwin, AB)
-Jan 13: Charlie Killam School Clinic (Camrose, AB)
-Jan 13: WCHS clinic (Wetaskiwin, AB)
-Jan 14: Tommy Douglas Performing Arts Centre (Weyburn, SK)
-Jan 15: Le Bistro: Regina, SK (Presented by Regina Jazz Society)
-Jan 16: Brandon University Clinic (Brandon, MB)
-Jan 16: The Music Studio (Brandon, MB)
-Jan 17: Mano's on 8th (Saskatoon, SK)
-Jan 18: Holy Rosary School Clinic (Lloydminster, AB)
-Jan 19: Red Deer College Clinic (Red Deer, AB)
-Jan 19: The Matchbox (Red Deer, AB)
-Jan 20: University of Lethbridge Clinic (Lethbridge, AB)
-Jan 20: The Slice (Lethbridge, AB)
-Jan 22: Glenmore Christian Academy Clinic (Calgary, AB)
-Jan 22: Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club (Calgary, AB
Afolabi Fapojuwo Trio opening at 9pm
-Jan 23: Cultural Centre Black Box Theatre: Medicine Hat (presented by the Medicine Hat Jazz Society)
-Jan 29: Yardbird Suite (Edmonton, AB) (presented by the Edmonton Jazz Society)
-Jan 30: Vernon Jazz Club (Vernon, BC) (presented by the Vernon Jazz Society)
Calgary's Top 40 Under 40 - October 30, 2009
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
I just wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that I have just been selected as one of Avenue magazine's 'Top 40 Under 40' in Calgary for 2009!
I am extremely honoured to be included in this group with such amazing individuals. Also, I am the youngest person to be given the award.
If you are in Calgary, the magazine is available on November 1. Also, here is a video interview I did for the award:
Thanks to everyone for your support and I will be in touch.
Take care!
Karl Schwonik
“Avenue magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 is our annual selection of Calgary’s brightest and most active leaders under the age of 40,” says Käthe Lemon, editor of Avenue. “Top 40s are movers and shakers, industry innovators and community builders in every realm, from business and politics to education, arts, fashion, design, sport and culture. They are committed to high personal career achievements, are dedicated to building
community in the city or in their industry, and are helping to raise the profile of Calgary. This year’s Top 40s are celebrated in the November issue of Avenue magazine and on
avenuecalgary.com.”
September Update - September 18, 2009
Hi Everyone,
Just thought I would write a little update while I have a minute here. Summer months have come and gone and it is still too hot!
Anyway, we are currently getting ready for some big announcements coming in October/November. Also on the go, I have 2 CD's coming out in early 2010 and two subsequent CD-release tours, some very exciting new opportunities for next summer's Jazz Camp's are also coming up.
Stay tuned for details in the coming weeks!
Karl Schwonik
Chicago Goes West: Live at the Kennedy Center - September 1, 2009
Canada Council for the Arts - July 16, 2009
I just wanted to extend a huge Thank you to the Canada Council for the Arts!
They have generously supported two of my projects this year: 3 month study in New York City and my debut CD 'Visions From the Farm'. I am very excited for what the next year will bring!
WJC Thank you, Times and 2010 - July 16, 2009
On behalf of myself, Assistant Director Andrea and all of the rest of the Faculty I wanted to extend a big thank you to everyone for making the 2009 Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp a great success!
What an amazing week filled with fantastic music and growth. I am very excited about what is possible in the coming years for the Camp as we grow in numbers and in knowledge.
If you haven't picked up the Wetaskiwin Times from Wednesday yet, definitely get it and turn to the article on the Camp. I have not seen the photos for the article yet but I'm sure they are great. Special thanks to everyone who spoke to the Editor at the final concert!
The 2010 Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp will be from July 11-16, 2010. I'll keep in touch about that and also about my CD-release concert in Wetaskiwin this January.
Take care and have a great end to the summer!
Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp: Final Concert - July 9, 2009
Everyone is invited to the final concert of the 2009 Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp tomorrow at Grace Lutheran Church in Wetaskiwin starting at 7pm.
The students have been amazing this week and the concert tomorrow is going to be wonderful!
Grace Lutheran Church: Wetaskiwin
7pm: 3 student combos
8:30: Faculty ensemble (Karl Schwonik, Chris Andrew, James Davis, Kodi Hutchinson, and Brent Mah)
Free admission
Donations will be accepted.
Hope to see you then!
Karl Schwonik
Alberta Foundation for the Arts!! - July 1, 2009
I just wanted to extend a huge thank you to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts for their continued support of my projects! And most importantly, my upcoming CD 'Visions From the Farm'.
FREE PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
2009 C-JAZZ Camp
JUNE 24-27, 2009
C-Jazz and The 2009 Calgary Jazz Festival would like to invite you to an exciting series of 4 FREE, PUBLIC workshops happening at the 2009 Calgary Jazz Festival’s C-Jazz Camp. Each workshop will be from 3-5pm and will happen on the Jack Singer Lobby Stage at the EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts. 205 8St SE. These workshops are open to anyone of any age, and there is no need to sign up, just come as you are.
Wednesday, June 24
HUGH FRASER AND MEMBERS OF VEJI (Victoria/Vancouver)
Thursday, June 25
NOBUKI TAKAMEN GROUP (New York City)
Friday, June 26
JENS LINDEMANN (Los Angeles)
Saturday, June 27
JOHN ABERCROMBIE (New York City)
Each day will be unique and a lot of fun. For more information on the artists please visit: www.calgaryjazz.com For more information regarding the Camp or the Free Public Workshops please contact C-Jazz Camp Director Karl Schwonik at kschwonik@hotmail.com or (514) 518-1018.
The 2009 C-Jazz Camp is supported in part by Yamaha Canada and Long-McQuade Calgary.
Call for Applications: Calgary Jazz Festival's C-Jazz Camp - June 3, 2009
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS
2009 C-JAZZ Camp
JUNE 24-27, 2009
C-Jazz and The 2009 Calgary Jazz Festival are now accepting applications for the 2009 C-Jazz Camp! We are looking for young, up and coming jazz musicians from Calgary and southern Alberta to participate in this 4-day workshop learning with some of North America’s finest jazz musicians!
A select group of 18 musicians 15-25 years of age who have an advanced level of performance in jazz music will be accepted. Students will receive a pass to attend performances free of charge during the jazz festival and they will also perform at The 2009 Calgary Jazz Festival with their groups formed during the workshop.
-Program Dates: June 24-27, 2009
-Application Deadline: Monday, June 8 (applicants will be notified by June 12)
-Registration Fee: once accepted, students will be asked to pay $129 fee (there is no tuition cost for the camp)
*SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE
-Faculty: To be chosen from touring musicians who are performing at the 2009 Calgary Jazz Festival
On your written application please have the following:
- NAME
- AGE
- ADDRESS
- PHONE NUMBER
- EMAIL ADDRESS
- INSTRUMENT
- CD example of playing (can be anything)
*Make sure to label CD with your name and instrument
To:
C-Jazz Camp
#202, 351 – 11th Ave SW
Calgary, AB
T2R 0C7
For further information, or if you feel your application may be late, please contact C-Jazz Camp Director: Karl Schwonik, kschwonik@hotmail.com, or
C-Jazz, The Calgary Jazz Association. 403-802-4015.
New Photos......! - May 23, 2009
I have posted a couple photos from my performances with Remi Bolduc this past February. Also, in anticipation of my upcoming CD 'Visions From the Farm' I have posted some photos taken by Pauline Valberg........at my parents' farm.......they turned out great! A big thanks to Pauline for all her hard work and for coming on board so willingly with my concept.
Karl Schwonik
CHICAGO GOES WEST - May 6, 2009
If you have a moment, please check out the new myspace and website for Chicago Goes West. James Davis, Nic Bedard and I decided to keep this group together after our Canadian tour this year and our recent performance at the Kennedy Center.
We will be recording a CD this summer in Calgary and we are currently booking a tour of 7 US states for next February.
Thanks!
I wanted to extend a huge thank-you to Liz, Rachel, Katherine, Liza, Elana, P.D, Soula and everyone else at VSA Arts that worked so hard to put on a successful concert yesterday! The two days we spent in Washington, D.C. were truly fantastic and the support from VSA, the Kennedy Center and everyone else around the event was amazing.
On behalf of myself, James and Nic: THANK YOU!
April Update... - April 27, 2009
I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank everyone for your kind words about my feature on CBC Radio 2 Montreal this past weekend! If you haven't heard, my wife and I are moving back to Calgary next week and will be there for at least the next year and a half.
This summer is going to be very exciting for both of us and I have a number of projects that I am looking forward to. See the 'Calendar' section for details.
CALL FOR APPLICATION - March 2, 2009
CALL FOR APPLICATION
Dear Friends, Music Teachers and Colleagues,
I’m writing to inform you that we are now accepting applications for the 2009 Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp, July 5-10, 2009 in Wetaskiwin, AB!! If you or someone you know is interested then follow the directions below to apply or pass along this info.
This year’s exciting faculty includes: James Davis (Trumpet) from Chicago, Chris Andrew (Piano) from Edmonton, Kodi Hutchinson (Bass) from Calgary, Brent Mah (Sax) from Calgary and myself Karl Schwonik (Drums) from Gwynne.
Students 14-30 years old can apply and should have at least a few years experience on their instrument and some knowledge of Jazz: the more the better! We are accepting applicants for: sax, trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano, bass and drums.
To apply send (application deadline is May 15, 2009):
-Name
-Instrument
-Years of musical training
-Age
-Gender
-Address
-Phone number
-Email
-Fee (Cheque only) of $250.00 (payable to Wetaskiwin Jazz Society)
To:
Karl Schwonik
Wetaskiwin Jazz Society
RR#2
Gwynne, AB
T0C 1L0
For more information please contact me directly at kschwonik@hotmail.com or visit www.myspace.com/wetaskiwinjazz. Space is limited! We look forward to seeing many applications over the coming months!
All the best,
Karl Schwonik
President – Wetaskiwin Jazz Society
Artistic Director – Wetaskiwin Jazz Camp
February: International Soloist Competition, Remi Bolduc, Kevin Dean... - Feb. 3, 2009
Hello everyone,
Just a short February update: I have received news that I am the 2009 winner of the VSA Arts International Young Soloist Competition. The prize is $5,000 and they are flying my group to perform at the Kennedy Center in D.C. on April 28!
Also very excited to be performing with these great Montreal musicians in the coming weeks...until next time...
Kevin Dean Quartet
Thursday, February 5: Upstairs Jazz Bar www.upstairsjazz.com Kevin Dean-Trumpet, Andre White-Piano, Alec Walkington-Bass, Karl Schwonik-Drums
Remi Bolduc Sextet
Saturday, February 14: Baie Comeau, QC
Remi Bolduc-sax, Al Mclean-sax, Alex Cote-Sax, Steve Amireault-Piano, Fraser Hollins-Bass
Remi Bolduc Sextet
Saturday, February 15: Quebec City, QC
Remi Bolduc-sax, Al Mclean-sax, Alex Cote-Sax, Steve Amireault-Piano, Fraser Hollins-Bass
CBC Radio 2 Concert online now! - January 19, 2009
Thanks to everyone for listening to my performance on CBC Radio 2 last night.
For those of you who missed it, here is the link for the performance on 'Concerts on Demand'.
Thanks to Mark DeJong, the U. of Saskatchewan and to everyone who supported the group last night! What a great ending to a very successful couple of weeks.
Thanks to everyone who supported us through sponsorship, attending the concerts, buying the cd's, made us a meal, gave us directions, and helped with the promotion and production of all the events. This was definitely one of the most talented groups I've been a part of and also one of the most enjoyable tours I have planned.
Some exciting news will be coming up in the next month for me. Check back on the website for those details.
Until next time...
Karl Schwonik
CBC Radio 2: NEXT: Canada's Music Future! This Sunday!!! - January 17, 2009
Tune in to CBC Radio 2 at 8pm on Sunday, January 18 as my trio if featured in the first concert of a new series called 'NEXT: Canada's Music Future!'
James Davis - Trumpet
Nic Bedard - Bass
Karl Schwonik - Drums
Karl Schwonik
Chicago Goes West Tour in Saskatoon Tonight! - January 17, 2009
Another day, another outstanding coffee house! Thanks to Merchant's and everyone from Camrose that came out to support the trio last night.
Tonight is the last day of our Chicago Goes West tour and we will be in Saskatoon at the Quance Theatre at the U. of Saskatchewan at 9pm. If you are free, definitely come see this group for our last show of the tour!
Quance Theatre: U. of Sask.
28 Campus Dr., Saskatoon, SK
9pm
James Davis - Trumpet (www.jcdavis.org)
Karl Schwonik - Drums (www.karlschwonik.com)
Nic Bedard - Bass
Chicago Goes West Tour in Camrose Tonight! - January 16, 2009
Big Thanks to Lyle Sean Kat and everyone else who were so great to us yesterday in Medicine Hat!
Best coffee in Western Canada....
Tonight we will be performing at Merchant's in Camrose (main street). We will be playing from 8-10 and the show is free.
If you are in the area, definitely come out and hear some standards.
Karl Schwonik
Article in Red Deer Advocate - January 16, 2009
Just one change. This is Nic Bedard on bass and NOT Adam Over.
Check it out if you get a second...
Chicago Goes West Tour in Medicine Hat Tomorrow (Thursday)! - January 15, 2009
I probably will not get a chance to do this later so I'll send the message a day early. Tomorrow our trio is heading to Medicine Hat! If you are free definitely come out to hear the group...
9-10am and 3-4pm at the Mad Hatter Coffee Roastery 513 3 Street SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0H2
(403) 529-2344
Then our main performance at the Ottoman Lounge from 9-12, tickets at the door:
502 South Railway Street SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2V6
(403) 504-5689
Hope to see a lot of you there...
Karl Schwonik
Chicago Goes West Tour in Red Deer tonight! - January 14, 2009
Thanks to the few brave Edmontonians that braved the snow storm on Monday night to support our trio.
And also a word of thanks to Miles Jackson at Ma-me-o music. We recorded 8 tracks at his studio yesterday and they sound fantastic!
If you are in the Red Deer region tonight definitely come out and see our group at The Matchbox. We start at 7:30 and the tickets will be sold at the door.
Until tomorrow...
Karl Schwonik
Chicago Goes West Tour in Edmonton Tonight! - January 12, 2009
Thanks to everyone who supported the group yesterday! we had an amazing performance with the WCHS big band and a nice time in Daysland as well!
Today we will be at Haven Social Club in Edmonton starting at 8pm. Cover is $10, if you are free, we would love to see you there...
Chicago Goes West Tour in Wetaskiwin and Daysland Today!! - January 11, 2009
I would definitely like to thank everyone who came out and supported the group last night at the Beat Niq! The place was standing room only and we really had a blast!
We are playing twice today, if you are free definitely come down and see the group:
-2pm: Wetaskiwin Composite High School (Cafeteria) performing with the high school students. FREE ADMISSION
-8pm: Palace Theatre in Daysland, AB. Tickets at the door. This will feature a good friend Charlie Austin on Piano.
Until tomorrow...
Karl Schwonik
Chicago Goes West tour at Beat Niq Tonight! - January 10, 2009
Well, here we are 9 days into the Chicago Goes West tour. We just finished a week of free clinics and performances in Central Alberta for students from grade 1 all the way up to grade 12.
Tonight is a very special event for the group. We will be performing at the Beat Niq Jazz and Social club in Calgary. This will be recorded by CBC Radio 2 for a national broadcast on Canada Live! Definitely come down if you get the chance!!
Chicago Goes West: Karl Schwonik Trio featuring James Davis
Beat Niq Jazz and Social Club
811 1st Street SW, Calgary, AB
9pm, cover is $15
James Davis - Trumpet (www.jcdavis.org)
Nic Bedard - Bass
Karl Schwonik - Drums
Karl Schwonik
Article in the Star Phoenix (Sask). - January 9, 2009
If you have a moment, take a look at this article in Saskatoon's Star Phoenix about our upcoming performance in the city as well as what great things Mark DeJong is doing for the community there:
Hello everyone,
Just a note to let you know about an article recently in the Medicine Hat News about our current Chicago Goes West Tour. Take a look if you have a second:
Here is an article that was printed in today's Wetaskiwin Times. Big thanks to the paper for supporting our tour. Just ignore the 'Jason Schwonik'. Don't know where they got Jason from......
