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Jamie Drake

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Jamie Drake BIO

Described as "an incredibly musical percussionist" and as having an "impeccable sense of time and feel", Jamie Drake is a Toronto-based percussionist, drummer and composer. He received his MMus from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and has pursued doctoral studies at the University of Toronto with Dr. Russell Hartenberger. His solo and chamber performances have included premieres by Christos Hatzis, Elinor Armer and John Luther Adams. As a member of TorQ Percussion Quartet, he has performed numerous concerts, workshops and educational shows across Canada, the United States and Europe. A busy freelance percussionist, he has performed with Evelyn Glennie, NEXUS, Soundstreams, Amici, Niagara Symphony, Aradia Ensemble, and is percussionist and on the artistic staff for the Hamilton Children’s Choir. He recently he served as interim percussion instructor at Acadia University, and as a composer, percussion consultant, and performer for the second season of the CBC television show “Canada’s Smartest Person”. He released his first solo album, Night, in July 2014.

Equally at home playing drumset, Jamie has served as house drummer for Soulpepper Concerts, is a frequent collaborator with cabaret artist Sharron Matthews and is the percussionist/drummer and assistant arranger for Acting Upstage’s “UnCovered” Concert series. An active theatre musician, Jamie has played for more than 50 musicals, including Canadian Stage’s award-winning London Road and has recorded theatre music for the Shaw Festival and composer Andrew Lippa.

Jamie's compositions and arrangements have been commissioned and performed by TorQ Percussion Quartet, Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, Hamilton Children's Choir, Hillfield Strathallan College, and OnnanoKo Taiko, amongst others. Upcoming projects include a work for solo vibraphone and a composition for SSAA choir and percussion.

Jamie Drake News


LACO Announces Principal Flute and First Violin Section Appointments


Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) has appointed Benjamin Smolen to Principal Flute and Misha Vayman to the First Violin section, announced LACO Music Director Jaime Martín. Both musicians are based in Los Angeles and will begin their new posts with the Orchestra in the fall.

Video: Vanessa Sears Performs 'Money, Money, Money' & 'AngelEyes' From UNCOVERED: THE MUSIC OF ABBA!


 As the dates of the 16th edition of  The Musical Stage Company's unmissable signature UNCOVERED concert event come into view - UNCOVERED THE MUSIC OF ABBA - the company has released a first look video today of performer Vanessa Sears and Musical Director Reza Jacobs performing a medley of MONEY, MONEY, MONEY and ANGELEYES.

Hailey Gillis, Vanessa Sears, Germaine Konji & More Join UNCOVERED: THE MUSIC OF ABBA


Winding up a summer that saw  The Musical Stage Company fill the city with music through their inaugural MARQUEE program, the company is thrilled to reveal the star-studded lineup and dates for the 16th edition of their unmissable signature UNCOVERED concert event.  

Jamie Drake Releases New Album 'New Girl'


Jamie Drake releases her new album New Girl via AntiFragile Music. She is also sharing the video for the LP’s “Its A New Life.” Leading to the release of New Girl Jamie has shared a handful of singles - “Is There Something Wrong With Me?,” the album’s title track “New Girl,”  “Beginnings” and “Easy Target.'

Jamie Drake Shares New Single 'Is There Something Wrong With Me?'


Drake has previously shared the album’s title track “New Girl,”  “Beginnings” and “Easy Target,” which Buzzbands LA called “a free-flowing, vocally warm pop song in the vein of ’60s and ’70s AM radio hitmakers.” 48 Hills labeled it a “warm open hug of tune.” 

Jamie Drake Shares New Single 'New Girl'


Drake has shared the LP’s title track. The Bossa Nova influenced “New Girl” depicts Jamie’s gypsy-like childhood with a twinkle in her eye. Drake has previously shared “Beginnings” and “Easy Target,” which Buzzbands LA called “a free-flowing, pop song in the vein of ’60s and ’70s AM radio hitmakers.” 48 Hills labeled it a “warm open hug of tune.”

Singer-Songwriter Jamie Drake Reveals 'Beginning' Single


Singer-songwriter Jamie Drake has released a new single, “Beginnings.” With Bossa Nova undertones melding perfectly with warm pop sensibilities that Drake is known for, the song serves as a taste of what is to come on her forthcoming album New Girl which is out June 10 via AntiFragile Music. 

Jamie Drake Shares New Single 'Beginnings'


Singer-songwriter Jamie Drake has released a new single, “Beginnings.” With Bossa Nova undertones melding perfectly with warm pop sensibilities that Drake is known for, the song serves as a taste of what is to come on her forthcoming album New Girl which will be released via AntiFragile Music.  

Jamie Drake Announces Upcoming Album 'New Girl'


Drake has released the new single “Easy Target,” her first new music since last year’s Here Comes The Light, The B Sides EP.  The track exemplifies her penchant for melding indie folk with pop stylings. It was written with Caroline Spence and marks their first collaboration. Musically inspired by Drake’s love of early 1970s Laurel Canyon.

Photos: Mark MacKillop Brings DUETS To Birdland


Mark Mackillop star of West Side Story, Anastasia and Dirty Dancing, made his Birdland debut with a concert called 'Duets' on Monday, March 14.

The Playwrights Realm Announces 2021 PLAY-A-THON


The Realm’s Play-A-Thon, returning March 15-25 following its success in 2020, creatively activates the potential of virtual gathering to bring people together in direct engagement with the work of some of today’s most captivating writers.

Segal Centre The Musical Stage Company Presents UNCOVERED: NOTES FROM THE HEART


Each year, thousands of audience members flock to Toronto's renowned The Musical Stage Company signature concert UnCovered to discover the stories hidden within familiar pop songs. Now, for the first time, Montreal will have access to this riveting and deeply moving show filled with inspirational voices on Saturday, November 21, 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, November 22, 11:00 a.m.

Mountain Jam Music Festival Announces 2020 Weekend Lineup, Featuring Gov't Mule, Brandi Carlile, & More! 


Mountain Jam, one of the Northeast's largest rock n' roll music festivals, now in its 16th continuous year, has announced its lineup for the three-day music extravaganza May 29-31, 2020. The Festival will feature over 30 bands across three days including headliners Trey Anastasio Band, Gov't Mule, and Brandi Carlile plus performances from Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit, The Head and the Heart, Grace Potter, Greensky Bluegrass, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Margo Price, Yola, Hiss Golden Messenger and many more across three stages (full lineup by day below). Additionally, the Festival will feature a special tribute performance in honor of Levon Helm's 80th birthday featuring The Midnight Ramble Band and very special guests.

See Highlights From the 2020 Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe


The Sundance ASCAP Music Café headed into its first full week of the Sundance Film Festival with a wide array of performers representing many different musical flavors. Nashville writers included Joe Robinson, originally from Australia who is a guitar wizard and accomplished sideman for such artists as Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell and many more. Colter Wall, originally from Canada served up some authentic country and western songs made resonant by his deep baritone voice. And Barry Zito, a former major league baseball player who has found a new career as a singer-songwriter in Music City, played songs that have been placed with other artists and which have been featured in film and television.

Sundance ASCAP Music Café Presents its 22nd Anniversary Lineup


ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) announces an eclectic music lineup for its 22nd Annual Sundance ASCAP Music Café, taking place January 24 - 31, 2020 during the acclaimed Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. Beginning at 2 p.m. each day, the Café will feature a dynamic mix of both established and emerging songwriters and artists such as Matt Berninger (of The National), Derek Smalls (formerly of the band formerly known as Spinal Tap), the bird and the bee, Barry Zito, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Matthew Koma (of Winnetka Bowling League) and ZZ Ward.

BWW Review: Iconic Music and Powerhouse Artists put Stevie Wonder and Prince Center Stage in UNCOVERED


When it comes to covering popular music, navigating the space between individual interpretation while still respecting the original artist's work could be a daunting task. And when the artists whose music is being covered are household names and legends in every way, there's also the need to ensure their fans appreciate the changes made in the reimagining.

Young People's Theatre Presents Canadian Premiere Of THE ADVENTURES OF PINOCCHIO


a??a??a??a??a??a??a??Young People's Theatre (YPT) is thrilled to announce that this year's holiday musical is the Canadian premiere of The Adventures of Pinocchio! Multi-award-winning actor Sheila McCarthy returns to YPT after more than 35 years to direct this rollicking new musical, which follows the beloved marionette on his mischievous quest to become a real human being. The Adventures of Pinocchio will be presented on the Mainstage from November 11, 2019 to January 5, 2020.

Jamie Drake Shares 'Redwood Tree' Video With The Talkhouse


Los Angeles-based indie folk songwriter Jamie Drake shared the official video for 'Redwood Tree' with The Talkhouse. The song is featured on Jamie Drake's stunning debut album, Everything's Fine out now via AntiFragile Music. About the video Jamie Drake told The Talkhouse, “'Redwood Tree' is a joyous song, celebrating the creation of music itself, so it made sense to have fun with the video. It was a team effort all around — coming together over time, with all the right elements, people and ideas — similar to Kristen Meyer's collage art for the album and single covers.' Video director Marke Johnson of The Made Shop adds, 'The process was technically quite simple. We started with a time lapse video of Kristen actually creating what would eventually become the single artwork. We sped this up many times to show the unfolding of the twigs and flowers. Then Jamie just shot herself using an iPhone, a couple lights, and green face paint that only revealed her eyes and mouth as she sang each layered vocal part in turn. From there it was a fairly direct process of extracting the lips and eyes, and compositing them onto the emerging time lapse twig structure.'

Jamie Drake To Release 'Everything's Fine' on September 20


One of Los Angeles' best-kept musical secrets, indie folk songwriter Jamie Drake will emerge onto the national scene with her stunning debut album, Everything's Fine out September 20, 2019 via AntiFragile Music (pre-order). Today Jamie Drake has shared 'Redwood Tree' the latest single from the forthcoming album with AudioFemme. The track premiered on the site along with an exclusive interview with Jamie Drake. AudioFemme raves, 'Jamie Drake presents a portrait of herself as singer-songwriter driven by both pop sensibilities and sweeping cinematic tendencies, both of which make 'Redwood Tree' a 'tentpole' on the album's tracklist. The feeling of floating through reality displays itself beautifully on the track, its delicate arrangement meandering through a forest so lush, so thick and untouched by human hands, you never want to leave. 'Redwood Tree' will be available on all streaming services this Friday and follows up her first two singles, 'Everything's Fine” and “Wonder,” which have received a combined five millions streams on Spotify. 

Soundstreams Presents SEVEN DEADLY SINS


Soundstreams presents, "Seven Deadly Sins," original music theatre based on timeless transgressions by an eclectic company of composers, songwriters, and performers. Seven Deadly Sins will be at The Great Hall in Toronto, for three performances, April 9, 10 and 11, 2019.

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