Hello everyone,
Happy Friday to you all. I hope this week treated you well.
I am excited to be a keynote presenter at the 5th annual Winnipeg DrumTalk Festival. Next Saturday, March 15th, 11:00am to 4:30pm at River East Collegiate (295 Sutton Avenue). Presented by The Music Cellar. Featuring The Lucas Sader Project, including myself on drums, Erin Propp on vocals, Paul Balcain on alto and tenor saxophone, and Karl Kohut on bass.
Founded by David Schneider of The Music Cellar, this incredible event has grown to be the largest drumming festival in western Canada. Make sure not to miss this opportunity to share, learn, and grow through drumming, and music as a whole. Admission is $25 for the entire event. To learn more about the event, my fellow presenters, and to reserve your tickets, click here.
dig! Magazine is Winnipeg’s central hub for everything and anything Jazz. I wrote an article, titled Transcendence: The Brubeck Brothers, for their newest issue that hit the streets last week. You can pick up your own free issue of dig! at various establishments throughout Winnipeg, including Starbucks, McNally Robinson, and the Jazz Winnipeg office. You can also have dig! Magazine delivered right to your door by subscribing for only $15 a year. Click here to learn more.
I leave you all with Food for Thought that is close to my heart:
“Hope is the thing with feathers -
That perches on the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops – at all.” - Emily Dickinson
Carpe diem,
- Lucas
Final Day
Hello everyone,
The past week has been incredible. The outpour of support we have received with the opening of Julian Award voting has truly been special. For those of you who have not had a chance to cast your vote, today is the FINAL DAY. Vote for The Lucas Sader Project by clicking here.
The Julian Award is presented by Peter Prentice and The Jazz Spectrum on CJSF 90.1FM out of Burnaby, British Columbia. The winner will be announced tomorrow live on The Jazz Spectrum at 4pm. Tune in to the live broadcast tomorrow by following this link (click on Program Guide – Wednesday – The Jazz Spectrum to tune in).
It is an absolute honour being considered alongside such incredible artists from across Canada. Make sure to check out music from all of my fellow nominees, including Pram Trio (Toronto), Jordana Talsky (Toronto), Ben Henriques (Vancouver), Fawn Fritzen (Whitehorse), and my good friend Curtis Nowosad (Winnipeg).
Keep an eye out for an update on Julian Award voting results, along with a few other exciting Lucas Sader Music announcements, in the next few days. Have a great evening everyone.
Carpe diem,
- Lucas
Let the Voting Begin
Hello everyone,
As I mentioned last week, The Lucas Sader Project has been nominated for the 3rd Annual Julian Award of Excellence. VOTING IS NOW OPEN. Click here to cast your vote for The Lucas Sader Project.
Presented by The Jazz Spectrum on CJSF 90.1FM out of Burnaby, British Columbia, the award recognizes emerging Canadian jazz artists. It is an honor to be considered in a category alongside such incredible artists from across Canada. Fan voting will run until Tuesday, January 28th at 10pm. Thank you all so much for your support, it means everything.
The Jazz Spectrum is a weekly radio show on CJSF 90.1FM hosted by Peter Prentice. Tracks from each nominee, including The Lucas Sader Project, will be featured on the show today from 4 to 5pm. You can tune in to the show by following this link.
Earshot! recently released it’s yearly national radio charts. The Lucas Sader Project's Apollo is #6 on their National Jazz Radio Chart for 2013, while also ranking as Canada's #1 Independent Jazz Album last year. It is incredible to know that so many people across the country have enjoyed the album. To check out the entire chart, click here.
Tonight is a special night in the Winnipeg jazz community; The Wednesday Night Hang celebrates 10 Years. As Winnipeg’s weekly jazz jam session, The Hang has served as a vital creative and developmental outlet for countless musicians, including myself. Some of my most meaningful, memorable life experiences on and off the bandstand have occurred at The Hang, for which I am eternally grateful. Drop by The Orbit Room in Nicolino’s (4-2077 Pembina Highway) tonight between 8 and 11pm to take part in the festivities.
Thanks again everyone, and I hope that you all have a great week.
Carpe diem,
- Lucas
The Julian Award
Hello everyone,
Happy 2014 to you all. I truly hope the new year has treated you well thus far.
I am thrilled to announce that The Lucas Sader Project’s debut album Apollo has been nominated for the 3rd Annual Julian Award of Excellence. Presented by The Jazz Spectrum on CJSV 90.1FM out of the greater Vancouver area, British Columbia, the award honors emerging Canadian jazz artists. It is an honor to be considered in a category alongside such incredible artists from across Canada, including my good friend Curtis Nowosad.
Here’s where you come in: a FAN VOTE will decide the winner of the award. Beginning next Wednesday, January 22nd, you will be able to cast your vote online. I will include the link to vote in my next message to you next week. Voting will run until Tuesday, January 29th. You all have been with the group and I each and every step of the way, and I am eternally grateful for your continuous support.
The Jazz Spectrum is a weekly radio show on CJSV 90.1FM hosted by Peter Prentice Wednesdays from 6 to 7PM and Sundays 8 to 9AM. Tracks from each nominee, including The Lucas Sader Project, will be featured for the next few weeks. You can tune in to the show and access archived broadcasts by following this link.
Here is some food for thought for your Monday:
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” - George Bernard Shaw
Carpe diem,
- Lucas
1 Year
Hey everyone,
Last night was the night.
Exactly 1 year ago, The Lucas Sader Project released it’s debut album Apollo at The West End Cultural Centre. It has been an incredible ride, and so many of you have made it possible.
- First and foremost, all of you who have picked up the album, attended our events, requested our music on the radio, and been there every step of the way.
- Derrick Gardner, Paul Balcain, Paul De Gurse, Will Bonness, Karl Kohut and Erin Propp for always bringing so much to the music.
- John Funk at Underscorefunk Design for designing the album, and all Lucas Sader Music's promotional material.
- Laurent Roy at Musirex Productions for recording and mixing the album. Jordan Jackiew at Resosound Productions for mastering the album. Simon Christie for assisting in the mixing of the album.
- Leighton Janis for his wonderful photography and support. New Eternity Productions for filming the album release show.
- Lucas Sader Music's wonderful volunteer team: Alie Clark, Shannon Kristjanson, Jocelyn Goertzen, Joanna Majoko, Mike Cann, Niall Bakkestad-Legare, and Aaron Sabasch.
- FACTOR Canada and Manitoba Film & Music for helping fund the album. Manitoba Music for promoting the album. dig! Magazine for always promoting Winnipeg’s thriving Jazz scene.
- Kelly Hughes and Aqua Books for giving me a platform to develop my vision and present my group’s concept.
- Finally, my incredible family and friends for their unwavering support.
I will never be able to thank you all enough. Keep an eye out for exciting Lucas Sader Project news in the coming months.
On a different note, this month I have officially joined Movember and have been growing out my facial hair in support of men’s cancers/health. My goal has been to raise awareness about the cause while raising whatever funds I can. To learn more and make a contribution, check out my Movember profile by clicking here.
An entire year can fly by in a flash. I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store.
Carpe diem,
- Lucas
All I Want is You
Hello everyone,
I hope you all are enjoying great weeks thus far. Here is a thought for your day: “Courage is grace under pressure” - Ernest Hemmingway.
Today, The Lucas Sader Project released a brand new music video, which captures the group performing my arrangement of U2’s “All I Want is You” at our Apollo Album Release show back in November. The video features the incomparable Erin Propp on vocals, myself on drums, trumpeter Derrick Gardner, saxophonist Paul Balcain, pianist Will Bonness, and bassist Karl Kohut. Filmed and edited by New Eternity Productions. Click here to check our the video.
It is ALMOST TWO WEEKS until The Lucas Sader Project: 2013 TD Winnipeg Jazz Festival. Friday, June 21st, 10:30PM at Cinematheque (100 Arthur Street). Featuring the same lineup listed above. $15 in advance. Make sure to pick up your tickets before the event by clicking here.
The poster for the event hit the streets this past week. It was designed by John Funk at Underscorefunk Design. Click here to check out the poster, and follow this link to check out John's website.
For those of you who would like to check out more of the Jazz Festival, I will also be performing with the Paul De Gurse Quartet on Tuesday, June 18th, at 8:00PM at the Winnipeg Free Press News Café (237 McDermot Avenue). The group will feature Paul and myself, along with Neil Watson and Karl Kohut.
Thank you all once again for your support. Keep an eye out for a Jazz Festival preview by Chris Smith in the Winnipeg Free Press in the next week or so. Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead.
Carpe diem,
- Lucas
Onward
Hello everyone,
Wow, I cannot believe it is March already. I truly hope you and yours are doing great.
I am thrilled to announce The Lucas Sader Project’s next event. On Friday, April 19th, Le Garage Café (166 Provencher Boulevard) will host Onward, a very special evening of music in fulfillment of my University of Manitoba Bachelor of Jazz Studies Degree. So many of you have supported me the past five years, and I would love to celebrate my graduation with you all.
The group will feature myself on drums, along with Simon Christie on trumpet, Paul Balcain on alto/tenor saxophone, Paul De Gurse on piano, Karl Kohut on bass, and the incomparable Erin Propp on vocals. We will be performing my own brand new original compositions and arrangements, along with works from our debut album, Apollo: Tribute to the Miles Davis Quintet. 8PM show time. FREE admission. Please check out the poster for the event, designed by John Funk at Underscorefunk Design.
Make sure to stick around after the show as one of Winnipeg’s premier dance groups, SoulStation, will be performing for the rest of the night. Featuring Joanna Majoko, Jocelyn Goertzen, and LSP bassist Karl Kohut, SoulStation will definitely keep you dancing all night long. Cover charge applicable after 10PM. Click here to check out their Facebook page.
As many of you know, another one of my pursuits is writing. Follow the link below to check out an article I wrote for dig! Magazine, about the Jazz super group James Farm, that was published in their March/April issue. dig! Magazine is FREE, so make sure to pick up your copy at bookstores, coffee houses, and music venues around Winnipeg. Click here to check out the article.
The Sandy Hook Promise is a non-profit corporation created by members of the community of Newtown, Connecticut aimed to support the families of the victims, survivors, first responders, teachers and staff as they try to move forward after the incredibly tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School over three months ago. Please take a moment to visit their website, learn more about the organization, and make The Promise: click here. Three months have passed, Ana, but I think about you every day.
A big thank you to everyone who made it out to our Manitoba Music On Ice performance on The Forks River Trail in February. Your continuing support means so much, and I cannot wait to share music with you again on April 19th. Have a fantastic week.
Carpe diem,
- Lucas
Community
Hello everyone,
I truly hope you and yours have enjoyed a happy and safe February thus far.
I am incredibly elated to announce that The Lucas Sader Project’s “Apollo” reached #1 on !earshot’s monthly National Jazz Chart and #57 on their monthly Top 200 Chart for January. It means so much to see that people across the country are enjoying the album. “Apollo” has charted in 12 cities coast to coast, from Victoria, British Columbia to Saint John, New Brunswick. To check out where the album stands in the latest charts from each city, click here.
Two fellow Winnipeg artists also cracked this month’s National Jazz Chart, with Curtis Nowosad’s “The Skeptic and the Cynic” reaching #3, and Erin Propp’s recent release “Courage, My Love” coming in at #7. If you haven’t already, make sure to pick up both of these exceptional albums and keep an eye out for their upcoming events. I am absolutely thrilled to be a part of such a vibrant jazz scene here in Winnipeg. Click here to check out January's National Jazz Chart.
I am also thrilled to announce a few exciting happenings involving myself and the group. The LSP will be performing next Sunday, February 17th in a warming hut on the river path at The Forks from 1-4PM. We will be in a trio configuration, featuring myself on drums, Derrick Gardner on trumpet, and Karl Kohut on bass. This is as part of a special cultural event, presented by Manitoba Music, Jazz Winnipeg, and other sponsors. I will have more details for you in the next week or so. Keep an eye out in the local press for details on the event as well.
dig! Magazine in an integral cornerstone in Winnipeg’s jazz community. The next issue hits the stands at the beginning of March. Another one my passions is writing, and I am honored to have written an article for the “Dreamscapes” section of the March/April issue. I couldn’t be happier with how the article turned out, and I cannot wait to share it with you.
Winnipeg’s 101.5 UMFM features two fantastic jazz radio shows. Make sure to tune in Tuesdays 1:00-2:00 to catch Straight Ahead with host Aaron Sabasch, and Thursdays 4:00-6:00 to hear Curtis Nowosad host Tomorrow is the Question.
I leave you with a favorite quote of mine as food for thought:
“Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” - Joshua J. Marine
Carpe diem,
- Lucas
Remembrance
Hello everyone,
A huge THANK YOU to everyone who made The Lucas Sader Project’s New Beginnings possible this past Thursday.
First and foremost, everyone who braved the cold to attend. We really, really appreciated your support. Derrick Gardner, Paul Balcain, Erin Propp, Carter Graham, and Karl Kohut for bringing your open minds and hearts to the music. Kelvin Peters and everyone at Arkadash Bistro and Lounge for having us in your fantastic establishment. Leighton Janis for taking photos. John Funk and Underscorefunk Design for designing the poster. Keep an eye out for The Lucas Sader Project's next event, and make sure to 'like' our Facebook page by clicking here.
On Tuesday, January 8th, the world lost a shining light. Nick Voyer-Taylor, one of my oldest and closest friends, left us way too early. At 22 years old, Nick always lived each day to it’s fullest. I will miss you dearly, each and every day, for the rest of my life, Nick. I have chosen to post a track from The Lucas Sader Project’s debut album “Apollo: Tribute to the Miles Davis Quintet” in his memory, “Stella By Starlight”. To hear the track, click here.
To celebrate New Beginnings, a brand new video of The Lucas Sader Project was released this past Thursday. Footage of the group performing “Eighty One” at our Apollo Album Release Show has been posted. Filmed and edited by Jeff Gordon and New Eternity Productions, you can check out the video by clicking here.
“Apollo: Tribute to the Miles Davis Quintet” debuted this week at #8 on !earshot’s National Jazz Chart. The Lucas Sader Project is also cracking the charts on radio stations here in Winnipeg, out east in Hamilton, and out west in Edmonton and Victoria. Kerry Doole at New Canadian Music has also written an excellent review of the album. To read the review and get the latest press on the group, including where the album is in the charts, click here.
I truly hope the frigidity of this winter hasn’t conquered your spirit, yet. Hang in there. Perseverance is as illusive as it is stubborn. Wishing you and yours all the best.
Carpe diem,
- Lucas
Healing
Hello everyone,
I sincerely hope you and yours had a great Holiday season and that 2013 has treated you well thus far. Music has a unique way of healing. I cannot express just how much I am looking forward to sharing music with you once again.
I would like to begin with some fantastic news. The Lucas Sader Project’s debut album, “Apollo: Tribute to the Miles Davis Quintet”, is being played on radio stations across Canada. We reached #1 on the Jazz charts on CFUV in Victoria, British Columbia this past week. The album is also being played on Galaxie Radio’s Jazz Now channel, based in Montreal, Quebec. Click here to check out all the latest press on The LSP.
Lucas Sader Music is thrilled to present The Lucas Sader Project’s next feature event, New Beginnings, which will take place THIS THURSDAY, January 17th, at Arkadash Bistro and Lounge (268 Portage Avenue) at 9:00PM. The group will feature myself on drums, along with trumpeter Derrick Gardner, alto/tenor saxophonist Paul Balcain, pianist Carter Graham, bassist Karl Kohut, and special guest Erin Propp on vocals.
We will perform works from “Apollo: Tribute to the Miles Davis Quintet” along with my own brand new original compositions and arrangements. Admission is $5 students, $10 general. We will invite up special guests from the audience during the 3rd set.
Arkadash Bistro & Lounge is quickly becoming a Jazz hotspot in the heart of Winnipeg. Their menu features exquisite Mediterranean cuisine, all made using high-quality, local ingredients. Arkadash was recently named one of Winnipeg’s top restaurants by the Winnipeg Free Press. Click here to learn more about their exciting menu.
The Lucas Sader Project will also be performing TONIGHT as part of a special book release at the Fort Garry Hotel. Author Jamie Howison has written an exciting new book examining the theological aspects of saxophonist John Coltrane’s music, titled “God’s Mind in That Music”. Unfortunately, the event is already sold out, but click here to learn more about the book and where you can pick up your copy.
“Apollo: Tribute to the Miles Davis Quintet” is now available in stores and online. Here is where you can pick up your copy:
- iTunes
- Amazon
- CD Baby
- McNally Robinson Booksellers (1120 Grant Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
- Music Trader (97 Osborne Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
- Into the Music (245 McDermot Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada)
Keep an eye out this Thursday as a second video from our “Apollo” Album Release Show will be released. It will feature the LSP performing “Eighty One”. To check out the first video from the show, featuring the group performing the album’s title track “Apollo”, click here.
If there is one lesson I have learned this past month, it is that life is overwhelmingly precious. Carpe diem, everyone.
Stay strong,
- Lucas