MUSIC MALES SINGERS

C O M M U N I T Y N E W S B C W M A G A Z I N E Bridget C. Williams Canadian singer who is best known for being the Bridget C. Williams second-place finisher in the first season of the reality television series . Gary is from the community of Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia.

Gary Beals is a Juno nominee, a five-time African Nova Scotian Music Award winner, a Canadian Gary Urban Music Award nominee, a Canadian Independent Music Award winner, a Canadian Radio Music Award nominee and an East Coast Music Award winner. The Premier of his home Beals province of Nova Scotia declared November 22 as Gary Beals Day.

His breakthrough came in 2003 on the debut season of the smash hit television talent show, Canadian Idol, where he won the runner-up title ahead of tens of thousands of hopefuls. Gary captured the hearts of millions of Canadians and

became a household name. N O M A D I C | 2 4 Plasma Records teamed Gary with acclaimed multi- platinum award-winning producers Orin Isaacs and Marcus Kane, and the result was Gary’s top-ten self-titled debut CD released in August 2004, showcasing his amazing voice and song-writing skills. His hit single, “Summer Nights”, had steady rotation on radio stations across Canada, and the accompanying video to the single played on MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic and MuchVibe which helped to propel Gary’s Top 10 Album. The album received a 2005 Juno nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year, and a 2004 Canadian Urban Music Award nomination for New Artist of the Year.

Throughout his musical career, Gary has used the gift of his voice to spread messages of positivity and upliftment. He donates his time to numerous causes, including the Canadian Cancer Society, Children's Wish Foundation, ATV's Christmas Daddies and the United Way. In 2004, Gary was part of FLOW 93.5’s anti-violence campaign in which he was a member of the Peace Prophets, a collective of Canadian artists who recorded an anti-violence anthem called “Drop the Chrome”.

TNow, a more mature Gary is ready to offer his fans an album that showcases his rebirth. ‘The Rebirth Of…’ combines Gary’s soulful R&B gospel sound with layers of musical influences, including pop, reggae and hip hop and showcases a range of tracks that are smooth, inspirational and vibrant! The first single from the album, I Know You’re Out There, is a high-energy dance floor track that can still be heard on radio stations across Canada, and the current single, “Jump Off”, featuring Blessed is sure to be a hot summer jam.

Gary is back and better than ever! Now based in Toronto, Jeremiah was born and raised in Cherrybrook, Nova Scotia. His musical career started in the church, where he became the organist at the age of sixteen. By the time he was asked to move to Toronto to Jeremiah play the role of “Mufasa” in The Lion King, he had held the position of Church organist and Choir director for Sparks over twenty years. Jeremiah is now an accomplished actor, singer and composer. You may recognize his voice in commercials and cartoons. His theatre credits include Hosanna, Satchmo suite, The Odyssey (Stratford; actor and composer) Mother Courage, A Christmas Carol, and Oliver for the National Arts Center. He is a major performer in the world renown production of Drum. Jeremiah recently performed as the lead role in the play named Cake for the Biyimba International Arts Festival in

Uganda, Africa. N O M A D I C | 2 4 Jeremiah was very happy to be a part of DRUM!. He’s been featured as a principal in many plays, including his role in the Toronto production of the Lion King. His film credits include One Heart Broken Into Song (for which he wrote the music score), A Town Without Christmas, Trailer Park Boys and Wise Girls (with Mariah Carey).

He released his first CD, Let Go and Let God, in 1999. “I thank God for putting me here and blessing me with the opportunity to work with such beautiful people.”

July 23, 2016 Jeremiah was part of the Scotian Groove. Jeremiah Sparks is a musical dynamo and composer who can belt out Gospel and then soothe you with a raspy Rhythm and Blues.

He was also featured talent at Megan Boys Entertainment. Jeremiah travels internationally acting and singing.

N O M A D I C | 2 4 Keonté Beals – the young but wisely talented R&B/POP artist, singer-songwriter and piano player, has made a big splash in Nova Scotia’s music scene. Multi-award KEONTE winner, Keonté’s future is unfolding to be a bright one.

BEALS Keonté Beals, ANSMA Rising Star of the Year Award Winner (Feb 2016), age 19, was born and raised in North Preston, N.S. Keonté started singing at the age of 7. He is the winner of ANSMA’s Emerging artist of the Year award in 2015 and one of the three 2014 award recipients of the Partnership of Hope Award presented by CHAMA.

N O M A D I C | 2 4 This amazing young man is a bright light in the Music scene. He is working on new music to be released soon. Stay tuned!Keonté Beals, Music Nova Scotia's Inspirational recording of the Year award winner 2016 was born and raised in North Preston Nova Scotia.

May. 30th 2016 Keonte released his debut single #ManDown which went on to create great media attention for its passionate lyrical value and has gained him 3 Music Nova Scotia Award Nominations (SOCAN songwriter of the Year Award, African Nova Scotian Artist of the Year and Inspirational Recording of the Year Award). Keonte has won ANSMA Emerging artist of the Year award, ANSMA Rising star of the Year award, ESSO Festival Fan Choice award, CHAMA Partnership of Hope award and he was awarded a Rising Star award from the Honorable Keith Colwell

Since finding a passion in singing, at age 16 Keonte had his first solo in his home church Saint Thomas Baptist Church in North Preston. This particular solo opened up many opportunities to sing at other churches and church events all around Halifax that generated great buzz about the young singer.

Keonte’s career began June 14th 2014 after releasing a cover version of the song “I’m here” from the popular movie soundtrack of “The Color Purple.” This cover spread quickly, generating even more buzz about the singer who was now 17 and scored him his first two award nominations/wins. The cover song grabbed the attention of Prismatic Arts Festival direct Shahin Sayadi who gave Keonte a platform to showcase on the main stage at the festival, thus opening up even greater opportunities. Corey's childhood home was adorned with pictures of some of the world's COREY greatest jazz and rhythm & blues talents. It was filled with spirits of the likes of Louis Armstrong, Dizzie Gillepsie, Joe Williams, and none other ADAMS than, Duke Ellington, his grandmother's third cousin. Corey thinks back to a time when, Mr. Blues Legend himself, B.B. King, played in his One of Corey's most outstanding and family living room after a concert in memorable performances was during a live Halifax. taping of CBC Radio's program, "Identities", when he sang the song, "Feelings". It was, at Corey started his musical career at that moment, that Corey discovered his school at age 11. It didn't take long dynamic inner ability to dig down and before his instructors recognized his produce a unique, rich, deep, and yet talent and advanced his grade level. It smooth tone that could fill the largest hall. was at age 17 that he discovered his Corey and his father delivered a stunning most treasured gift -- his voice. He performance which was among the made his discovery when he was asked contributions that led to the CBC to win the to sing lead in the masse choir at Gabriel Award for Broadcasting Excellence. church. He joined his dad, Bucky, at age 16 singing and playing the alto saxophone at some of Halifax's finest entertainment spots (such as the Middle Deck). While living in Toronto, Ontario, Corey performed widely in the city in hotels, jazz clubs, art galleries, private parties, weddings, and concerts. He sings the songs of the all-time greats -- Arthur Prysock, Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Nat King Cole, and Lou Rawls (to name a few).

Corey performed at the Art Gallery of Ontario with local greats such as John Summer (drummer), Kieran Overs (bassist), Mark Eisenman (pianist), Greg Stone (guitarist), and Perry White (saxophonist). Corey was featured as a guest artist at the Montreal Bistro while performing with the dynamic Steve Kove Trio. Among his other important credits is his duo-recording with Canada's renowned jazz pianist, Oliver Jones.

Recently Corey performed with Walter Borden at Halifax, Nova Scotia - Neptune's DuMaurier Theatre in "Four Walls Of Blue" a play written by Jeri Brown.

Corey Adams continues to delight audiences with his smooth deep, rich voice and his engaging and exhilarating performances. He has become a premier executive representative of the vocal jazz and rhythm & blues art From the community of Hammonds Plains. Marcell Symonds, a Halifax gospel singer and a former member of the Canadian Armed Forces, was presented with the Marjorie Lindsay MARCELL Pioneer Award for his musical contributions over a 50-year career, which lately includes his new CD Just SYMONDS a Closer Walk. “It’s not about money, it’s not about awards,” Symonds said in his acceptance speech. “That’s nice, but when people ask me what makes it all worthwhile, I think of times like when I was singing at Windjammers basketball games and kids ran up to ask for autographs, or when I run into someone at the store and they tell me they’re glad I’m still singing. Marcel Symonds has been nominated for two 2016 ECMAs -Gospel Recording of the Year and the Bucky Adams Memorial Award. The awards take place this year in Sydney between April 13th.and April 17th. For more on the festival.

Just a Closer Walk

Congratulations to Marcel Symonds on the release of his new Gospel CD, entitled ‘Just a Closer Walk’. Marcel, who is the son of the late Reverend and Mrs. Calvin Symonds, is no stranger to the gospel sound.

Marcel joined IMP in 1999 and has spent most of the last 15 years on the Sea King program, although he has been entertaining throughout the Maritimes for decades. He is reported to have ”a soft sweet vocal style, with the ability to deliver a powerful tenor vibrato when required.”

2015 Marcell sang at The Feel the Love of Music Extravaganza at Casino Nova Scotia on February 11th, 2015.

Congratulations and well done to Marcel.