Mar 1, 2019

FP NEWSLETTER TOP STORIES Welcome to the March edition of the FP Newsletter Vol. 38, our monthly publication giving you all our music news!! To get things started, we recently had the privilege of showcasing one of the fantastic bands we work with, The Ben Dunnill Band, including FP Collaborators Ben Dunnill and Nathan Tapsas, at the Surrey Hospital Foundation Gala on February 23! The band played a 90 minute set while 600 guests all dressed in 007 themed attire flooded into the Aria Convention Centre in Surrey. The event raised $5 million for surgery at the Surrey Memorial Hospital and the lads sounded incredible. Come out to the Sheraton Guildford on Saturday March 16 to catch Ben and Nathan and the band entertain in the MIXT Lounge from 630-1030pm.

Speaking of the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel in Surrey, we’re continuing with our quality live music at MIXT Lounge! BC’s top jazz talent perform on Fridays (6-10pm) and established and up & coming contemporary artists entertain the crowds on Saturdays (630-1030pm). If you’re looking for some fantastic live music on the weekend and live in the Greater Vancouver lower mainland, head over the Port Mann bridge to Surrey and experience the wonderful ambiance, staff and music of MIXT Lounge. If you live in Surrey, even better!! Come on down to MIXT - Surrey’s #1 Live Music Venue.

FUSIONpresents showcased FUSIONpresents and the Surrey Board of Trade continue to lead the way in bringing more quality music The Ben Dunnill Band at the 007 themed to Surrey through our Surrey Music City initiative, helping develop Surrey’s growing music economy and Surrey Hospital Foundation Gala on Feb 23 community! We’ve been meeting with various Surrey artists, promoters and venues, as well as to an audience of 600 people! The Gala raised $5 million for surgery at Surrey representatives from the City of Surrey, and are developing strategies and programs to facilitate and Memorial Hospital!! #tosurreywithlove encourage an increase in live music entertainment in the City. If you’re interested in getting involved, please contact us and let’s set up a meeting at our SBOT Office. If you’re interested in performing on any of our 3 stages (MIXT at the Sheraton Guildford in Surrey, the Bennett in Port Coquitlam, or West Beach in White Rock) please click here and join our online Talent Community to tell us what you do! In this newsletter please check out our featured videos, an editorial by DM White, our BC Artist Highlight, our upcoming shows and jams, FP Food for Thought and don’t forget, FUSIONpresents wants YOU to ROCK, so please come out to our jams and join us on stage!!! MARCH SPECIAL EVENTS FRI 1 Chandra Russell Band @ West Beach, WR (8-12) FRI 1 Gabriel Mark Hasselbach Trio @ MIXT Lounge, Sheraton, SRY (6-10) SAT 2 Robert Graves Band @ West Beach, WR (8-12) SAT 2 Maya Rae & Sami Ghawi @ MIXT Lounge, Sheraton, SRY (630-1030) FRI 8 The Apartment @ The Raven, North Van (8-12) FRI 8 Benito & Friends @ West Beach, WR (8-12) Check out this fantastic interview FRI 8 Stephanie Pedraza Trio @ MIXT Lounge, Sheraton, SRY (630-1030) between Ayla Tesler-Mabe and Eddy Barco of Nebula Music Podcast! Click here SAT 9 Johnny Fatiaki Trio @ West Beach, WR (8-12) SAT 9 Heidi McCurdy Duo @ MIXT Lounge, Sheraton, SRY (630-1030) WEEKLY JAMS & SHOWS FRI 15 Trama @ West Beach, WR (8-12) FRI 15 Gabriel Mark Hasselbach Trio @ MIXT Lounge, Sheraton, SRY (6-10) SAT 16 Mike Machado Trio @ West Beach, WR (8-12) SAT 16 Ben Dunnill Band @ MIXT Lounge, Sheraton, SRY (630-1030) FRI 22 Revolving Doors @ West Beach, WR (8-12) FRI 22 John Lee Trio @ MIXT Lounge, Sheraton, SRY (6-10) SAT 23 Scary Lizards @ West Beach, WR (8-12) SAT 23 Ranj Singh Duo @ Sheraton Guildford, SRY (630-1030) FRI 29 The Apartment @ Woodys, Coq (930-1) FRI 29 Blue Voodoo @ West Beach, WR (8-12) FRI 29 Benito Testini & Mike Kelly @ Sheraton Guildford, SRY (630-1030) Contact FUSIONpresents SAT 30 The Apartment @ Woodys, Coq (930-1) SAT 30 Jokers Hill Band @ West Beach, WR (8-12) www.fusionpresents.com SAT 30 Allegro Trio @ Sheraton Guildford, SRY (630-1030)

FP NEWSLETTER Vol. 38 www.fusionpresents.com Page 1 of 3 Mar 1, 2019 FP NEWSLETTER

BC ARTIST HIGHLIGHT : FEATURED VIDEO JOHN LEE

SUMMER DAYS AYLA TESLER-MABE

Raised in Nanaimo BC, John Lee is one of the most This past January, Fender introduced the latest addition to its line up of axes, the respected and acclaimed young jazz musicians nation Fender Acoustasonic Telecaster: Acoustic. Electric. Everything in Between. Ayla wide. After showing great interest in music at a young Tesler-Mabe was chosen as one of 5 artists to showcase this brand new guitar to age, Lee developed into a virtuoso by his late teens and the world through one of her original compositions, Summer Days. by the time Lee completed his high school studies he had Watch the full video here! received a remarkable amount of recognition by prominent jazz musicians in Canada and earned an BUDDY & THE impressive collection of awards, scholarships and by D.M. White honours from Envision Jazz Festival, MusicFest Canada and Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. Through the Have you been to a concert? It’s not too late. At 82 years old, he still plays live and recommendation of Ingrid Jensen (Maria Schneider he has still got them blues. Buddy grew up in rural Louisiana before really learning to play Orchestra) and Christian Fabian (Lionel Hampton Big guitar and perform while in Baton Rouge. He was persuaded to go north to if he Band), Lee applied to the prestigious Berklee College of wanted to become professional. In Chicago, Buddy almost called it quits before he eventually Music and received a full tuition and housing scholarship. Lee completed his undergraduate studies in May 2016 got noticed by some real blues men. , Howlin' Wolf and Chess Records soon and received a Bachelor of Music in Performance. In became his friends and home. Although he never recorded much or got much airplay with his addition to his academic training in Boston, Lee was own material early on, he was called upon frequently mentored by world-renowned jazz educators Dave to be a session musician for many of the giants of Santoro, Terri Lyne Carrington, Ralph Peterson Jr., and blues music. John Clayton. Buddy later teamed up with harmonica player and As an artist, John Lee is known for his incredible fellow brother of the blues, , to cut proficiency as a multi-instrumentalist as well as his ability some records and tour with for some years. He has to connect audience to his music and live charisma. Lee played live gigs regularly for something like 60 has done an extensive amount of performing in cities located in North America including New York City (Dizzy’s years now and was always known to put on a loud Club Coca Cola, SOMETHIN’ Jazz Club), Boston (Wally’s and wild show. Many of the great guitarists that Jazz Café, The Beehive), Washington (Kennedy Center followed him referred to Buddy as a major Millennium Stage, Hamilton Live), Toronto (The Rex), influence. Clapton, Hendrix, Jimmie and Stevie Ray Vancouver (Cellar Jazz Club), and Victoria (Hermann's Vaughn and countless others tipped their hat his Jazz Club). Lee has performed numerous times as a way. sideman and leader at international jazz festivals including TD Prince Edward County Jazz Festival, DC Buddy messed around some, co-owning the Jazz Festival and TD Victoria and Vancouver International famous Checkerboard Lounge on the south side of Jazz Festival. Chicago in the 70’s before opening up his own John Lee has shared the stage with international jazz joint, “Buddy Guy’s Legends”, in ’89, in the artists such as Cyrus Chestnut, Larry Fuller, George downtown south loop district. Things are said to be Colligan, Seamus Blake, Terell Stafford, Ingrid Jensen as mighty happening there for the blues. His well as prominent Canadian jazz artists and educators autobiography, “When I Left Home” was an easy, Christine Jensen, Brad Turner, Jodi Proznick and Phil historical and amusing read. I know that I have seen Dwyer. Buddy live in Montreal and Vancouver some years back. Would be nice someday in his sweet home Chicago too. Catch the John Lee Trio @ MIXT Lounge at the Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel in Surrey on He will be appearing at Montreal’s 2019 Jazz Festival with Colin James this July. Friday March 22 from 6-10pm.

FP NEWSLETTER Vol. 38 www.fusionpresents.com Page 2 of 3 Mar 1, 2019 FP NEWSLETTER

FEATURED MUSIC & VIDEOS FUSIONpresents MUSIC SERVICES FUSIONpresents is proud to have offered the highest quality services in music entertainment, artist development and creative music services for over 16 years. We have entertained thousands of delighted guests, taught numerous aspiring artists, and collaborated with countless amazing people. We love what we do and are passionate to do more of it. Contact FUSIONpresents today.

ONE TAKE SESSION

JOHN LEE TRIO CLICK FOR MORE INFO CLICK FOR MORE INFO SOLOS to DUOs & BANDS & SING WITH THE BAND - DJS - perfect for any event Live Band Karaoke gets everybody involved!

CLICK FOR MORE INFO CLICK FOR MORE INFO THE ART OF TRIO JOHN LEE LESSONS in GUITAR, BASS, VOCAL & LIVE PIANO, DRUMS & MORE PERFORMANCE TRAINING

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JUST FOR FUN Song PROFESSIONAL DEMOS of HIGHHIGH && DRYDRY Recordings & Videos ORIGINAL SONGS ALITA DUPRAY & SAMI GHAWI

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There is a crack in everything, that's how the light ARTIST MENTORSHIP & DEVT MUSIC FOR LICENSING - gets in. Helping you reach your Use our songs on websites, dreams as an artist TV, radio & movies Act the way you'd like to be and soon you'll be the way you act. Contact FUSIONpresents

Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is for all your music needs: burning well, poetry is just the ash. 778-892-7625 or 604-800-0989 [email protected] Quotes by Leonard Cohen www.fusionpresents.com

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