Moonfruits, the 2017 Gil’s Hootenanny headliners, were featured in a St. Valentine’s Day article in MetroNews.
Featured Artists
Sharon Hampson’s Musical Roots: Historic Camp Naivelt
Sharon and Bram Headline 2016 Gil’s Hootenanny
It’s not often that a summer camp is recognized for its cultural and heritage value, but such is the case for Camp Naivelt, which was given a heritage designation in 2010 by Brampton (Ontario) City Council under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The list of alumni from, and visitors to, the camp is impressive, and includes a number of influential Canadian singer-songwriters and musical impresarios. In fact, a July 1960 CBC recording from a summer concert at Camp Naivelt features a young Sharon Trostin (later Hampson) as well as a teenage Zal Yanovsky. As the Brampton Heritage Board noted, “Camp Naivelt’s most significant historical value is its rich and direct associations with Canada’s musical and artistic heritage.”
In reflecting on Camp Naivelt and its influence on her musical career, Sharon says: “At Naivelt, I learned that singing brings people together in a way that I can only describe as sublime. The Camp also inspired me to create music that appealed to people of all ages.”
The Brampton Heritage Board’s report citing the reasons for Camp Naivelt’s heritage designation can be found here.
Bram Morrison’s Musical Roots: Mariposa and Mills
Sharon and Bram Headline 2016 Gil’s Hootenanny
Bram Morrison honed his performance skills in folk clubs and folk festivals in the 1960s. One of his earliest influences was Canadian folk music legend Alan Mills, for whom Bram started as an apprentice and, over time, became an accompanist and partner. Bram performed with Mills at the Mariposa Folk Festival in 1965. He also performed solo at the Festival until 1978, when the legendary trio, Sharon, Lois and Bram, was formed.
Bram contributed an article about Mills to the Mariposa program in 1978 entitled “Alan Mills – Apprentice to Master, Friend to Friend”, which was subsequently reprinted in the Canadian Folk Music academic journal in 1996.
Bram last performed at Mariposa in 2015, not only debuting his solo album, “We’ll Pass Them On”, but also paying tribute to Mills, who was inducted into the festival’s Hall of Fame that year. Among Bram’s set list was Mill’s signature song, “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly”.
A link to Bram’s article on Alan Mills, which can be accessed through your public library, can be found here.
Sharon & Bram – Singing “to our Heart’s Content”
Musicians strive to create and present music that makes a meaningful connection with their audiences. For Sharon Hampson and Bram Morrison, forging that linkage comes naturally. Their exuberant delivery, combined with an eclectic mix of participatory music, brings a timeless quality to their performances.
Sharon, Lois & Bram‘s repertoire was diverse from the outset, comprising folk songs, schoolyard chants, camp songs, singing games, rounds and nonsense rhymes, all performed variously in jazz, calypso, rock ‘n’ roll, country and folk styles. Sharon & Bram continue that tradition to this day.
As Bram explains, “Our concerts are designed to share the experience of making music with our audiences.” Sharon adds: “The sounds of families singing together brings us deep satisfaction, as we all “sing to ‘to our hearts’ content’.”
Mighty Popo brings his Juno-winning talents to Gil’s Hootenanny
Mighty Popo (Jacques Murigande) grew up in Burundi hearing contemporary and traditional musicians from East and Central Africa on the street, in clubs and in people’s homes, while radio and recordings played music from the whole African continent and beyond. Since moving to Canada, Popo has performed and recorded many types of music, including blues, reggae, R&B and many African styles. He won a Juno Award in 2004 as a member of the African Guitar Summit. Popo uses the power of music and dance to engage youth and animate communities. Website: www.borealisrecords.com/artists/mighty-popo
Gil’s Hootenanny is hosted by Spirit of Rasputin’s and will take place on May 1st at the Glebe Community Centre (175 Third Avenue in Ottawa). Doors open at 7:00 and we’ll be singing by 7:30. Tickets are available at the Ottawa Folklore Centre or online, via Spirit of Rasputin’s.
Juno-nominated singer-songwriter Maria Dunn to join Gil’s Hootenanny
“There’s nothing quite so powerful (and fun) as a group of people singing together, especially when those songs express love, joy, empathy and a strong desire to make the world a better, more compassionate, more just, place. I’m greatly looking forward to singing at Gil’s Hootenanny!”
-Maria Dunn
Maria Dunn is a Juno-nominated, Edmonton-based singer-songwriter who tells the stories of working people in song. A true preserver of the spirit of folk music, Maria is often compared to Woody Guthrie for her keen social awareness and her unvarnished songs about the lives of working men and women. Maria has released five CDs: “Piece By Piece” (2012), “The Peddler” (2009), “We Were Good People” (2004), “For A Song” (2002) and “From Where I Stand” (1998). Website: www.mariadunn.com
Gil’s Hootenanny is hosted by Spirit of Rasputin’s and will take place on May 1st at the Glebe Community Centre (175 Third Avenue in Ottawa). Doors open at 7:00 and we’ll be singing by 7:30. Tickets are available at the Ottawa Folklore Centre or online, via Spirit of Rasputin’s.
Terry Tufts brings wit and song to Gil’s Hootenanny this May Day in Ottawa
“This type of event
Will allow you to vent:
And get stuff on your mind off yer chest.
And sing out with glee
Off colour, off key
To all that is getting you pissed!”
– Terry Tufts, 2013
We are very pleased to feature Terry Tufts as one of the wonderful artists joining us for Gil’s Hootenanny. Terry is a superb guitarist, songwriter and singer who has toured extensively and has six albums to his credit. He has also worked as an accompanist for a wide range of artists, including Tom Paxton, David Francey, Colleen Peterson, Laura Smith, Wayne Rostad, Susan Aglukark and George Fox. The only two-time winner of the Ontario Council of Folk Festival’s “Songs from the Heart” competition, Terry is widely admired for his musical virtuosity and his commitment to social justice. Website: www.terrytufts.com
Gil’s Hootenanny is hosted by Spirit of Rasputin’s and will take place on May 1st at the Glebe Community Centre (175 Third Avenue in Ottawa). Doors open at 7:00 and we’ll be singing by 7:30. Tickets are available at the Ottawa Folklore Centre or online, via Spirit of Rasputin’s.