Music

Opera tenor Isaiah Bell. Lia Crowe photography

In Studio with tenor Isaiah Bell

Solo opera comes to British Columbia

  • Jan 22, 2021

 

FILE - In this March 19, 2007 file photo, music producer Phil Spector and his attorney, Roger Rosen, right, leave Los Angeles Superior Court for a break during the start of jury selection in Spectors’ murder trial. Spector, the eccentric and revolutionary music producer who transformed rock music with his “Wall of Sound” method and who was later convicted of murder, died Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, at age 81. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

Phil Spector, famed music producer and murderer, dies at 81

Spector was convicted of murdering actress Lana Clarkson in 2003

 

Victoria music duo Kristina Helene and husband Thomas Kinzel released their first Christmas single on Dec. 3 called Somehow. (Courtesy of Kristina Helene)

Victoria artists dedicate new single to those missed this Christmas

Somehow was written by husband-wife duo Kristina Helene and Thomas Kinzel

 

McKenzie Elementary’s junior choir was excited to find out that they’d won first place in their category – $3,000 worth of instruments and a plaque – in the 2020 CBC Music Class Challenge with their medley performance. (Photos by Matt Schmitz)

VIDEO: Saanich students nab big prizes in CBC’s 2020 Canadian Music Class Challenge

McKenzie Elementary junior choir, Fraser Campbell Music School earn first place in their categories

McKenzie Elementary’s junior choir was excited to find out that they’d won first place in their category – $3,000 worth of instruments and a plaque – in the 2020 CBC Music Class Challenge with their medley performance. (Photos by Matt Schmitz)
To thank the community for supporting them through a difficult year, the Canadian College of Performing Arts released a holiday music video Dec. 17. (Screenshot)

Victoria performing arts college releases holiday music video

Canadian College of Performing Arts takes theatre online amid pandemic

To thank the community for supporting them through a difficult year, the Canadian College of Performing Arts released a holiday music video Dec. 17. (Screenshot)
A live performance from KISS is available to live stream for fans through the Abbotsford Centre.

KISS-ing 2020 away with the Abbotsford Centre

New Year’s Eve stream from hall of fame rockers offered by Abbotsford Centre

A live performance from KISS is available to live stream for fans through the Abbotsford Centre.
In a whirlwind of a year, Sarah Shaw and her husband met, married, moved to Victoria and bought a sailboat that they plan to move onto in April. (Courtesy of Sarah Shaw)

Greater Victoria residents share positive pandemic experiences

Silver linings come from challenges of COVID-19

In a whirlwind of a year, Sarah Shaw and her husband met, married, moved to Victoria and bought a sailboat that they plan to move onto in April. (Courtesy of Sarah Shaw)
Sooke musician Katrica Kadoski is releasing After the Shipwreck, an album in honour of her former partner who tragically died from a sudden heart attack in 2018. (Cathryn E. Tremain photo)

Sooke musician releases album for former partner who tragically died from heart attack

“This album has been Buckley’s cough syrup for my soul,” says singer-songwriter

Sooke musician Katrica Kadoski is releasing After the Shipwreck, an album in honour of her former partner who tragically died from a sudden heart attack in 2018. (Cathryn E. Tremain photo)
Malakai sings James Taylor’s “Steamroller Blues” in a performance at the Duncan Showroom that caught the attention of the legendary songwriter himself. (Screenshot)

VIDEO: Young B.C. singer catches the eyes and ears of James Taylor

Legendary singer-songwriter posts two videos of 11-year-old Malakai to Instagram

Malakai sings James Taylor’s “Steamroller Blues” in a performance at the Duncan Showroom that caught the attention of the legendary songwriter himself. (Screenshot)
Tom Jackson and bassist Kirby Barber in a trailer for "The Huron Carole," from video posted to youtube.com.

Tom Jackson’s ‘Huron Carole’ concert goes virtual to feed hungry Canadians

Victoria broadcast date is Friday, Dec. 8, to benefit Mustard Seed Food Bank

Tom Jackson and bassist Kirby Barber in a trailer for "The Huron Carole," from video posted to youtube.com.
Several Juno award statues sit in the photo room before the awards show, in Ottawa, Sunday, April 2, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Juno Awards move Toronto show date to May 16, 2021 amid COVID-19 pandemic

Whether any of the Juno events can be held indoors is yet to be determined

Several Juno award statues sit in the photo room before the awards show, in Ottawa, Sunday, April 2, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
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’90s rock band resurfaces with songs never properly recorded or released

Underwater Sunshine’s online reunion involves four guys who lost contact for years

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Port McNeill councillor Derek Koel busts a rap to help promote the town’s active transportation plan. (Facebook video screenshot)

VIDEO: Vancouver Island councillor makes rap video to promote active transportation plan

Active transportation is a personal matter for councillor Derek Koel.

Port McNeill councillor Derek Koel busts a rap to help promote the town’s active transportation plan. (Facebook video screenshot)
In this screen shot provided by ABC on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, Taylor Swift accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (ABC via AP)

Taylor Swift wins top prize at AMAs, says she’s re-recording music

Swift beat out Bieber, Post Malone and Roddy Ricch to win the top award

In this screen shot provided by ABC on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, Taylor Swift accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (ABC via AP)
Tomo Vranjes, a Greater Victoria musician and longtime fan of late rock guitar icon Eddie Van Halen, joins artist Paul Archer behind the latter’s Fort Street gallery. Archer, whose airbrushed paintings of rock greats have made him many connections in recent years, painted a likeness of Van Halen following the guitarist’s death last month from cancer. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Victoria artist’s king-sized tribute to Eddie Van Halen draws on personal connection

Paul Archer had an up close and personal day with the legendary guitarist in 1980

Tomo Vranjes, a Greater Victoria musician and longtime fan of late rock guitar icon Eddie Van Halen, joins artist Paul Archer behind the latter’s Fort Street gallery. Archer, whose airbrushed paintings of rock greats have made him many connections in recent years, painted a likeness of Van Halen following the guitarist’s death last month from cancer. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra presents its second online streaming concert on Nov. 1. (Niek Verlaan - Pixabay)

All together now: Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra to launch second virtual concert

Online performance set for Nov. 1

The Sooke Philharmonic Orchestra presents its second online streaming concert on Nov. 1. (Niek Verlaan - Pixabay)
FILE - This Jan. 17, 1993 file photo shows the band Van Halen, from left, Michael Anthony, bass guitar, Sammy Hagar, lead singer, Alex Van Halen, drums, and Eddie Van Halen, lead guitar in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

Guitarist Eddie Van Halen dead at age 65 after long battle with cancer

Rocker had formed Van Halen in the 1970s with his brother

FILE - This Jan. 17, 1993 file photo shows the band Van Halen, from left, Michael Anthony, bass guitar, Sammy Hagar, lead singer, Alex Van Halen, drums, and Eddie Van Halen, lead guitar in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
Screen capture from the latest Berwick Qualicum Beach music video, ‘BQB On The Catwalk’, created in celebration of National Seniors Day on Oct. 1. (Submitted)

VIDEO: B.C. seniors strut their stuff in campy music video

National Seniors Day celebrated with takeoff on 1991 hit from Right Said Fred

Screen capture from the latest Berwick Qualicum Beach music video, ‘BQB On The Catwalk’, created in celebration of National Seniors Day on Oct. 1. (Submitted)
Elise Estrada in video posted to YouTube.

Reincarnation, baby! Music-making B.C. couple celebrate ‘miracle’ pregnancy

‘I (said) to Adam, ‘I really think this is your brother reincarnated,’ Elise Estrada says

Elise Estrada in video posted to YouTube.
The four Trybe app founders outside Chad Kroeger’s jet on a trip to Silicon Valley. From left, Bill Swinimer, Felipe Freig, Chad Kroeger and Dan Swinimer. (Submitted photo)

B.C.-born Trybe social media app’s award system connects with Nickelback singer

Rock stars, jet planes, scooter tricks and the creation of a new platform ready for launch

The four Trybe app founders outside Chad Kroeger’s jet on a trip to Silicon Valley. From left, Bill Swinimer, Felipe Freig, Chad Kroeger and Dan Swinimer. (Submitted photo)