Subject: Brownman choosen Toronto’s 2005 BEST JAZZ ARTIST by NOW magazine Date: Mon, 31 Oct 2005 18:58:15 -0500 From: The BROWNMAN Organization: Brownman Music Inc. -- http://www.brownman.com To: Sebastian Cook FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Toronto All Media inquiries: Sebastian Cook: seb@brownman.com / 647-438-6085 Brownman choosen Toronto’s 2005 BEST JAZZ ARTIST in NOW Magazine’s “Best of Toronto” Awards The people, not the purists, have spoken. The editors of NOW Magazine, Toronto’s favourite and most comprehensive source for information on the music that makes the city tick, have chosen Trinidadian-Canadian, NYC-schooled trumpet icon Nick “Brownman” Ali as Best Jazz Artist in the 2005 “Best of Toronto” Awards. NOW MAGAZINE writes (Oct 27,2005): BEST JAZZ ARTIST: Nick “Brownman” Ali Nick "Brownman" Ali is a renegade, a tireless trumpeter whose outspokenness on his genre's scene - to the dismay of those he's pissed off - has only increased his profile as one of the city's most intrepid jazz figures. Of course, the Toronto-based Trinidadian would be nowhere without his tireless, multi-faceted approach (Ali leads six bands), broad cultural span and innovative sensibility. While snobby jazz purists may turn up their noses, Ali continues to embody the music's true spirit. “Yeah I’m knocked out! To be recognized with this distinction means a huge amount to me given how many monstrously talented, visionary, gifted jazz musicians this city encapsulates,” says Ali. “That's a huge compliment to me knowing that this thing I do is resonating with the people at NOW, an alternative thinking institute here in the city. And every night out, it’s so gratifying to connect with new music fans who dig both original music, like what I do with CRUZAO – yet still embrace it when I’m paying homage to the legends like with FIVE WEEKS FOR MILES.” When asked about NOW’s reference to him as a “renegade” Ali states, “I don’t know if that’s quite the word for me, but I definitely do like to try and challenge people’s own perceptions of musical convention. And I think it shows that Toronto’s perceptions of jazz are being influenced really positively by the deeply creative diversity you find here in the city. That’s a great sign for the future of the art here in Canada and inspiring in terms of new possibilities as I walk this very long path in front of me.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2005 HIGHLIGHTS - a testament to the tirelessness and versatility so appreciated by Toronto jazz lovers : ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The annually anticipated Distillery Jazz Festival feature with his CRUZAO GRUPO MONSTRUSO, the 15-man Latin-jazz-urban orchestra in which he led the country’s finest jazz and Latin musicians and most conscious freestyle MCs in a stunning doubleheader. September’s monumental second edition of his FIVE WEEKS FOR MILES series at Trane Studios, at which 5 Brownman-led all-star quintets and guests brilliantly encapsulated Davis’ career through the 5 eras the legend catalyzed; described by many as a creative landmark in Canadian jazz history. Sharing the stage at The Montreal Reggae Festival with reggae legend Brinsley Forde of ASWAD, as a featured soloist with Juno-nominated Jason Wilson & TABARRUK. The ALI BROS Canada Day Toronto Jazz Festival feature presentation at the Lula Lounge whose depth of musicality and infectious groove was called “the making of a myth” in one reviewers lengthy article (see article). In December, he will again answer the call of the legendary Chucho Valdes and represent Canada at the 2005 Havana Jazz Festival; his group CRUZAO HAVANA will feature himself and younger sibling Marcus Ali with an all-Cuban rhythm section comprised of members of Grammy-winning ensemble IRAKERE. Following the Havana festival, he will be touring throughout Cuba, Belize, Mexico, Honduras and Argentina – and enriching his vision of how to expand Latin idioms in even more directions unique in the Canadian Latin-jazz community. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ “How do I thank a whole city? Well, I guess I just keep doing what I’m doing with best musicians in the country -- guys with whom I absolutely need to share this credit with because they bring fire and passion to the stage every night whether there are 4 people in the room or 4000,” he added. “That’s the best thank you I can think of”. The 2005 Best Jazz Artist Award is the latest in a long list of accolades from the forefront of Canadian jazz innovation. For information about his previous honours, all 6 of the ensembles he tirelessly leads, dozens more he musically directs, upcoming shows, audio & video samples and much much more, please visit BROWNMAN.COM NEWS: Brownman has been asked to represent Canada at the Havana Jazz Festival this Dec. A fundraiser to generate funds for the excessive travel and production costs is being held on Sun Nov 20 @ Toronto's Lula Lounge. Please come out and support one of Canada's finest. more info... CRUZAO : the award-winning latin-jazz-urban outfit cruzao.brownman.com CRUZAO GRUPO MONSTRUOSO : the 15-man version of Cruzao monster.brownman.com GRUVASYLUM : Brown’s acclaimed jazz-hip-hip crew gruvasylum.brownman.com MARRON MATIZADO : the powerhouse 10-man Salsa band matizado.brownman.com NICK ALI TRIO/QUARTET : edgy NYC style modern jazz naq.brownman.com ELECTRYC TRIO : electric Miles Davis influenced trio electryctrio.brownman.com ALI BROS : inspired by the Brecker Bros, Brown and his bro team up alibros.brownman.com CHIVA : Ruben Esguerra's Colombian latin-jazz project chiva.brownman.com TRINIDAD BACCHANAL ALL-STARS : a taste of Trinidad in Toronto bacchanal.brownman.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ All Media inquiries: Sebastian Cook: seb@brownman.com / 647-438-6085