Artist Ashley Barnes: Black Diamonds

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Among the many Black History events this month, visual artist Ashley Mckenzie Barnes  presented her newest collection Black Diamonds  2012. The collection is currently on display at the intimate and cosy Nawlin’s Jazz Bar & Dinner Lounge located at 299 King Street West.  A commemoration of  7 influential woman performers in Black Entertainment history, the original (mixed media and acrylic) pieces pay tribute to entertainment icons: Dorothy Dandridge, Lena Horne, the late Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Diane Ross and Billie Holiday.

Check out some of the pieces on display (below).

Stop by before Feb 29th to view some of entertainments iconic “Black Diamonds”.

Black Diamonds 2012.

Better Mus Come

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Sometimes words aren’t enough. Here’s the trailer to the Storm Saulter directed movie, Better Mus Come.

Thrilling!

1loveto x Done Different x ISAX

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Just before the holidays, I took in the soulful sounds of saxophonist and musician ISAX, courtesy of 1loveto’s Done Different event. The 4th and last installment of the series for the year took place at the upscale Thompson Hotel.  ISAX known too many as ISAX InJah, was a great compliment to a mature evening out.

His musical journey began in his teenage years with Canadian legends Lighthouse and Downchild Blues Band.Subsequently drawn to the deep grooves of Toronto’s Jamaican reggae scene, his playing flourished in a very open musical enviroment. Isax’s musical abilities were welcomed in the Rastafarian community and the following years led to performances and studio work with all of the great Jamaican musicians that passed through Toronto,including Jackie Mitoo,Dennis Brown,King Jammy,Ken Boothe,Morgan Heritage,Dean Fraser,The Abyssinians,Etana,Queen Ifrica and Sly and Robbie to name a few. Isax has lent his signature sound to recordings by Gregory Isaacs, Alton Ellis and Ken Boothe as well horn section work for many Canadian reggae artists.Outside of the reggae world Isax has toured and recorded with Nelson Riddle, Bass Is Base,Esthero,Glen Lewis,Ivana Santilli,Blue Rodeo,NOJO Jazz Orchestra,Kollage,Eddie Bullen and others.

Check out the video here

Nowness The Expression Of A Brand

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This thing we call “technology”, is amazing. Blend it with various artistic elements and it’s a beautiful thing. NOWNESS, a collective of luxury brands (LVMH Moet, Hennessy) collaborates with some of the world’s top designers and creative thinkers in the luxury brand industry. Daily, NOWNESS presents an exclusive premiere video to influence various cultures in fashion, art, film, music, design, travel and sport. It’s their high-end way of story-telling.

Janie Taylor for Chloe: The Prima Ballerina Models the Fashion House’s Ethereal Collection

And my personal favourite…25yrs of Def Jam.

More pictures here

Mayer Hawthorne

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I’ve been hearing a lot about artist Mayer Hawthorne. A few people have mentioned him to me and me likey, likey. I’ll be honest, when I first heard his music, I assumed I was listening to something from the Miles Davis, Isaac Hayes era. Who knew this kid (well actually he’s 29), lived in the suburbs of Michigan, and recorded several of current tracks a year ago. Hawthorne is making a buzz in the industry by making the old, new again.

He says he owe’s his retro-musical style to the likes of some of his favourite artist: Smokey Robinson and Barry White. Hawthorne’s retro-quirky, clean-cut image mixed with his subtly use of vulgarities on tracks like “Walk” will definately take a few fans by surprise.  Who said a 70’s sound can’t be great with a swear word or two?  Guess I’m not surprised…he respects and works with the likes of Snoop Dog on the “How Do You Do” album. Enough, said.

Mayer Hawthorne…is a new type of soul.

photo courtesy: mtv.com