News:
I’m really excited to be participating in two of my favourite events of the year: Music(in)Galleries and Poor Pilgram Island Show. Both are my favourite as they are both a great opportunity to see a wide cross-section of musicians doing wonderful things. More road trips are planned in the near future, yet another one of my favourite things to do during the summer.
June/10 - Dusting off the chops
After taking what felt like a really long break from playing, I’m now ready to hit the ground rolling for the summer. A healthy mix of playing, composing, practicing, and just plain living lie ahead for the next two months. I am honoured to be sharing the stage with Dutch drummer, Han Bennink as a member of Brodie West’s Legends of Jazz Piano.
Feb./10 - The Road Ahead...
I find myself realizing how lucky I am to be making music of all sorts with such amazing people. There are some really, really special performances coming up in March. I hope you’ll be able to make it out to some or all of them. In the meantime, my good friend and equally amazing musician, Parmela Attariwala, is releasing her third album as a leader this week. Included on the record a piece I wrote for her and tabla player, Shawn Mativetsky. Click here for more details.
Jan./10 - New Year, New Projects
Happy New Year! Best wishes to you and yours for a prosperous 2010! The year is getting off to a busy start: recording sessions, composing, teaching, and, as always, performing. I am deeply honoured to be sharing the stage with pianist Eve Egoyan, along with Joe Sorbara, Tilman Lewis, Nilan Perera and Rhonda Rindone, for a two month residency at Somewhere There. See Events for more details.
Nov./09 - Bring on the Work
After three+ months of solid performing in various groups, I’m now shifting my focus to composing for the next month, primarily for the Shaw/Rampersaud Project (better name coming soon), but also for some groups I’m planning to start up in the new year. I’ll still be performing around town, most notably at the 416 festival and at Holy Oak Café opening, and even lending a hand at CIUT’s fundraising campaign during the first week of November (events for more info). I’m looking forward to spending some time working through my own projects and can’t wait to share them with you all. Thanks as always for visiting!
Aug./09 - Long time...
Wow! How time flies! I can’t believe it’s been more than three months since I last posted an update here. So much has happened. For starters, I’m thrilled to share with you all a group that I co-lead with Alto Saxophonist Evan Shaw received a grant from the Canada Council to record an album. It will be released on the Barnyard Records label in the new year. Stay tuned for performances of the group as we prepare to record. In other recording news, I am currently in the midst of recording a solo trumpet album. It will feature the bulk of the material that I performed during my recent solo trumpet residency.
Apr./09 - Chuggin’ Along
Still going non-stop! This has been quite the epic past few months! I feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to be playing in so many different contexts! My solo trumpet residency at Somewhere There is in full swing, and I couldn’t be happier to have the chance to play some brand new pieces I’ve written. I’ve also received news that a recording that I was part of with Percussionist Rakalam Bob Moses has just been released on Sunnyside Records!
Mar./09 - Coming Together...
It has been non-stop for the bulk of this month, and will continue to be that way until the end of April. Things are really coming together quite nicely. The piece I wrote for the Attar Project (featuring violinist Parmela Attariwala and tabla player Shawn Mativesky) will have its world premiere on Mar. 28th at the Music Gallery in Toronto (www.musicgallery.org for more details). I’ve also been writing many pieces for solo trumpet, in preparation for my upcoming residency at Somewhere There in April (see events for more details). I’m really excited to have the opportunity to try out these pieces over the next two months, and to have the chance to play some duo sets with some pretty amazing musicians!
Feb./09 - No Rest for the Wicked
February has proven to be a very, very busy month. I had the great fortune to play with British Saxophonist Evan Parker, which was a great thrill! I also had a great show with Akanak (aka. Kanaka) - there are some fine musicians in this band, and great music to go along with it. I hope I get to play with them soon. March poised to be just as eventful as this month, so be sure to check out the events page. I hope to see you at a show or two! Thanks for stopping by!
Jan./09 pt. 2 - Announcements...
I’m beyond thrilled and honoured to share with you all that I’m now (officially) the newest board member of the Association of Improvising Musicians, Toronto (AIMToronto)! I’ve also received my very first composing commission from my good friend, and amazing violinist/violist Parmela Attariwala. For more information on AIMToronto, click here. For more information on Parmela, click here.
nicolerampersaud.com
Nicole Rampersaud
Jazz Trumpeter | Composer | Educator
