Manitoba Music
Manitoba Music and WAG-Qaumajuq Celebrate Black History Month with Concert & Mixer
Kelly Bado, Tommyphyll, Zuki to Perform Free Event at WAG-Qaumajuq on February 9, Manitoba Music to Present Performance Coaching Opportunities for Black Music Makers
February is Black History Month, and to celebrate, Manitoba Music and WAG-Qaumajuq are sharing a night of music brought through BPM | Black Professionals in Music. The event is the latest in an ongoing partnership between WAG-Qaumajuq and BPM that launched with last year’s Black History Month Celebration.
Presented in partnership with Black History Manitoba, the special event will feature performances from three acclaimed Winnipeg-based artists, Kelly Bado, Tommyphyll, and DJ Zuki. The evening will be intimate and interactive, allowing the artists to express themselves through stripped-down, visceral performances that celebrate the African Diaspora.
With influences from her African heritage, la chanson française, and American gospel, Kelly Bado’s music is an intoxicating blend of Soul, World, and Pop. This Francophone and Global Artist of the Year (Western Canadian Music Awards - 2021) crosses cultural barriers to bring people together in joy and hope.
Born into the electric energy of Lagos and molded by the frigid winters of Winnipeg, Tommyphyll emerged. But the adventure didn't begin till the scorching summer of 2018 when things took off mysteriously. Tommyphyll’s sound Afrodiem, is an effortless fusion of Afrobeats, 80s synthpop, and classical music. A stunning example of his innovative musical vision.
With Zuki’s eclectic musical taste inspired by his travels, you're guaranteed to go on a musical journey and ultimately be left wondering how you ended up on the dance floor. A frequent collaborator with other artists in Winnipeg’s music scene and weekly residencies at Winnipeg’s go-to music venues, his playlists, mixes and remixes have racked up thousands of plays.
“It’s been exciting and rewarding to celebrate local Black music makers and take up space in this iconic gallery over the past year. A big thank you to WAG-Qaumajuq and Julia Lafreniere for welcoming us in and helping create this partnership, building more community connections and shining a light on these important emerging artists,” says artist and business owner Andrew Sannie, who has coordinated the BPM program since its launch in February 2021 to support Black music professionals across the province.
There'll be a mixer featuring delicious food courtesy of Pretty Baked throughout the night for Black music makers as well as local music companies, labels, venues, and festivals looking to make deeper connections with the Black music community in Manitoba. Meetups for artists and music entrepreneurs are core to BPM’s community-building focus, offering an opportunity to share ideas, professional needs and barriers, and make vital career connections.
Manitoba Music will also present a special professional development and performance coaching opportunity for Black music creators. Respected Montreal-based performance coach Olivier Laroche, who helps bands and singers bring their songs to life on stage with confidence, will share a free virtual masterclass in early February and in-person coaching sessions exclusively for a small group of active BPM program participants. More information will be available in coming weeks via manitobmusic.com.
Weaving in influences from her African heritage, la chanson française, and American gospel, Kelly Bado’s music crosses cultural barriers to bring people together in joy and hope. Her striking vocals and uplifting melodies were recognized with two awards at the WCMA in 2021: Francophone Artist of the Year and Global Artist of the year.
Through her lyrics inspired by love and people, Kelly is committed to promoting a world where we come together as citizens of our planet Earth, each bringing our unique strengths to life's common experience.
Kelly was honoured to perform along artists like Alessia Cara, Serena Ryder, Walk Off the Earth and to open for 5 times Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo. Sir Paul McCartney, after hearing Kelly’s performance on the show La Voix, exclaimed “WOW! What a fabulous, emotional and inspiring performance!
Tommyphyll is an independent artist from Lagos, Nigeria based in Winnipeg Manitoba. Tommyphyll’s sound AFRODIEM, is an effortless fusion of Afrobeats, 80s Synthpop and traditional orchestral arrangements. He has shared the stage with many notable artists, including L.A.X. and UK Afro swing group N.S.G., Ruger and others.
With several live shows and music festival appearances throughout his career, his live performances are nothing short of electrifying.
“it's simple, I’m here to make you feel something.”
That’s how Zuki describes his purpose as a DJ. With his eclectic musical taste inspired by his travels, you're guaranteed to go on a musical journey and ultimately be left wondering how you ended up on the dance floor. Growing up to his Mother’s 70’s funk essentials box set and his Dad’s Fela Kuti tapes playing in the household, his range of musical influence is wide.
Zuki can take the hypnotizing drums of South African house, saxophone samples from afrobeat hits and blend them effortlessly with your favourite rhythm, funk and hip-hop tunes.
From his humble beginnings almost a decade ago bringing the music to house parties, it didn't matter if it was a dance in Gwagwalada, or a backyard in Moscow, he’s been mixing genres and moving feet with just a couple of turntables. Since then he’s rocked numerous bars, stages and special events. A frequent collaborator with other artists in Winnipeg’s music scene and weekly residencies at Winnipeg’s go-to music venues, his playlists, mixes and remixes have racked up thousands of plays.
Andrew Sannie
Andrew Sannie is a Canadian creative and business owner, as well as a member of acclaimed Canadian hip hop group, The Lytics. Andrew is also a co-founder of Canadian-based experiential marketing and consultation company, Grape Experiential. In his personal time, Andrew works with several community groups and non-profits contributing to executive boards of several organizations across the country.
February (Black History Month) is the month in which we celebrate the achievements and contributions of Blacks in Canada and around the world.
In 1981 the Black History Month Celebration Committee was established to focus on the planning and implementation of the activities during Black History Month.
In 1990, the Committee’s role was expanded to include; programming to create an awareness of the history of Blacks in Manitoba and elsewhere; stimulating interest in the study of the contribution of persons of African ancestry to Manitoba, Canada and elsewhere; and celebrating the historical achievements of Black people in arts, education, government, sports, science, etc. in Manitoba and Canada.
Over the years, the Black History Month celebrations Committee (BHMCC) and other organizations have sponsored activities to promote, celebrate and share our culture and heritage. The highlight of the activities the BHMCC continues to be the Gospel Concert and the Awards Banquet and Closing Ceremony.
BHMCC has been relatively successful in our efforts to encourage schools and organizations in Winnipeg to organize activities during Black History Month. We in the BHMCC remain committed to ensuring that our Black heritage, achievements and contributions to society is celebrated.
BPM | Black Professionals in Music
Launched in February 2021 and facilitated by Andrew Sannie, BPM | Black Professionals in Music is a program via Manitoba Music that supports Black music professionals in Manitoba. BPM presents quarterly mixers for participants to meet and build their community and networks, followed by live performances. Participants can bring ideas, share their professional needs and barriers, and influence the future direction of the program. To get involved, please email bpm@manitobamusic.com. Participants must be residents of Manitoba and identify as a Black musicians or music industry professional.
WAG-Qaumajuq has grown into one of the country’s leading visual art museums with an international reputation! Founded in 1912, the WAG is one of Canada’s first civic art galleries, housed in an iconic modernist building in the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Opened in 2021, Qaumajuq is a contemporary architectural landmark that connects to the WAG building on all four levels.