This month the Rafflebox 50/50 raffle will partner with the Nova Scotia Honour Jazz “Funk Unit”. 
NSHJ FUNK UNIT is a new and exciting extension program of Nova Scotia Honour Jazz committed to enriching young musicians in Jazz-Rock, Fusion, Soul, Funk, and R&B Music. This honour jazz ensemble for instrumentalists provides a unique opportunity for excellent young musicians from across Nova Scotia to pursue their interest in these genres. This program will be run by two of Nova Scotia’s finest musicians and educators: David Burton and Ken MacKay.
Garnering inspiration and guidance from the music of Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Snarky Puppy, Brecker Brothers, Average White Band, and many more, students learn the musical elements that made these bands successful and are used to help them grow as musicians. Through workshops, performances, and jam sessions, this program covers the importance of grooves, interplay, dynamics, improvisation, and other aspects
that make performing as a group such a satisfying experience.
The NSHJ FUNK UNIT enhances awareness and knowledge of this modern era of jazz while reinforcing fundamentals, pushing musical abilities, and improving overall skill levels in a collaborative environment. This program is available to youth ages 13-20. Students who can sing or play guitar, bass, keyboard, violin, drum set, brass, woodwinds, and percussion are welcome.
Los Primos is a not-for-profit organization. Our mission... to inspire, support, and promote live music, music education, and social awareness, in Nova Scotia and in Cuba, through cultural exchange and intergenerational learning. Music and music education in Nova Scotia have benefited greatly from our work. During these two decades, we have helped music programs to raise more than $600,000 for their music projects and supplied instruments to many local students in need. Clinics, workshops, and performances with Canadian and Cuban students and professionals, playing together... provide learning experiences that last a lifetime!
David Burton
has a vast array of recording projects to his credit as composer, producer, musical director and studio musician. He is featured on countless profile endeavours covering a full spectrum of live events and studio recordings. His talent and musicianship have granted him priority status with CBC, not only as a drummer, but also as a musical director and arranger. David excels at versatility – performing all styles of music from jazz to Latin to classical with impeccable timing and intuitive creativity. His career has taken him around the world, backing Canadian artists like Rita MacNeil, Natalie MacMaster, Alannah Myles, David Myles, MeashaBruggergosman and Ian Thomas, to name a few. He has also had the pleasure of performing live with artists like Tony Bennett, Sara Vaughan and, the great, Ella Fitzgerald. David is well established in the jazz world and has showcased his talents at festivals in Montreal, Havana, Portugal, and at home in Halifax, Nova Scotia. David is a well-respected educator who inspires young musicians as a teacher and clinician throughout Nova Scotia, as well as in Havana, Cuba, as part of the “Los Primos” Project. He was nominated Educator of the Year by MIANS in 2005.
Ken MacKay
A native of Truro NS, Ken first started teaching in the Public School system in 1976 and has been active as an Educator, Clinician, Adjudicator and Soloist throughout his career. Ken’s list of his professional credits is impressive. Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Lionel Ritchie, Regis Philbin, Natalie Cole, jazz great Ernie Watts, Mary Wilson (The Supremes),Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd, daughter of the blues Shirley King, blues guitarist Robben Ford, Rosemary Clooney and the Temptations are just a few of the artists Ken has shared the stage with. Locally he performs and has recorded with Scott n’ the Rocks, The Swell Guys, The Back Alley Big Band, Asia NuGruv, Terry Hatty and The Aviators. Ken has performed with Neptune Theatre in the productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, White Christmas, The Producers and Cats. Ken's ability to play a variety of musical styles has established him as one of the most exciting and sought after sax players in Eastern Canada.
Don’t forget to visit the Los Primos 50/50 Raffle to buy your tickets and you can learn more about the NSHJ Funk Unit by watching this video.
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