Robert Paquette Special Guest at Haiti Benefit Concert on January 29th

Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter Robert Paquette will headline the Haiti benefit concert along with Philip May and the Sudbury Saturday Night Orchestra, Jeff Wiseman and Stéphane Paquette on Friday, January 29, 2010 at 8 pm at the Laurentian University Fraser Auditorium.

Senator Marie-P. Poulin will now join Gerry Lougheed Jr. as master of ceremonies for the event. All proceeds will go towards earthquake disaster relief efforts, which are currently underway.

A local charitable organization, Books for Reading/Mission of TEARS, is presenting the concert in partnership with Rainbow District School Board, Laurentian University, CTV Sudbury, CJTK Radio and Cambrian Ford.

Tickets, at $20 for adults and $10 for children under 12, are now on sale at Durham Natural Foods, Octave Music, Prom Music, Guitar Clinic, Black Cat and KFM Sudbury.

“We are delighted that Robert Paquette is lending his voice to our community benefit for Haiti,” says Guy Campeau, regional director with Mission of TEARS and a teacher with Rainbow Schools.  “Robert Paquette is an exceptional performer with an incredible following here at home and abroad.” He added: “We invite everyone in the community to come out and show their support. Together, we can make a big difference in a time of great need.”

Robert Paquette

http://www.robertpaquette.ca/news.php

Robert Paquette studied French literature at Laurentian University. While composing songs, he played in an Ontario rock group, Marketville Riot. In the early 1970s, before leaving for Europe, he wrote five songs for Moé, j’viens du Nord, Stie, staged by the student theatre company of Laurentian University.

Back in Canada, he toured Québec with the Théâtre populaire du Québec. In 1974, following the release of his first album (Dépêche-toi soleil), he took part in the Superfrancofête in Québec City. Subsequently, he gave concerts at the National Arts Centre, the Mariposa Folk Festival and the Congrès international de la francophonie in Brussels, in addition to making several tours of Québec and the United-States.

In 1978, he represented Canada at the Spa Festival, Belgium, and he participated in the Printemps de Bourges, France, in 1982. Two years later, he toured 40 European cities with Gare à vous. In 1988, he composed the stage music for the play Le Chien presented in Montreal by the Théâtre du Nouvel-Ontario.

Philip May

This is the third annual benefit concert that musical director Philip May has arranged for Mission of TEARS and this marks the first time that he has headlined such an event. 

Philip May has been playing drums professionally since the age of 14.  During that time, he has played in scores of bands and has appeared on countless records and CDs.  In addition, he has recorded for internationally syndicated radio and television programs.  His live shows have included performances with such great musicians as Jeff Healey, Holly Cole, Ed Bickert, Reg Schwager, Richard Underhill, Robert Paquette, Paul Quarrington, Hilario Duran, and, most recently, with Patricia Cano. On the local front, he is the co-founder and leader of The Smokin’ Jackets and Broche a Foin.

He has studied music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston and at York University, where he was a member of the Oscar Peterson Workshop.

The Sudbury Saturday Night Orchestra represents a departure from his usual jazz roots and a venture into the brave new world of funk and R and B. The players in the band are all teachers with the Rainbow District School Board whose talent is certainly deserving of wider recognition.

In addition to this project, May is Dream Cymbals most recent endorser and is proud to announce that he has recently signed a recording contract with Romhog Records of Toronto. His first album as leader is scheduled to be released later in 2010.

Jeff Wiseman

Jeff Wiseman graduated from the University of Toronto’s Operatic Performance Program with an honours degree. He released his first CD, First Time Out, in 1995.

After touring throughout Canada and Scotland, he settled into raising his family in Sudbury. In 2007, he began touring again, playing to appreciative audiences throughout Ontario.

In addition to his arresting voice, he is skilled on piano and guitar. Jeff is self-employed giving private voice lessons at Laurentian University and Marymount College. He also directs the Sudbury Chambers Singers Choir and the Sudbury Firefighters Choir.

He released his second CD, Silver Eyes, in Sudbury to a full house in October of 2008.  His flexible work schedule allows him the opportunity to tour.

Stéphane Paquette

Stéphane Paquette is a francophone singer/songwriter who is living his dream to perform original music in French.

He has been able to pursue his career without moving to Quebec, and is a role model for all young Franco Ontarians.

A Chelmsford native, he lives in Hanmer with his wife and three children.

Stéphane has won numerous awards for his music. He is his own manager, booker and accountant and has toured Ontario, Quebec, and the Middle East.

Mission of TEARS is a registered Federal Charity in operation since early 90’s based in Toronto with a regional office in Sudbury. “Our motto is nothing started without hope, nothing finished without faith, nothing accomplished without love,” said Campeau. “Our motto is reflected in our name. TEARS stands for Teaching, Educating, Advocating, Resourcing and Serving.”

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Media Contacts:

Guy Campeau can be reached at 507-5171

Nicole Charette, Senior Advisor,
Corporate Communications and Strategic Planning,
Rainbow District School Board, 674-3171, ext. 7217.