Liz
Rivard's Recap of The National Jazz Awards
 February
26, 2004 - It was a cloudy, chilly night in Toronto for the National Jazz Awards
but the stars shone through, brighter than ever. The 2004 National Jazz Awards,
held at the Winter Garden Theatre last night featured performances by some of
Canada's best, and most loved jazz artists, like Holly
Cole, Peter Appleyard, Lorraine Desmarais and Warren
Hill, to name a few. The night
also featured the introduction of the Smooth Jazz Musician of the Year, sponsored
by the Wave 94.7 fm. Nominees were
Eddie Bullen, Warren
Hill, Brian Hughes, Demo
Cates and Nura. Click
here to see the pictures from the National Smooth Jazz Awards.
New
Year is full of Promise for Canadian Smooth Jazz artist Nura
 January
8, 2004 - Canadian smooth jazz vocalist Nura has been keeping busy marketing her
debut album, a task that has given the opportunity to "speak with some wonderful
people in the media and radio", Nura says she is looking forward to putting
faces to voices when she tours. She is also busy working with her partner, Stuart
Steinhart on his solo album, which will be released later this year. Says Nura
of this latest project "It's an incredible piece of work and it has allowed
me to really stretch out the vocalize aspects of my singing and writing."
That is great news for those who enjoyed her great vocalize work on her self-titled
CD.
A special highlight for Nura is her nomination in the first ever
Smooth Jazz category of Canada's National
Jazz Awards. "I would love to take this opportunity to give Mary Kirk
and the gang at the Wave 94.FM
a huge pat on the back. If it weren't for Mary, the Smooth Jazz Category would
not have come to fruition at the awards. It's a sign of the times, and because
of people like Mary and yourselves the music is getting the exposure and recognition
it so much deserves."
Smooth Jazz Now had to ask, "what was it like
when you received word of your nomination?" "My first reaction to the
nomination was a mix of excitement and gratitude. The most meaningful part of
this nomination, for me, is that the industry is recognizing the work we do! That's
half the battle. In closing, I would like to extend my respect and wishes of success
to all the other nominees. It's a tough scene out there and anyone who makes music
a way of life, whether they are an award winner or not, is a shining star to me!"
To vote for your choice in the Smooth Jazz category of the National
Jazz Awards, please visit www.nationaljazzawards.com.
And Smooth Jazz Now congratulates all the nominees. The awards take place in Toronto
on February 24. by - Liz Rivard
More
Success For Canada's Nura
 October
9, 2003 - After spending a busy summer supporting the release of her self-titled
debut album here in Canada Nura, having just returned from a couple of weeks of
"quality time" spent with her family which she treasures, she's ready
to pick up the pace again. "I'm extremely grateful for the support both media
and radio have shown me not only here in Canada but also in the United States".
As "We're not Alone," continues to do well across Canada, its recent
release in the United States has been embraced by Smooth Jazz radio from Coast
to Coast. " This is wonderful news and with "Falling" receiving
Adult Contemporary airplay here also, I couldn't be happier knowing my music is
reaching such a diverse audience," says Nura. Between the on-going promotion
of her self-titled Cd and completing the production of her soon to be released
DVD, Nura is scheduled to be back in the recording studio in the fall, this time
to lay down the background vocal tracks for her bassist and composer Stuart Steinhart'
s new album, which is to be released in 2004. " I'm really excited about
being part of what I feel, is one of the best albums to hit the jazz scene on
many levels".
Review
- Nura - Nura
 August
26, 2003 - As Canadian diamonds gain notoriety, there is another Canadian gem
that is sure to shine just as bright on the world stage. I am speaking of Ottawa
born jazz artist, Nura. Her recently released self-titled CD "Nura"
is surely worth a listen. With a voice sometimes reminiscent of the whispery Claudine
Longet, Nura's versatility is as diverse as the Canadian landscape. "We're
Not Alone" and "Falling" showcase Nura's clear, bell like voice,
a sweet treat. In fact, "We're Not Alone" has enjoyed significant airplay
in both Canada, and the U.S. The fun "Hangin'", where she is joined
by members of "Faith Chorale" and Raw Footage for look at hanging in
the neighbourhood, with a laid back beat, is a kind of smooth jazz, meets gospel,
meets rap melange. Read
the full review
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