PETR CANCURA
Posted on February 10th, 2010
Multi-instrumentalist PETR CANCURA is sought-after for his original voice and unique blend of musical influences, whether on saxophones or mandolin. With 30 released albums under his belt, he has recorded and performed with Grammy-nominated Danilo Perez, Grammy-nominated Julian Lage, Bob Moses, Joe Morris, Kathleen Edwards, Kenny Wollesen, Joe Maneri, Cecil McBee and the Juno award-winning Mighty Popo among others.
Born in Czech Republic, raised in Canada and now in New York, Petr’s versatility and experience shines through everything he does. The Petr Cancura Trio has been featured on CBC Radio’s Signal, and continues to tour internationally with acclaim. Since 2007 Petr was a featured resident artist and coordinator at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival’s Ottawa Composers. In 2004, Cancura received an award to study at the prestigious New England Conservatory in Boston, where completed the Masters program. During this time, he led many successful groups and projects, including the artistic residency with Boston’s esteemed MIM (Modern Improvised Music) Society.
Today Cancura continues to record and perform with artists from all over the world, with musical project spanning from jazz to world and folk music. Petr’s current project called Down Home is jazz inspired by original black & white photographs and the music of the deep south (Mississippi and Kentucky). Other current projects are The Richie Barshay Group, his own groups PeopleMusic, a quartet with Polish marvel Jacek Kochan, guitar legend Joe Morris, Brazilian Bluegrass band NationBeat and the Grammy-nominated Danilo Perez Big Band.
DOWN HOME
2009 - present
Down Home is a collection of songs inspired by black and white photographs. Monochrome always seems to tell a different side of the story. To tell the fables, “Down Home” takes songs from different musical traditions that evoke a story. From the sounds of Americana and jazz to a hint of country and bluegrass. The photographs and music enhance each other, telling stories – stories that you can smell, hear and feel! The rhythms of Africa and Brazil, the phrasing of old blues singers from Mississippi, the deep sound of the saxophone, the unmistakable sound of strings (banjo, mandolin, violin, guitar, bass), and perhaps a song or two with words.
There are many musicians that I have had the pleasure to work with on this project and continue to do so. Here are some of these musicians:
Petr Cancura - saxophones;
Richie Barshay - drums;
Garth Stevenson - bass;
Chris Bartos - guitar, violin;
Jenny Scheinmann - violin;
Skye Steele - violin;
Rob Jost - bass;
Scott Kettner - drums;
Jordan Cannella - bass;
Brian Drye - trombone;
Robert Dipietro - drums
Ziv Ravitz - drums
Jesse Lewis - guitar
PeopleMusic
2006 - present
PeopleMusic came about to try capture the fun and sadness of life through music. A celebration of Brazil, Africa, the Balkans, the old worlds and the fearless adventure of new music. The group's music has some of the rawness of world music and the energy of the New York jazz scene. As an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Petr Cancura has learned from a smorgasbord of jazz and world music. The Czech-born, Ottawa-raised, New York-based saxophonist brings his highly-appraised quartet from Brooklyn to Ottawa, to share an evening of adventures in music. He is joined by some of the finest musicians, whose individual accomplishments are topped only by the groups’ sense of adventure (and a good lazagna). Drummer Richie Barshay (Herbie Hancock Quartet, Chic Corea, Kenny Werner Trio) lends his uplifting sense of rhythm, Garth Stevenson (George Garzone, David Tronzo, Jason Marsalis) plays bass and Chris Bartos (Sarah Harmer, Ennis Sisters) rounds out the group with his haunting melodies and evocative feel. With the intent to express the emotions of life through music, the group's positive energy shines with every note.
Here is about PeopleMusic:
Petr Cancura - saxophones;
Richie Barshay - drums;
Garth Stevenson - bass;
Chris Bartos - guitar, violin