Joanna Borromeo

Singer-keyboardist Joanna Borromeo launches a busy season of live music at the Bassment on Friday. As a child, the Calgary musician emulated idol Paula Abdul while taking classical piano all the way into university. Her path turned to jazz school, a difficult transition that eventually led to her breakthrough album Kaleidoscope which was nominated for the best R B/Soul Juno award last year. Borromeo, who turned solo after touring with several headliners earlier in her career, is busy recording singles and planning a two-month tour of California to perform and network - a big challenge for the self-described introvert.

In concert here, Borromeo plays with local musicians led by Tim Vaughn. Here are some key words for Joanna Borromeo. Tickets are $20/$25. Show time is 9 p.m. Online: www.saskatoonjazzsociety.com

Influences: What I listened to for fun was pop music in the '80s and '90s. I'm a huge Paula Abdul fan, Janet Jackson fan, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, the list goes on. I wasn't a New Kids on the Block fan, however.

Switching to jazz from classical: It's really intimidating, and super competitive and sometimes people are jerks in school. I didn't improvise, I didn't know how to play a blues progression. I felt really stupid for the first two years in jazz school.

Turning pro: I think secretly I always wanted to do it but I was afraid to listen to my gut.

David Myles: I played and toured with him for a couple of years and played keys and sang backup vocals on his album Turn Time Off.

I learned so much from him. He's such a good human being, too. I learned a lot of life lessons in a positive way just being around him.

Divine Brown. I did a little tour with her in '08 or '09. That was really fun. I felt like a rock star. That was the first time I had been on a tour bus, and I haven't been on a tour bus since.

Going solo: This is the hardest version of being an artist. It's a lot easier to be hired by somebody and they take care of all the management and administration and finance. I enjoyed writing songs, even though they weren't commercial-radio friendly. And wanting to sing and play keys at the same time was also a thing that I enjoyed doing.

Kaleidoscope: Borromeo says that getting a Canada Council grant for the album was a sign to keep going. "I was at a fork in the road - do I actually want to do this? I was going through a bit of funk."

Juno nomination: It was really cool. I was ecstatic. I didn't win but that's totally OK. I'm definitely not quitting. I'm past that stage of personal development. I'm committed now, I'm fully committed.

Genre: If I actually had to say it I would say indie-soul or I'd say maybe a soul-jazz artist. That's how I would market it.

Live show: It'll be funky, it'll be jazzy, heartfelt and sometimes loud. It'll be cool. And hopefully inspiring. That's my main thing is making sure people walk away feeling really good. - The Star Phoenix

Few things are as euphonic as a beautifully made R&B song. Thankfully, Joanna Borromeo provides a treat for our ears with her newest offering, “Wanna Love You”. The Canadian R&B/jazz/soul songstress has talent, style, and ideal instrumentation, and her song’s melody is smooth; the soft vocal undertone, the ethereal keyboard, the snapping rhythm, the subtle drumroll about halfway through the piece, and all. While the instrumentation is on point, Borromeo’s stunning vocals are what really catch the ear; she sings with enough soul to drop your jaw, but then pulls back and can croon as gently as ever. Her sound draws strong comparisons to many early R&B stars, especially Diana Ross, which is a great sound to hear revived, and we advise you to revel in the former’s effort below. - HillyDilly.com

Joanna Borromeo is happy to report a great deal has happened in her world since we last sat down together. And all of it good.

That first chat was less than a week after the Calgary musician had found out — via Twitter — that she and her album Kaleidoscope had just earned a Juno nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. And at that point she was asked if the nomination had brought any tangible rewards to her.

“I’ve noticed a little bump. It’s modest,” Borromeo said pointing to social media reaction, which brought her a couple of extra listens, a few more followers and a handful of “Likes.”

Now, though, it’s mere days before the big weekend in Winnipeg and she’s positively giddy about all of events that have transpired during that month in between. She’s released a new single, filmed a pair of videos, booked a tour in California, was added to the Edmonton International Jazz Festival and is now competing in the CBC Searchlight competition.

“Ever since that interview it’s been non-stop,” she says, this time too busy even for an in-person. “It’s really cool.”

So there it is, the flurry of opportunities one can expect with that big Juno bump.

“No, none at all,” Borromeo says with a laugh. “None of this stuff came from the Junos.

“The Junos just came at a great time.”

Ah. Well. Perhaps it’s a question we can revisit on a third occasion, preferably after the singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist returns back home with an actual Juno Award in tow. We’ll find out on Saturday night when the award is handed out during the award gala that precedes Sunday evening’s made-for-TV affair, where only six of the prizes will be doled out.

And Borromeo, despite being an indie artist up against such other artists as The Weeknd and JRDN featuring Kardinal Offishall, has as good a chance as any to bring home the glory.

Kaleidoscope, recorded at The Station Recording Co., a “gem” in the West Hillhurst community operated by Craig Newnes, Spencer Cheyne and Clea Roddick, is a pretty great showcase of what Borromeo has been doing in this city for some time now — warm, gorgeous, jazzy, funk and soul delivered with a set of pipes that’s the perfect mix of power, sensuality, sass and seduction.

It’s one that’s made her a versatile voice to call on for collaborative purposes, with her working, in the past, with a remarkably interesting group of names that includes fellow R&B artist Divine Brown, popsmith Joel Plaskett and even iconic kids entertainer Raffi on his song On Hockey Days.

But Kaleidoscope, her sophomore effort, is a more personal expression for the songwriter, one that allows her to show off all of her sides and show how comfortable she is with her many musical gifts.

Perhaps that’s why she deservedly takes such great pride in even getting invited to the big Juno dance.

“I guess it’s like a huge affirmation for me,” says the artist, who also teaches voice and piano in the city.

“Last year at the Western Canadian Music Awards, I was nominated as well. That was the first time I caught a glimpse of the whole ‘thing.’ I felt like such a small, independent artist. I just like making music.

“Now to be nominated again, for a Juno, I’m starting to think that, ‘OK, I guess what I’m doing is reaching people.’ And that’s cool.”

And should she win? Is she prepared for all that could follow?

“I don’t know yet what it will mean, to tell you the truth,” she says, noting that she already feels as if her career is finally in full swing and the opportunities are endless.

“I really feel like that now. Now the ball is really starting to roll.”

At the perfect time. - Calgary Herald

"….And last, but most definitely not least, veteran vocalist and performer Joanna Borromeo is nominated in the R&B/Soul Recording of the Year category for her album Kaleidoscope. The fact that it was an independently released record - one that will go up against other acts such as The Weeknd and JRDN featuring Kardinal Off shall - only makes the honour all the more impressive…." - Calgary Herald

Calgary AB – Check out Joanna Borromeo‘s new single called “Wanna Love You”. She is a talented singer and songwriter from Calgary. This is a beautiful song, the PERFECT song to play when love is in the air. She is definitely getting noticed, in 2014 she was a JUNO Award Nominee for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year and in 2013 she was a WCMA Nominee for Urban Recording of the Year. Her lyrical abilities are amazing so we also featured it below courtesy from her Bandcamp page so you can follow along to her song. Check it out below and let us know what you think! - Canadian Dope

Joanna Borromeo is not playing around. The young Calgary native definitely shows what shes got on her new album Kaleidoscope, which releases on March 26th.

From front to back the album is a great listen. It features excellent instrumentation that gives the entire album a living breathing feeling. Borromeo’s experience as a pianist certainly makes the album more personal and intimate. I liken the experience to sitting front row at a live show. The tracks are laced with earthy tantalizing vocals.

The aptly named album does a fantastic job of effectively tying together an array of moods while maintaining a cohesive feel.

The opening track “Move Mountains” is absolutely fantastic. The drums are crisp and heavy, the keys are groovy and you cannot help but fall in love with this woman’s style. As soon as the beat drops you will find yourself nodding your head, and the Rhodes takes it from there.

The rest of the album did not disappoint.

Despite the first track the bulk of the album is quite mellow. After “Move Mountains” you are dropped into the soulful love song “No One Like You”. Don’t be fooled though, there are tracks like “Your Shoes” and “For Me” mixed in that will come on and make sure that you are still alert and feeling good.

Kaleidoscope is very well put together in every sense of the phrase. The instrumentation is tight throughout, the vocals never falter, and the format is, in my opinion, immaculate. Kaleidoscope will be available on March 26th so be sure to pick up this gem. - Bama Love Soul

The Calgary-based singer Joanna Borromeo has been developing a reputation across the border and now she’s ready to flourish in the United States and beyond. After turning heads with her Through the Dark EP in 2009, she began to envision a full-length album. The talented soul singer and pianist spent nearly a decade working with top names in the Canadian music scene including Toronto’s Juno-winning vocalist Divine Brown and New Brunswicker David Myles. Over the years she gathered ideas and songs and set to work on Kaleidoscope, which is available now. Since this album was a larger project than her EP, Borromeo brought in producers/engineers Spencer Cheyne and Craig Newnes to co-produce the record with her. Their experience helped Borromeo sharpen her approach while letting her vision take center stage.

Kaleidoscope will grab your attention from start to finish. “Move Mountains” announces the record with Borromeo’s dynamic voice, funky bass, a tight horn section and heavy rhodes. “No One Like You” and “Outside” contrast with slow, organic grooves that develop into beautiful arrangements. Joanna Borromeo’s attention to detail is evident in her terrific horn and string arrangements which can be soft and subtle or tough and gritty. “Your Shoes” hits with all the punch of classic soul sides while “Even If” has a mysterious flavor with a haunting rhodes, piano combination that gives way to a powerful chorus. “For Me” features the irresistibly funky approach of this band that gets firing on all cylinders with a tune reminiscent of Incognito’s classic acid jazz sound. “Train Ride” is a slice of heartache which crescendo’s into one of Borromeo’s most moving vocal performances. “Good Times in Love” has a gospel feel with inspirational piano that leads into a fine string and horn arrangement which closes the record. Or does it? The final treat “Wide-eyed and in Your Arms” will take you by surprise the way a bonus track should. Crackling vinyl noise grows into a pulsing electronic mix of piano, bass and ambient guitar with a chugging beat.

One listen to Kaleidoscope and you will be hooked. This is an impressive album from a young songwriter who is already crafting an original sound. Not only can Joanna sing with the best of them, she is accomplished on piano and rhodes and knows how to arrange the band to great effect. She celebrates the release of her new record with a West Coast tour through California and Nevada starting April 12th. Check out her tour dates and listen to an album preview to get a taste of the record. Don’t miss Joanna Borromeo’s solo version of “Move Mountains” below and pick up Kaleidoscope at your favorite record store or bandcamp. - Splinters & Candy

In 2010, keyboard player and vocalist Joanna Borromeo was living the dream. Based in Toronto, arguably the epicentre of the Canadian music industry, she had established a reputation for being a talented professional and, as a result, had a steady stream of gigs that showed no sign of slowing down.
Born and raised in Calgary, where she took classical piano from the age of five, Borromeo set out for Toronto in 2001 to study jazz at Humber College, though she would end up three credits short of a degree due to all the gigging she was doing during her fourth year with an R & B cover band.
Eventually, her talents landed her in the backing band for Kate Rogers, with whom she would tour the UK three times in three years. Over the course of the decade, Borromeo also toured with Halifax singer-songwriter David Myles, played Massey Hall as part of a gospel Christmas album recording project for the CBC and did the jazz festival circuit with Canadian R & B chanteuse Divine Brown.
But all that work was keeping her from what she really wanted — to perform and record original soul/R & B material as a solo singer-songwriter.
“It was really hard to try to make some space for myself in Toronto,” Borromeo says. “That was when it really started to hit home that it would take years for me to get to where I wanted to be. I thought, why don’t I just come home, where I’m not as in demand and I could focus on what I wanted to do?”
The decision proved fruitful. Bolstered by an Alberta Creative Development Initiative grant from the Canada Council of the Arts, Borromeo was able to complete her first full-length solo album, "Kaleidoscope," a collection of smooth, soulful songs accompanied by her beloved Rhodes piano, as well as a 12-piece orchestra. After a soft launch last November, the album will be released officially this month followed by a tour of Western Canada.
While her hometown isn’t exactly a hotbed of urban music, there does exist a tight-knit community that, according to Borromeo, has some advantages over her former stomping grounds. “I think, in a place like Toronto, people have become a little bit cynical about the politics of how music should be delegated. Calgary has not reached that point yet,” she says.
“The one thing about Calgary is that I feel it’s growing; the whole thing is maturing.
“I feel like I’ve come at a good time.” - Avenue Magazine