James Faulkner
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada | INDIE
Music
Press
The Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) is proud to announce the nominees for the 2012 MARTY Awards. This year there are a grand total of 90 artists in the running! The winners will be revealed at the MARTYS celebration taking place on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.
Now into its 18th year, the MARTYS Awards celebrate the artistic achievements of the city’s established artists while encouraging and supporting emerging artistic talent. Produced by the Mississauga Arts Council, the MARTYS have been described as an important launch for many Mississauga artists’ careers. Previous finalists and winners have moved on to win awards and find their place in the international artistic community including rock bands illScarlett and Billy Talent, jazz pianist Nancy Walker, filmmaker Richie Metha, and many more!
This year the MARTYS will be held at Mississauga’s premiere arts facility, the Living Arts Centre. The event will begin with networking on the red-carpet at 7 p.m. Following this exciting launch, the awards presentation will start at 8 p.m. and will feature many exhilerating performances! The MARTYS will be hosted by local author and television personality, Kathy Buckworth for the second year in the row. She will be joined on stage by the Davor Jordanovski band, the Mississauga Festival Choir, the Axe Capoeira dancers and the Damon Pfaff band.
Each category will honour an emerging artist and an established artist. Winners will receive a cash prize, extensive media coverage and recognition at the MARTYS. There will also be two awards given out to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Mississauga; the Laurie Pallett Patron of the Arts Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award. The winners of these special awards will receive an original award.
The council will also announce the winner of the Creative Community Award, for the second year in the running. This award honours art forms that aren’t traditionally recognized including fibre arts, spinning and weaving, tattoo art, jewelry, fashion arts etc.
Lastly, the People’s Choice Award will also continue in 2012. The general public is invited to visit the Mississauga Arts Council’s website from Monday, April 9, 2012 to April 30, 2012 where they can vote for their favourite artist. The council’s website is www.mississaugaartscouncil.com.
The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be presented at the MARTYS celebration on Thursday May 31, 2012. Tickets for the MARTYS are $25 and may be purchased by calling 905-615-4278.
And now, the official nominees are...
Emerging Literary Arts Nominees
Anna Konareva
Anna Konareva is an ambitious nonfiction writer, editor and blogger in Mississauga. Anna writes on her Russian upbringing and her current life in Mississauga. Anna is constantly working towards the competitive forces of the writing world and hopes to make a change in the field one day.
Asim Hussain
Asim Hussain is in a class of his own. His premise is that he is a "student." He is interested in learning about himself and others. Asim's interests lie in learning more about Human Potential. He has recently written a book in this area, Khadijah goes to School - A story about You. Asim believes in having personal standards and trying to live up to them.
Felicia James
Felicia James is an author and poet born in Mississauga. Her first bilingual poetry book entitled, Too Hot For the Shelf; Trop Chaud Pour L’étagère was released in late 2011. It makes a phenomenal piece in the Canadian poetry collection.
Ihsan Aksel
Poetry to Ihsan Aksel us a way of life and a way to inspire. Ihsan started writing poetry to get a message out against bullying. When he overcame his own experiences as a bullied person, he began to better understand the problems that others were facing and started writing to advocate for the issues that they were confronted with. Poetry has helped him become who he is and he feels that it will help him help others get to where they want to be.
J. Nichole Noel
J. Nichole Noel, the entertainer is a multi-talented recording artist who has also written eight poetry books and two children’s books. J. Nichole has shared her great talents in the pursuit of reaching women around the world with her interactive inspirational words and mesmerizing performances.
Jasmine Baxi- Sawant
Jasmine Baxi-Sawant has been writing essays, articles and short stories as well as plays, radio scripts for commercials and much more. She has been involved in theatre and film for over 20 years, and believes that it all begins with a good story. She is the co-founder of Sawitri Theatre Group and the general manager of the award-winning company Sampradaya Dance Creations.
Jeff Pike
Jeff has had a passion for writing and film since a ver - Mississauga Arts Council
Writing songs helped James Faulkner cope when two of his friends died in a car accident four years ago.
The 30-year-old Mississauga musician, who recently finished his debut album, The Facts of Life, said at the time he was working as a lifeguard at River Grove Community Centre and was deeply impacted by the tragic news.
Faulkner, now a music teacher at Fallingbrook Public School, said the experience taught him to live life to the fullest and inspired the song, Carpe Diem (Seize the Day).
Reciting some of the lyrics, he said the song is a tribute to his friends' memory and the lesson he learned.
"You don't know when your number is going to be called, so (you've) got to make the best of each day," said Faulkner, adding the name of the eight-track album reflects his experiences of the last couple of years and how he's coped.
Faulkner, who's hosting a CD release party at Hugh's Room in Toronto on Thursday night, noted that both good and unpleasant experiences are part of life.
Describing his debut album, Faulkner, who graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2005 with a degree in music, said the CD has a folk, pop and contemporary feel inspired by a range of composers from his classical studies and the contemporary sounds of James Taylor, Steven Page, John Mayer and Bryan Adams.
He's hoping people will see the positive, hopeful message of the album.
"I try to look on the lighter side of things, whatever life throws at me, and I hope people will take away the same thing," he said.
Faulkner has been working to establish himself as a singer/songwriter the last few years. Most recently, he placed 11th earlier this year in the Hard Rock Cafe's Hard Rock Rising 2012 Competition, which saw 450 songs submitted to the contest. The competition identifies rising talent around the world.
Faulkner says he hopes to one day do a show at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre in Toronto and share his music with a larger audience. He's currently working on a live album and his next full-length album, which he says will have more of a funk, soul and R&B feel. - Mississauga News
Writing songs helped James Faulkner cope when two of his friends died in a car accident four years ago.
The 30-year-old Mississauga musician, who recently finished his debut album, The Facts of Life, said at the time he was working as a lifeguard at River Grove Community Centre and was deeply impacted by the tragic news.
Faulkner, now a music teacher at Fallingbrook Public School, said the experience taught him to live life to the fullest and inspired the song, Carpe Diem (Seize the Day).
Reciting some of the lyrics, he said the song is a tribute to his friends' memory and the lesson he learned.
"You don't know when your number is going to be called, so (you've) got to make the best of each day," said Faulkner, adding the name of the eight-track album reflects his experiences of the last couple of years and how he's coped.
Faulkner, who's hosting a CD release party at Hugh's Room in Toronto on Thursday night, noted that both good and unpleasant experiences are part of life.
Describing his debut album, Faulkner, who graduated from Wilfrid Laurier University in 2005 with a degree in music, said the CD has a folk, pop and contemporary feel inspired by a range of composers from his classical studies and the contemporary sounds of James Taylor, Steven Page, John Mayer and Bryan Adams.
He's hoping people will see the positive, hopeful message of the album.
"I try to look on the lighter side of things, whatever life throws at me, and I hope people will take away the same thing," he said.
Faulkner has been working to establish himself as a singer/songwriter the last few years. Most recently, he placed 11th earlier this year in the Hard Rock Cafe's Hard Rock Rising 2012 Competition, which saw 450 songs submitted to the contest. The competition identifies rising talent around the world.
Faulkner says he hopes to one day do a show at the Molson Canadian Amphitheatre in Toronto and share his music with a larger audience. He's currently working on a live album and his next full-length album, which he says will have more of a funk, soul and R&B feel. - Mississauga News
Opening the show in the 10:00PM spot was singer/songwriter from near by Mississauga James Faulkner. James brought a strong following out to watch him put on one heck of a performance. Without a doubt one of the best solo acts I have personally ever seen. James has a super strong voice and is a true talent with the guitar skills to compliment his voice. - Heroic Entertainment Blog
James Faulkner, a singer/songwriter from Mississauga, brought an impressive crowd to the Hard Rock Café for his opening set at the Hard Rock Café this summer. His mellow, soul-infused grooves were supported by a large band which included a horn-section and backup vocalists. All the musicians displayed excellent chops and feel, especially the solid rhythm-section... Although the harmonies and some of the lyrics could use a boost, his songs are well-crafted and have a rare subtlety. James strives to connect with his audience, delivering humorous and heartfelt banter between songs and even dedicated some of his songs to lost loved-ones. James and his group show promise with listenable songs and a very enjoyable live set. - Sean Hillman M.A(c),B.A.?ARYA Promotions, Owner/Booking Director
Discography
Singles:
Picture Frames (January 2012)
Carpe Diem (May 2011)
Discography
The Facts of Life (October 2011)
Photos
Bio
Mississauga-born artist James Faulkner discovered his interest in music at a very early age while taking piano lessons. This interest blossomed into a full-blown love affair when James received his very first guitar as a gift. To this day, James hangs on to that guitar, now beaten up and virtually unplayable, it still serves as a reminder of the exact moment when he knew that music would become his life-long passion. James went on to study classical guitar and later obtained a Bachelor of Music degree from Wilfrid Laurier University. After graduating, he started playing with various ensembles in the Toronto area and was later picked up by the Stingray Show Band, with which he played onRoyal Caribbean Cruise Lines.
While he was enjoying the excitement of being on stage and discovering a variety of music genres, James increasingly felt the need to make his unique contribution to the world of music. This is how The Facts of Life was born. Entirely written, composed and produced by James Faulkner, his debut album released in 2012 marked a coming of age on his music journey. The sound is a unique blend of folk and blues with a jazzy undertone and the lyrics reflect James views on life and his experiences thus far in a way that truly relates to audiences.
James continues to be very active on the music scene and has played a variety of shows and venues, including most recently hitting the stage for The Bread and Honey festival in Streetsvile, ON. This year he has also received a MARTY award nomination from the Mississauga Arts Council and his single Picture Frame finished 15th out of 450 entries for the Hard Rock Rising competition. Earlier this year James was also voted as The Coolest Band in Toronto and featured on the front page of Offerings magazine.
James excitement for playing his original music is infectious. Attending a James Faulkner show is a truly unforgettable experience. No props or elaborate light shows are required when the impressive 7-piece band hits the stage; it is all about the music and audiences are immediately captivated by the unique sound. Often, when the horn section of the band punctuates James masterful guitar solos, the audience will start clapping and cheering with surprise.
Music continues to be the focus of James everyday life and his passion and enjoyment for following his life-long dream shine through in everything he does. When he isnt performing or preparing for upcoming shows, he can often be found jotting down new lyrics or strumming his guitar for inspiration or sharing his love of music with his students.
Band Members
Links
