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Three Performers, PanAm Games, July 2015

7/29/2015

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Why see these three?
One is a senior.  One is in his early forties.  One is still a teen.
We are talking about three outstanding Canadian performers: icon Bruce Cockburn, Alex Cuba, and Francesco Yates.
They were among many talented artists drawing large crowds and eager fans at the PanAm concerts in Toronto. 
Why these three?

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Bruce Cockburn is a given.  The social activist, dreamer, author and award-winning performer uses intense and colourful symbolism in his well-known compositions.  Following a low key intro, he walked onto the Toronto Harbourfront WestJet stage like an old friend, picked up his guitar, acknowledged his followers and commented on the wonderful view of Lake Ontario before him.  Then he launched into song. 
He had the standing room only crowd in the palm of his hand for one and a half hours.  Fans sang
along with his well-known songs: If a Tree Falls ....Lovers in a Dangerous Time...Wondering Where the Lions are....and listened intently to his between song patter.  Like the seasoned master he is, Cockburn performed magic.


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Francesco Yates, award winner at 19, attracted us because his keyboarder, Eddy Ruyter, is my nephew.  In his late twenties, Eddy has been paying his musical dues over the years by playing, managing, song writing, arranging, scoring and backing various artists.  He clicks with Francesco Yates, the current hot talent with the hit Better to be Loved.  The crowd loved Yates’ performance backed by his gifted band members.  More on Eddy at https://www.facebook.com/eddy.ruyter

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Award winner Canadian-Cuban Alex Cuba hails from Smithers B.C. via Havana.  His Latino beat resonates with hot, hot rhythm.  You can’t stand still when watching his sensual moves or when he invites fan participation.  He adds a touch of humour too: whipping out a comb from his back pocket, he runs it through his Afro and then uses it to strum his guitar; the crowd cheers.  As mesmerizing a performer as he is, our eyes locked in on Jake Jenne, his gifted drummer.  We know Jake http://jakejenne.com/bio/ comes by his talent honestly.  His is a musically endowed family that includes his sister, Taisa, married to our middle son, Perry, an artist also living in Smithers.  

Each performer is at a different stage of their careers.  And these are only three.  Kudos to their strong and gifted back-up support who also showcase their individual talents.
More arts and culture in Toronto:
http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/whatson/today.cfm?id=7460&festival_id=0 
http://www.toronto2015.org/panamania

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Photos used under Creative Commons from Bazar del Bizzarro, roland, Mike Kniec