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FACTOR – THE FOUNDATION ASSISTING CANADIAN TALENT ON RECORDINGS. *A Special Message From Jully*

FACTOR is a private non-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance toward the growth and development of the Canadian music industry.

FACTOR’s programs provide financial support to Canadian recording artists, labels, songwriters, publishers, event producers and distributors. Whether an artist is looking to record a demo or a full-length sound recording, market an existing album, or go on tour at home or internationally, there is funding available.

FACTOR is committed to reflecting the diversity of the Canadian population in its programs and operations. We are committed to ensuring universal access to all funds and services, including all musical expressions and talent. We will also in our work encourage these values of diversity and inclusiveness within the broader Canadian music sector.

“FACTOR has been pivotal in liberating me as independent artist and I want to thank them for giving me and other artist’s the financial ability to be creative which is a remedy that serves humanity positively. Music is medicine and to have the support to leap forward and continue to make music that I love is a huge blessing. Thank you!” — Jully Black

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR “CAROLINE, OR CHANGE”!

Don’t miss the most anticipated theatre event of the Toronto winter season! Featuring Canada’s Queen of R&B, Jully Black as Caroline, internationally renowned Canadian soprano Measha Brueggergosman as The Moon, and an all-star Canadian cast, Caroline, or Change will play at the Winter Garden Theatre from January 30 to February 15, 2020. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of the Kennedy assassination and the Civil Rights Movement, CAROLINE, OR CHANGE uses fantasy and reality to explore a story about ordinary people facing extraordinary change. With a musical score that blends blues, soul, gospel, classical and traditional Jewish melodies, this ‘modern masterpiece’ is a timely story of change for our socially-conscious world.  EXCLUSIVE OFFER:  Book by January 20and save 20% with code JULLY20 Book Now: www.carolinetoronto.com ★★★★★ The Times | ★★★★★ NOW Magazine | ★★★★★ The Telegraph | ★★★★★ Toronto Guardian | ★★★★★ Evening Standard | ★★★★★ WhatsOnStage | ★★★★ Financial Times | ★★★★ The Independent | ★★★★ The Guardian | ★★★★ Time Out

Jully’s latest single SLAPS & you ain’ ready! This is your SNEAK PEEK of ‘Mi No Fraid’!

‘Mi No Fraid’ is Jully’s latest single from her forthcoming full-length album ‘2020’. This track features our Queen of RnB’s trademark attention-grabbing lyrical prowess, an immediately infectious Afrobeat groove and of course, the liquid platinum and diamond-laced brilliance that is Jully’s one-of-a-kind, powerhouse voice. Listen below!

‘Mi No Fraid’ is a musical collaboration with award-winning super Producer YoungPetetheOfficial and Emmy nominated songwriter Kareem Blake

Photography: Ancil London – London Images

Cover Art: Roy Perreault & Jully Black

Proud Sponsor

Your First Look (Video!) at Jully in ‘Caroline, Or Change!

When @musicalstageco asked me to BEcome Caroline a year ago I initially said “no” (in my mind) but “I’ll think about it” to them… I was terrified. What most don’t know is for my entire career I learned every thing musical by ear. I also had many years when my voice became unreliable due to stress, anxiety and poor habits. I even hemorrhaged in 2012 and could only speak for 15 minutes/hour for 5 months!!!

I’ve prayed for a career breakthrough and for a way to honour my Mother’s legacy and little did I know it would come as the biggest vocal and acting assignment of my life! Fast forward a year after training with @elaineoverholt @bigvoicestudios and I’m singing better than I ever have in my 42 years! I now understand that it’s the work , discipline, consistency, joy and patience that fuels the faith!

I dedicate this role to every woman who did domestic work to raise their families and put their dreams on hold! A lot of Caroline is @badgyalmackee

Big Love,

Jully

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THIS YOUR FIRST LOOK AT JULLY BLACK IN “CAROLINE, OR CHANGE”!

Hear ‘Canada’s Queen of R&B’ Jully Black perform ‘I Got Four Kids’ from the multi-award-winning musical “CAROLINE, OR CHANGE”, on stage at the historic Winter Garden Theatre, January 30 – February 15, 2020.

Toronto Review: ‘Uncovered: Stevie Wonder and Prince’ The Musical Stage Company

• Joe Szekeres, Chief Toronto Critic

I’ve ‘UNCOVERED’ a treasure gem of a terrific evening of riveting entertainment by the Musical Stage Company.

I just wished I had known sooner about the history of ‘Uncovered’. It’s played the past thirteen years as I would have made my way to Toronto far sooner to receive this early Christmas/holiday gift for myself. It’s only here for a short time and I hear tickets are going fast.

Do anything you can to see this production and, especially, to hear some of our superb Canadian vocalists offer a heartfelt tribute to the music of Stevie Wonder and Prince.

Three quarters concert and one quarter story telling, ‘Uncovered: Stevie Wonder & Prince’ follows a back story behind some of the iconic music of two of North America’s beloved artists. I learned from the programme that the text featured in the production has been curated from actual quotes spoken by Stevie Wonder & the late Prince.

Naturally, the big question – Who will play Stevie Wonder & Prince?

Sarah Afful and Chy Ryan Spain respectively play them with a natural, believable characterization and likability that I honestly felt the two were speaking to me directly throughout the evening. Ms. Afful wore the colourful clothing akin to Stevie Wonder’s fashion style during his many concerts. During Wonder’s songs, I looked at Ms. Afful who became Stevie Wonder to me. She slowly moved her head from side to side in the same manner. She adopted his same smile. Wonderful.

As the somewhat distant loner who introduced the world to androgyny (along with Boy George), Chy Ryan Spain captured a heartbreaking aloofness and poignant sadness as Prince that led me to understand further some of the background behind his songs. At the top of the show, Mr. Spain as Prince referred to the tremendous respect for Stevie Wonder. He said,

“If Michael Jackson is the king of pop, Stevie Wonder is the emperor.”

That same respect and admiration both Ms. Afful and Mr. Spain had for these two artists (and along for each other) was continuously evident to me throughout the show.

What was also the crème de la crème for me of the evening were the selection of singers who showcased their talent. And what a selection of names that I recognized – Thom Allison, Jully Black and Jackie Richardson. The other names to whom I was introduced this evening – Colin Asuncion, Aimee Bessada, Divine Brown, Lydia Persaud, Cary Shields, Michelle Bouey and Alan Hibbert – left me gobsmacked with their vocal renditions of several hits by Wonder and Prince.

Whenever I’m out to review, I always have my notebook in hand to write ideas down if a thought comes to me during the performance. I just decided to close the book, put the pen away and just sit and listen.

Was I disappointed? Absolutely not.

Under Reza Jacobs’ outstanding music direction, vocal arrangements and orchestrations, these ten artists gripped me with their powerhouse vocal work which soared high to its extreme heights on the stage of Koerner Hall at the Royal Conservatory of Music. The smile did not leave my face at all during the evening. I looked around and saw many audience members around me were the same.

Jackie Richardson’s solo renditions of ‘Purple Rain’ and ‘For Once in My Life’ blew the roof off Koerner Hall. ‘My Cherie Amour’ was beautifully sung by Jully Black as I was on every word she sang. Thom Allison’s ‘Knocks Me Off My Feet’ taught me so much about the responsibility artists have in selling a song and believing every word that is crooned.

Cary Shields’ ‘Raspberry Beret’ was deliciously and sweetly delivered. Aimee Bessada, Divine Brown and Lydia Persaud worked a poignant and soulful ‘When Doves Cry’ that brought a hushed silence for a few seconds after the song concluded before the much-deserved applause. Colin Asuncion’s ‘Superstition’ soulfully sang right to my very being that I just closed my eyes because I wanted to hear the words and listen attentively to the music.

An absolute joyful gift.  Treat yourself and a guest. Another definite must see.

FINAL COMMENTS: ‘Uncovered: Stevie Wonder & Prince’ runs only to November 7 at Koerner Hall, Telus Centre for Performance and Learning at the Royal Conservatory of Music, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto. It then transfers for two nights, November 8 and 9, to the George Weston Recital Hall at the Meridian Centre (formerly Toronto Centre for the Arts).

For tickets and further information, visit www.musicalstagecompany.com

Production runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes with one intermission.

UNCOVERED: STEVIE WONDER & PRINCE

Sarah Afful as Stevie Wonder and Chy Ryan Spain as Prince with Thom Allison, Colin Asuncion, Aimee Bessada, Jully Black, Divine Brown, Lydia Persaud, Jackie Richardson and Cary Shields.

Musical Direction, Vocal Arrangements & Orchestrations by Reza Jacobs

Dramaturgy by Mitchell Marcus and Kevin Wong.

Orchestra: Piano and Conductor: Reza Jacobs;  Percussion: Jamie Drake, Basses: Justin Gray; Cellos: Erika Nielsen;

Staging: Elenna Mosoff & Mitchell Marcus; Script: Jason Spetter & Kevin Wong; Lighting Design: Chris Malikowski; Blind Disability Dramaturg: Jessica Watkin

Photo of Jully Black by Dahlia Katz

Review: Uncovered: Stevie Wonder and Prince (Musical Stage Company)

Now a hotly anticipated annual event in Toronto, The Musical Stage Company‘s musical tribute sits squarely at the intersection of theatrical production and concert, improving both. This year’s iteration, Uncovered: Stevie Wonder & Prince, celebrating the music of both artists, was an absolute delight.

In this show, actors play the artists being covered – this year Sarah Afful as Stevie Wonder and Chy Ryan Spain as Prince. An amount of selected narrative is applied to the mostly-musical experience, stringing together direct quotes, that give a glimpse into the experiences and feelings of each musician, though nothing like a history or memoir. And in between and among, top-calibre musicians interpret the hits of Stevie Wonder and Prince in idioms ranging from quite faithful, to fairly inventive.

Uncovered falls for me into the category of performance experiences that feel enchanted. It’s a combination of risk – Music Director and arranger Reza Jacobs takes liberties, they pay off but are risks nonetheless – and seeing great talents pick up and make what they can of other great talents. If you’ve seen Mark Rylance perform Shakespeare, you know just what I mean. I sat in the audience watching Jackie Richardson perform For Once In My Life and I felt like a teenager confronted with a wildly arousing scenario out of nowhere, sweaty and delighted and overwhelmed.

A particular magic of these arrangements is the way they highlight a facet of the song that isn’t necessarily otherwise foregrounded. Aimee Bessada gave Part-Time Lover a seductiveness I’d never heard in it before, and Thom Allison turned in a Manic Monday of hopeful, wistful energy. If I had a complaint about the evening, it was Cary Shield, whose acoustic renditions sometimes felt more like Jonathan Coulton-style parody than interpretation. Jully Black was tremendous, with such a richness of expression, and I enjoyed my first time hearing Lydia Persaud.

Between songs, the actors playing Wonder and Prince shaped well-chosen vignettes, giving some insight into the character and personality of each and rounding out the evening. Both Spain and Afful found the delicate balance of invoking the characters they were playing, without resorting to mimicry.

Uncovered is a popular Toronto evening, and it’s easy to see why. The wattage of talent, the inventive spirit of the performers and the tenderness Jacobs brings to the musical arrangements as he takes the work of giants in-hand are an unbeatable combination, and this year’s catalogues are especially inspiring.

Jully Collab’s with Intimates Apparel Brand KNIX!

They’re Knix and they’re on a mission.

Jully recently collaborated with intimates apparel brand #Knix on a series of stunning billboard and bus wrap campaigns featured in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver!

Knix believes it’s time that all women lived totally, unapologetically free. Free from judgement. Free from self-doubt. And free to be yourself. That’s why every intimates product that they design (and redesign and redesign) is made with one goal in mind: to make you feel more comfortable in your own skin. Not only is Knix reinventing intimates, they are reimagining conversations.

“My surgical scars, tattoo art, beauty marks and healing heart are part of God’s portrait of me. Since confidence is currency, I need nothing else to take me to my destiny. The skin I am fits me perfectly.” –Jully

Like Jully, Knix is redefining what it takes to be strong, beautiful and badass. What does it take? All it takes is you being you, exactly as you are, in your own skin. Keep an eye out for the billboards show ’em some love on your socials! Be sure to tag @missjullyblack on IG, @jullyblack on FB and @knixwear on IG

Big Announcement! Jully’s Musical Theatre Debut!