CAST, CREW & HIGHLIGHTS
MC RYAN CHUNG
Ryan Chung, also known as R. Chung in Toronto, began hosting local events and talent shows before making his mark in Broadcasting. His breakthrough came in the 2009 Much Music VJ Search, leading to opportunities with MTV Canada and Corus Entertainment.
With a passion for broadcasting and entertaining, Ryan has hosted major events at venues like Echo Beach and Toronto’s City Hall, including the 2015 Pan-Am Games.
He produced and hosted an all-Canadian music highlight show on G98.7FM (now Flow987) for 7 years, interviewing renowned artists like Savannah Re, Jully Black and many others... Currently, Ryan serves as a Producer for CBC Music’s National Morning Show and hosts a segment called “SYNTH” on CBC every Thursday morning.
MC ASHA LAPPS
Asha Lapps is passionate about the well-being of her community. She is the founder of the Black Queens of Durham, a vibrant online community of almost ten thousand Black women in Durham, Ontario with reach throughout the GTA. She loves inspiring women and being a connector of good people. She is a huge believer in continuous growth and personal development and a proud aunty!
NGOMA
Ngoma; meaning both drum and dance in Swahili, was formed in 1995 by a group of young performing artists. This group united with the community, to educate, empower and embrace their audiences with the majesty of who the were, who they are, and the limitlessness of who they could become.
Today, Ngoma consists of a new generation of young artists who remain committed to continue the work of sharing their African ancestry through the musical discipline and skill development of drum and dance with the community.
Ngoma continually captures the true essence of their cultural heritage and does not fail to delight eager audiences from all walks of life with a distinctive new vibe at a variety of functions. This ensemble is taught and coached on traditional and cross over pieces of music by local and international professional artists... The ensemble promotes mentorship within the art community by organizing young professional artists who were first generation Ngoma members to teach and choreograph the current
Connect with Ryan on Twitter (or Elon Musk’s XYUCK), Instagram & TikTok
@rdotchung
IG: @ashalapps IG: blackqueensofdurham/
www.facebook.com/
FB Page: Black Queens of Durham
NgomaEnsemble/
Members include:
Jasmine Jones-Ball
Isaiah Bedward-Halmiton
Brian Edwards
Dhaivat Jani
partcipants. This inter-generational interaction builds leadership skills and also provides opportunities for talented individuals to create and host workshops to showcase their own interpretation and style of traditional compositions displaying a blend of the ancient and modern.
FLOW FEST PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
The Flow Fest Percussion Ensemble is composed of professional drummers and percussionists from throughout the GTA and Brampton. This multigenerational group of artists have come together specifically for our Flow Fest celebrations. This year’s ensemble includes Dyalis Machado, Elena Rawlins-Richards, Jasmine Jones-Ball, Dhaivat Jani, Roshane Wright, Isaiah Bedward-Halmiton, Brian Edwards, Aaron Seunarine, Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo. The piece performed on stage for the 2023 festival was composed by ensemble member Roshane Wright.
@jazzyjas52
@isaiahbedwardhamilton
@wadadlimusicproject
@janidhaivat
OKAN
Elena Rawlins-Richards
Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo
Dyalis Machado
Aaron Seunarine
@elenarawlinsrichards
@joaquinhabanasafari
@dyalisnmachado
@lovesound247
Fusing Afro-Cuban roots with jazz, folk and global rhythms in songs about immigration, resistance and love, OKAN takes their name from the word for heart in their Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria. With vocals in Spanish, English and Spanglish, OKAN is led by the Cuban-born violinist and vocalist Elizabeth Rodriguez and percussionist and vocalist Magdelys Savigne, both Grammy and Latin-Grammy nominees.
Having recently performed and recorded with Bomba Estereo, Lido Pimienta, Hilario Duran and Dayme Arocena, OKAN’s Junowinning sophomore release Espiral debuted in first place on Canada’s! Earshot charts and was included in NPR’s top 10 Alt Latino and CBC Music’s top 20 of that year.
Passionate advocates for freedom of expression, queer rights and gender equality, OKAN has gained a reputation for their powerful live performances, which showcase their incredible harmonies, virtuosic musicianship, potent lyrics as well as an unfailing ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level.
Embracing genres that have not historically fostered women artists outside of the role of singer, OKAN co-leaders have faced many challenges. Magdelys talks about the obstacles she faced in pursuing percussion in her native Cuba and how “coming out as a percussionist” to her family. was as big a deal as coming out as queer. Part of the next wave of Cuban women composers and multi-instrumentalists, Elizabeth and Magdelys bring a fresh perspective to Latin and world jazz fusion through their powerful harmonies, elevated musicianship and provocative but playful lyrical content.
IG: @okanmusiccuba
Follow
FB/IN/YT /TT: @LarnellLewisMusic
TW: @Larnell_Lewis
Born in Havana, Cuba, Elizabeth Rodriguez is a classically trained violinist who served as concertmaster for Havana’s Youth Orchestra. Magdelys Savigne hails from Santiago de Cuba and graduated with honors in orchestral percussion from Havana’s University of the Arts.
Called “lush and vibrant, urgent but specific and deeply intentional” by CBC Music, OKAN’s second album Espiral delved deeper into the group’s rich Cuban roots, Finding renewed inspiration in this powerful musical heritage. The Santeria influences are most evident in the title track, which uniquely blends guajira, the folk genre of Eastern Cuba, with Santeria-derived chants.
A new album, Okantomi, to be released in the fall of 2023, includes special guests as classical violinist Lara St. John, leading figures in Cuban jazz, Dayme Arocena and Elmer Ferrer as well as the legendary Afro-Cuban percussionist Amado Dedeu. @okanmusiccuba
LARNELL LEWIS (CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR)
Larnell Lewis is a Grammy Award winning musician, composer, producer and educator based in Toronto. He is a distinguished drummer known for his immense talent, skill and musical creativity. He has recorded and toured internationally with world renowned artists including Quincy Jones, Laila Biali, Jacob Collier, Pat Metheny, Snarky Puppy and many more. He also leads his own project, The Larnell Lewis Band and released his debut album, In the Moment, in 2018. This project explores Larnell’s deep connection to jazz, fusion, and his AfroCaribbean roots. In 2020, Larnell released Relive the Moment, a reimagination of his compositions from his debut with new live drum performances. Larnell Lewis is a proud DrumeoCOACH and is endorsed by Yamaha Drums, Zildjian, Promark, Evans, D’Addario, Prologix, and Latin Percussion.
JOY LAPPS (CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR)
Internationally lauded artist and composer Joy Lapps activates spaces for community building and creative expression. The award-winning instrumentalist of Antiguan and Barbudan descent treats the steelpan as a tool for engagement, anchoring her artistry in a profound, community-centered musical tradition. She aims to amplify women’s contributions in every facet of her work, giving nuanced attention to women of the steelband movement.
Follow Joy on social media
www.joylapps.com
FB/IN/YT /TT: @JoyLappsMusic
At her core, Joy connects to music as participatory. As a leader, Joy has appeared at jazz festivals across North America including Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Victoria, Edmonton, and Halifax Jazz Festivals.
Her repertoire teems with Afro-Caribbean- and Afro-Brazilianinspired rhythmic and harmonic patterns, garlands of melody and plenty of space for spontaneity, and a fondness for hit song forms and reimagined choirs emerges frequently in her compositions.
IG: @roshanewright
YT: @roshanewright7875
TT: @roshanewright
FB: @roshane.wright
Following the release of Girl in the Yard, Joy plans to share a new research- and interview-driven multidisciplinary project she’s been developing that spotlights women’s contributions to the steelpan community.
DIONNE WILSON
Dionne Wilson is a Musician and Writer who has been contributing to Toronto’s music scene for over a decade. Dionne has extensive experience in the performing arts and continues to be an active performer in Toronto’s live music scene. Whether as a soloist, a background vocalist supporting major recording artists or a studio session musician, Dionne brings infectious energy and a wealth of knowledge to each opportunity.
As a graduate of the esteemed Jazz Program at Humber College, Dionne sees the value in arts education and has contributed to various music education initiatives that include school workshops and arts based community outreach programs
In her spare time she teaches privately and is working on a sitcom.
ROSHANE WRIGHT
Roshane Wright is a percussionist, drummer, composer and educator coming from Portmore, Jamaica. He started playing percussion instruments at the age of 7 and has never looked back since.
In Jamaica, Roshane was a musical accompanist and educator at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts for 5 years. He has toured Jamaica’s finest hotels playing with Caribbean - African Fusion ensemble named ‘Jamique Ensemble’ and also did various solo acts across the island. Roshane moved to Canada in 2019 and quickly began to progress musically at the Humber College Bachelors of Music Program, where he was mentored by some of Canada’s best musicians (Mark Kelso, Larnell Lewis, Waleed Abdulaid, etc.).
He currently performs his own music with his band primarily in Toronto. He has also played with numerous great bands and for known artists in Toronto including The Maple Blues Band, The DubWize Band, Juno Award winning Reggae artists Kirk Diamond, Kairo Mclean and many others. Passionate to share his knowledge with others, Roshane also does Music Education specifically teaching Caribbean rhythms and culture to aspiring musicians. Roshane plays *Music From the Heart.*
IG/YT/FB: @paapakobe
Soundcloud: @aah-kobe
LI: www.linkedin.com /in/kobena
KOBENA AQUAA HARRISON
An intuitive creative synergist, Aquaa-Harrison started his first business, a tropical fish breeding ‘kennel’, at age 10; began graphic and industrial design at 12; taught himself to build and play electric guitars at 15; became an architectural draughtsman in Malawi at 20, and at 22 began hosting a primetime Toronto radio show.
Aquaa’s multi-disciplinary skills fully integrate as a Performer and Producer, as Creative Development Director at Abandze Embassy, in the heart of West Queen West arts & entertainment triangle, Toronto. Consistent innovation and breaking ground for 25 years, has strewn his path with awards in music, artistic direction, arts management, performance, media, dance and most recently, a Chalmers Fellowship and Dora Mavor Moore Award for his 15-instrument, live theatre soundscape work in, Obaaberima.
Aquaa’s clients include: CBC, UNDP, Harbourfront, FACTOR, JUNO Awards, FIFA, Toronto/ Ontario/ Canada Arts Councils, Carassauga, Irie Music Fest, Toronto Urban Music Festival, RMW, Grayson Matthews, Lucky Ejim, Metro Zoo, bcurrent, African Theatre Ensemble, Buddies In Bad Times, Ensemble Noir, COBA, Andrew Craig, MSF, Steven Lewis Foundation.
A billboard poster-boy for Toronto’s vibrant “West Queen West” arts, fashion and entertainment triangle, Kobe is sought after as an entertainer of Presidents and preschoolers. His Djungle Bouti Orchestra is a “who’s who” powerhouse of R&B, jazz and continental African artists. Their new CD, Djazz 2.1.4, is acclaimed as “the audio decoding of African DNA.” As a coach, collaborator and consultant he has taught over 10,000 people African drumming, and worked with Kardinal Official, Divine Brown, Mark Kelso, Rich Brown, Zelma Badu, Orin Isaacs, Jackie Richardson and more.
DEREK THORNE
IG: @soundslikederekthorne
TT: @derekthorne1
FB: @derekthorne
LI: www.linkedin.com /in/derek-thorne0210b890/?
Derek Thorne was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago. In 1991 he began learning percussion under Glen Clarke during his English Literature B.A. at McGill University. He later studied latin percussion with Cuban legend Changuito and Toronto salsa doyen Luis Orbegoso, and Manden drumming in Burkina Faso. Derek’s versatility has made him a staple percussionist in Toronto’s music scene as a dance class accompanist, clinician, in-house talent at several event companies, and sideman. He records, performs, and tours with bluesman Sugar Brown, funk band The Soul Motivators, award-winning arts-in-education company Hoza!, JUNO winners Kobo Town, calypso legends David Rudder and Calypso Rose, and others. Classical music collaborators include the Bach Children’s Chorus, the St. Michael’s Cathedral Boys Choir, and the Canadian Children’s Opera Company. He has toured in North America, Europe, the Caribbean, west Africa, and Malaysia. Media appearances include The PopGuru Revue, Breakfast Television, CBC Sounds of the Season, and ET Canada New Year’s Eve with Sam Roberts Band. Studio credits include Aline Morales’ JUNOnominated Flores, Tambores e Amores, Kobo Town’s Jumbie in the Jukebox, Joni Nehrita’s Love and Protest, and The Soul Motivators’ Do the Damn Thing and Do It Together.
JOSHUA LUCAS
In less than 10 years, Joshua Lucas has blazed his own trail of a career in the music and entertainment scene in Toronto. Known as “the Future” in the Caribbean community, Lucas has taken a role as a cultural preserver of authentic Jamaican music and culture through deejaying, live music, event promotion and music production.
Driven by the record collection of his family, Joshua began deejaying and playing drums, steel pan and piano by the age of 9. In the years following, His music selection, versatility, mixing and knowledge began getting attention from hearts around Toronto including industry heavy hitters such as Jones and Jones Productions, which led to his premiere on JAMBANA Festival at the tender age of 15.
He has shared stages with many international artists and deejays including Shabba Ranks, Yellowman, Koffee and Marcia Griffiths to name a few. Today, Joshua continues to preserve and promote Reggae culture through his own event “Skankin’ Sweet: The Spirit of Reggae Music”. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Joshua expanded his endeavours to livestreaming through the Twitch platform and soundclash culture through the newly organized National Soundclash League and Team Eastsyde collective. Internationally Lucas has played in Turks & Caicos, England & Trinidad & Tobago, and has been honoured as the 2020 National Soundclash League Champion, 2022 Clash of the New Generation Champion and nominated as a 2023 Reggae Juno Nominated Songwriter.
DJ LADY Q
Shaquilla Alexander also know as Lady Q is a rising DJ on the Toronto music scene. Born and raised in Toronto, Shaquilla comes from Trinidadian and Antigua roots, so it is no surprise that her favorite genres to spin are soca and calypso—though you can find her cutting it up on any genres. From weddings 55 to boat cruises, Lady Q is known to get the party started when needed and to follow the temperament of the room to know exactly what the crowd needs. Her joy as a DJ comes from being able to see people free up, people enjoying the sound of music and being able to experience something they may never forget.
IG/YT/TT/FB: @joshuaxlucas
IG: @ladyq_dj
SPECIAL THANKS
TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL HARD WORK IN MAKING FLOW FEST 2023 A HUGE SUCCESS!
VENDORS
Event Planner
Raquel John-Matuzewiski of Raquel John Events
@raqueljohnevents
Decor
Samantha Nicole of Your Main Event
www.yourmainevent.ca
Stylist
Val Andrews of Stylin By Val
@stylin.by.val
Daniel Gregwah, Sound Engineer
Sharon DiGenova, Stage Manager and Tech Consultant
Mercedez Thomas, Event Administrator
Caterer
Garfield Houston
@open_appetite
Production Graphic Design/Video
Jesse Ryan of Fwe Culture Design
@fweculturedesign
Video Director/
Videographer
Mookey Wade and Jacquev
Colaire of Mookey Media
@mookeymedia
