Reggae

‘Surprise is the essence of music’: Sting still has a few tricks up his sleeve in five-show Toronto stint

By Nick Krewen Special to the Star One amazing evening down … four to go. Rock superstar Sting returned to the familiar and intimate surroundings of Massey Hall Friday night for the first of five concerts in six nights at Toronto’s Grand Old Lady, which — if not unprecedented for the venue — certainly is rare. With his longtime guitarist Dominic Miller and recently recruited Mumford & Sons touring drummer…

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‘I’m still a student of music’ — Sting reflects on his long career ahead of his Toronto show

The solo artist and former Police frontman on his history with Toronto, his “unlikely pairing” with Shaggy and his ongoing love of touring. By Nick Krewen Whether it was with The Police or on his own as a solo performer, Sting has always had a special relationship with Toronto. The man born Gordon Sumner in Wallsend, England – and who will be appearing at Budweiser Stage on September 5  – has…


Stevie Wonder releases two songs at the same time in a bid ‘for the world to get better’

Nick Krewen Special to the Star Stevie Wonder has had his kidney transplant and is doing very well, thank you. In the first public acknowledgment that he had experienced the surgery since he announced his intention to undergo the knife last July, the Detroit-born Motown legend said during a virtual press conference from Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon that he was feeling  fine and in good post-surgery health.  “Let everybody know that…


Local reggae king Exco Levi busy uplifting and uniting

Multiple Juno-winning performer, with local shows over the weekend, is working hard to raise commercial profile of a genre that ‘plays in every continent.’ Nick Krewen, Music,  Sat., August 5, 2017 You’d think with five Juno Awards to his credit, Exco Levi would be a household name by now. After all, the 36-year-old Manchester, Jamaica native — who now calls Brampton home — has dominated the Juno Reggae Recording of…


Maxi Priest’s take on Jamaican history

Concert June 28  to mark independence sparks frank talk from reggae star.   . Nick Krewen Special to the Star Published on Wed Jun 27 2012   A very important milestone in Jamaican history is just around the corner. August 6 marks the 50th anniversary of Jamaican independence from British rule, but Toronto’s Caribbean community is marking the occasion six weeks early with Jamaican Rhythms. To be held June 28…