Welcome to Mary Barry's first E-newsletter.

In this issue:

Cd Launch - Red Eye Tonight

It's been an ultra busy year here @ Aurora Music, starting out with the birth of my third recording project Red Eye Tonight and its remarkable "dance of details"… from the arrangements of the pieces to the recording of bed tracks and vocals, through the mixing, mastering, photography, design and lay out, to the manufacturing of the CD. Thanks to Music NL and the Newfoundland & Labrador Arts Council for their help in the birthing process, as well as to the brilliant production team involved.

Red Eye Tonight finally took off with a blast at the St. John's Jazz Festival with the St. John's All Stars (Brian Way, Patrick Boyle, Bill Brennan, Rick Hollett, Mark Peddle & Gary Tilley) and continued on to Bianca's in downtown St. John's on July 28th. From there, its itinerary included a tour of Trinity and the west coast of Newfoundland, followed by a trip overseas to Liverpool (Nova Scotia!), where the band showcased at Contact East and launched the CD at Stayner's in Halifax, a co-presentation with Jazzeast.

CBC Radio

In September, I was invited to perform on the National CBC Radio 2 program Disc Drive, hosted by the incomparable Jurgen Gothe and broadcast live from the Fairmont in St. John's. The show is heard all across the nation and listeners were also able to hear the talented Charlie Barfoot and Andrew Dale accompanying me on guitar and bass. People are still telling me how they were driving home in Charlottetown or in Saskatoon and caught the show. That's the beauty of the CBC. I would like to add that I am very grateful to CBC Radio Newfoundland & Labrador, who also invited me to host this year's Special Christmas Performance Hour, recounting yuletide tales and spinning Christmas classics in the jazz/blues and soul tradition.

Awards

2007 was an auspicious year for recognition of my work. In February, my song "You're In My Skin" made it into the semi-finals in the International Song Contest, the only Canadian song to make it that far in the jazz category. In October I received two nominations for Music NL's Female Artist and Jazz/Blues Artist of the Year Awards and an invitation to open the night's ceremony at the Arts & Culture Centre in St. John's performing the title track from the new CD. All that was exciting enough, but when it was announced that I won both awards, I was over the moon! I must say, I was very honoured and thrilled to be voted for by my peers, and there's nothing quite like being recognized in your home province.

Promotion, Radio & Press

In November, I embarked on a national campaign to promote the CD via the CBC and Radio-Canada networks, as well as Specialty Radio, Satellite Radio and campus, community and commercial radio stations from St. John's to Victoria and as far north as Iqualuit. Red Eye Tonight is currently in heavy rotation in Montreal, placed # 6 on the charts in Edmonton last week, and is being added to radio play lists on a weekly basis. The reviews are flowing in from select media across the country.

Media Quotes

"… a natural musical symbiosis that is second to none. As a jazz singer, Mary possesses a unique ability to deliver her art to us with discipline & frivolity without sensationalism & waste....a single, clear, & vibrant voice that I feel is singular in its feeling, spontaneity, & emotion. Definitely a keeper!"   EJAZZNEWS
"This third independent CD release from two-time winner at the Music Newfoundland 2007 Awards provides more of what has made the singer/songwriter a favourite not only here in Canada but in the U.S. and France as well.... her backing musicians provide just the right mood for Barry's immense talent. " Peterborough This Week
 
"Barry's voice is sultry and expressive, and her band is outstanding....tastefully augmented with guitar, sax, flute, and vibes…" The Intelligencer
"Barry's ability to write and interpret songs is a skill that is difficult to find in most of today's music artists. Barry's voice is smooth and sensational in every way…. Her art is truly original and her consistent style will continue to stand out among other artists."  Ponoka News
"The piano flows along freely and wonderfully; the drums do just as little as they need to, and the brass, wind and percussion instruments add that delicious extra flavour, allowing the room for innovation. The vocals effortlessly switch between English and French and it proves more than pleasant. The almost miraculous aspect of Red Eye Tonight is how the improvisational style often sounds intricately composed; this is how it succeeds as a masterful blend of countless different music and playing styles… so aside from the awards, the competitions, the press releases even, just know that Mary Barry is doing her thing and is doing it beautifully and astonishingly well. The Telegram

Closing 2007 - Opening 2008

So… dat's dat, as we say in Newfoundland. Don't forget to pick up a copy of Red Eye Tonight to add to your collection or give to someone close and far away. Please note that all three of my CD's are now available at Fred's Records and online through www.cdbaby.com. The Red Eye Tonight tour will continue its flight to new territories in the New Year, including stops at the ECMA in Frederction and along the Quebec - Montreal - Ottawa - Toronto corridor in March. I will keep you posted of upcoming news and events and please check out www.marybarry.net for the next moves in The Dance of Details and a fresh new look as we head into a website redesign.

Many Thanks

As 2007 draws to a close, I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you to all those who have supported the cause this past year, who have come out to see the performances and picked up CD's to play and give to friends. No words can express my gratitude to all of you for your kindness. I'd also like to extend my deepest gratitude to the various media who have given generously to the cause, and to brilliant musicians who have enhanced this magical journey. Merci infiniement.

Merry Christmas, Everybody, and all the best in 2008!

Mary Barry

December 21, 2007