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(Download
this bio as a pdf)
 Like
a finely written children’s book, a Jake CD is crafted
with children in mind, but it is the whole family that listens
and enjoys, over and over again.
That’s because award-winning musician Jake Differ
believes that music should never underestimate children.
His lyrics make children laugh or dream, but they’re
never simplistic. His rhythms make little feet dance, but
they’re rich and varied, and borrow from many different
musical styles. You can sing along with his melodies, but
they’re fresh and new.
Jake’s latest album, ZIGGY ZAGGY ROAD, which won a
2008 Parents’ Choice Recommended Award, is no exception.
ZIGGY ZAGGY ROAD opens with the irresistible sing-along
“A Friend Like You”, winds by oceans (“Sailing
Man”, “Georgia Strait”), zooms into deepest
“Space”, explores the quiet wonder of “My
Garden”, joins a raucous animal party “On the
Bayou”, before making one last stop in a special place
with the uplifting “Peace Waits For Us There”.
The album touches with joy and sensitivity on the many things
that children love and grown-ups cherish: home, friends,
animals, tales of adventure – in fact, everything
wonderful about life on this planet.
Richly produced, ZIGGY ZAGGY ROAD features two-time Juno
Nominee Cadence (adding hilarious vocal a capella inserts
to “The Three-Eggs Busy-Legs Social Band”),
CCMA Award winning string player Chris Krienke, Juno Nominee
and Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion Pierre Schryer,
the Peterborough Children’s Chorus, and many other
talented
musicians throughout. Even four-time Olympian Silken Laumann
makes an appearance, with a spoken word interlude on bonus
track “Child’s Play”, which Jake wrote
as the theme song for Laumann’s best-selling book
of the same name.
Jake is much acclaimed in the children’s music world.
His debut CD TAKE A LITTLE RIDE WITH ME won a 2004 Parents’
Choice Gold Award, HAPPY ALL OF THE TIME earned a 2006 Juno
Nomination for “Children’s Album of the Year”
and
a 2006 Parents’ Choice Approved Award, and his most
recent release ZIGGY ZAGGY ROAD was given a 2008 Parents’
Choice Recommended Award. Jake’s songs are also included
on compilations with such well-known children’s artists
as
Fred Penner, Jack Grunsky and Sharon Lois and Bram, including
the 2006 NAPPA Gold Award Winner “Lullabies”.
Jake’s unforgettable live performance has become a
popular favourite at festivals and events across Canada
from
Vancouver to Halifax, including the Toronto Street Festival,
the Burlington Children’s Festival, the Sound of Music
Festival, and 100,000 people at the annual “Day Out
With Thomas” events. His “hilarious, lively
and engaging” solo
set continues to enthrall children in libraries, schools,
and private functions.
Jake has been a professional bass player, guitar player
and singer for most of his adult years, and began writing
music
and recording children’s music several years ago.
He lived for two years in the inspiring natural beauty of
Pender
Island, BC, and now makes his home in Peterborough, Ontario.
His music is regularly featured on California Library
Association podcasts, and receives constant radio airplay
across the United States. His book “The I-Thought-I-Saw
Zoo”, co-written with Grade One children, now resides
in a Toronto school library.
Jake’s CDs are available at fine children’s
book and toy stores across Canada through national distributor
FIRE THE
IMAGINATION (1-888-780-0864) or online at www.musicbyjake.com.
For
more information about Jake’s live performances, or
to book Jake (solo or with band) for a family-oriented event,
contact Jake at info@musicbyjake.com.
08/08
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