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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, featuring 15 brand new songs, is no exception. Opening with the irresistible sing-along “A Friend Like You”, the album 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’s CDs are much acclaimed in the children’s music world. His last CD HAPPY ALL OF THE TIME earned a 2006 Juno Nominee for “Children’s Album of the Year”and his debut CD TAKE A LITTLE RIDE WITH ME won the prestigious Parents’ Choice Gold Award in 2004, as one of the Top 10 audio CDs for children in North America.

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 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 included on Casablanca Kids compilations with Fred Penner, Jack Grunsky, Sharon Lois & Bram and more, being distributed throughout North America, is regularly featured on California Library Association podcasts, and receive 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.

11/07

 

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