Michelle Rasky

With influences stemming from Billie Holiday, Ani Difranco and Stevie Wonder, Michelle Raskys sweet jazzy vocals and "light-hearted, uplifting melodies," (NOW Magazine) form her signature organic hybrid-pop sound. An accomplished singer-songwriter/musician, Michelle won the 2004 OCFF Songs From the Heart/CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award for her song "Into the New". In the past year her first music video charted at 16 on Bravo! Videos and CDBaby.com featured her current disc, Your Loves Like Spring, on their front page. Most recently she performed at the NXNE and Toronto City Roots Festivals and composed music for a short independent film.Michelle has shared the stage with many great artists, including opening for music legends, Odetta and Ian Tyson and critically acclaimed singer- songwriters, Cheryl Wheeler, Eliza Gilkyson and Jesse Winchester. Incorporating elements of jazz and soul with a unique ear for phrasing and a "captivating" (Howard Druckman - eye Weekly) vocal style, her voice seems to effortlessly push and pull at the rhythms of a line, delivering each word with emotional potency. Michelle likes to get inside a lyric. Her "songs of exceptionally high quality" (Greg Quill, Toronto Star) are full of rich imagery and subtle wit. They explore the complexities of relationships, politics and the simplicity of love with depth, poignancy and insight. She offers genuine messages of self awareness and compassion. Her musical back-drop is colourful; an upbeat swing-jazz inspired number, a ballad with country-folk flair, a pop-driven tale with an infectious chorus. The result is "a surprising, fresh CD." (Richard Flohil) The album features her band mates Ed Roman on bass, Ilios Steryannis on drums and artists such as Kurt Swinghammer, Luke Doucet, Kevin Fox (Sarah Harmer), Anne Lindsay, Sarah McElcheran (Hawksley Workman, Sarah Slean), and Juno award winner Paul Neufeld (NOJO). Visit Michelle's website - www.michellerasky.com, for a list of upcoming media appearances. Her CDs are available for sale online at MapleMusic.com, CDBaby.com, iTunes & several other popular download sites.