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One of the most vibrant and unique musicians and performers in Toronto, KC Roberts has stood out as the most intriguing act on every bill he's ever played. Winner of the INDEPENDENT MUSIC AWARDS " 2007 BEST LIVE ACT," KC brings with him a tight and animated horn.. section, two knockout female back up vocalists, and a rhythm section built to make believers out of anyone. Even when opening for the Black Eyed Peas on the indie stage at Molson Amphitheatre, the dancing crowd shouted for
KC and his band to keep playing, rather than return to their seats for the main event. Defying today's paper thin labels, KC Roberts brings a fierce sound that seamlessly blends funk and jazz with contemporary hip hop, house, jungle and rock. And, although KC pushes away from the ..predictable, the music is unforgettably catchy and blossoms in the
listener long..after the band has left the stage.
KC Roberts has many talents that make him stand out in today's parade
of bands. Besides being the composer and arranger of his 8 piece funk
orchestra, he is also a guitarist unlike any other. As a singer, KC
draws on diverse influences. The spirits Sly Stone, Jay Kay, Al Green, John
Legend and Eddie Vedder have painted KC's voice and its personality. However, KC also brings a dynamic hip-hop influence to the table, and his skills as an MC never fail to bring the crowd to its feet.
KC has made many musical contributions both domestically and
abroad. KC and his various original groups have shared the stage with such big
names as The Black Eyed Peas, Z-trip, Talib Kweli, Rihanna, Jimmy Cliff, The
Pocket Dwellers, DJ Serious and Jim Cuddy. KC has also contributed
guitar work to music by Grammy-nominated gospel artist, Martha Munizzi,
when she played in Toronto earlier this year. Not to mention, another
side of KC's playing is deeply rooted in jazz. One notable concert
found KC playing guitar at the late Montreal Bistro alongside
critically acclaimed pianist and composer Dave Restivo, and Matt Dusk's present
drummer Larnell Lewis. That night KC met and received very encouraging
words regarding his arranging and guitar playing from Canada's own
David Clayton Thomas.
KC and band, the Raw Blue, knocked out the Drake Hotel for the first
time at Canadian Music Week 2005. "We were all reeling from their
infectious groove and ecstasy-esque energy. Their spirited auras
refreshed the crowd," raved Chart Attack Magazine's Christine Estima
following the show. The Drake Hotel was so impressed with KC's past
performances that they asked him to host their sold-out New Years 2007
bash. KC has also since played Canadian Music Week in 2007 alongside
God Made Me Funky to create one of the largest funk shows Revival Bar has
ever seen.
In addition, KC Roberts Played the 2007 Freedom festival for over 10,000 people. KC played at the 2007 Beaches Street Festival, 2007 Toronto Distillery Jazz Festival, 2007 North by North East Festival and the Markham Jazz festival. He was also accepted to play at the Canadian Organization of Campus Activities showcase in Windsor Ontario. KC and Band have played twice to a jam packed Mod Club alongside Panic and the Rebel Emergency. As well as has headling, dropping jaws and filling the house at such venues as Lee's Palace, the Rivoli, Drake, Revival, El mocambo, Clintons, and the Reverb.
After Playing on many bills along side such acts as the Salads, Z-trip, Down
with Webster, Tomi Swick, The Tangiers, The Pocket Dwellers, Planet
Earth, Plan C, Dope Poets Society and Blues Underdog, KC decided to
create his own funk event, called GETTUP 'N BOUNCE (www.gettupnbounce.com). The hugely successful events were sponsored by Sam the Record Man, and took place throughout the summer of 2006. The idea was to invite KC's favourite up and coming Toronto artists to play with the Raw Blue. The guests, which included celebrated Toronto MC, D-Sisive, and R&B/soul singers Syreeta Neal and Matt York, had their own original material rearranged by KC for the 9-piece Raw Blue, and the all live masterpieces blew the crowds away. The band even took the show out to Montreal and found a hugely receptive new audience.
KC Roberts and the Raw Blue's studio debut, the 11-track It All Went Down, sold over 500 copies and has been very well-received. With a new disc being mixed and recorded, 200* will be an exciting new year for KC Roberts. The upcoming year will hopefully find KC taking his music across Canada, and eventually the US and Europe, as fans overseas are already calling his name.
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