The Abrams Brothers
| The Abrams | |
|---|---|
|
The Abrams Brothers at the Toronto International Film Festival, Canadian Film Centre Annual BBQ 2012 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Kingston, Ontario |
| Genres | Bluegrass, folk, rock, country |
| Website |
www |
| Members |
John Abrams James Abrams |
The Abrams, (formely The Abrams Brothers) are a Canadian band composed of fourth-generation musicians John Abrams and James Abrams. Their music is a combination of bluegrass, country, and folk-rock[1] with story-telling lyrics[2] that has been called "newgrass."[3] They have performed with acts such as John Hammond, Feist, and Dean Brody.
Biography
The Abrams have been performing together since John was 11 and James was 9.[3] In 2005, the group became the youngest Canadians to perform at the Grand Ole Opry[1] and were also named Emerging Artist of the Year at the Canadian Bluegrass Music Awards.[4] In 2006, they received the Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin.[1]
The Abrams released a Bob Dylan and Arlo Guthrie tribute album entitled Blue On Brown in 2009.[5] Arlo Guthrie responded to the record by saying the band was "way too young to be playing that good. I know I will be hearing from The Abrams Brothers for a long time to come."[6]
The band released their first album of original material Northern Redemption in 2011 on Fontana North/United For Opportunity. The album was produced by Canadian singer-songwriter/producer Chris Brown formerly of The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir, whose credits include The Barenaked Ladies, Ani DiFranco, and Tony Scherr.[1] According to Much Music, “Bluegrass is the backdrop of this group but they fit somewhere nicely in between the country and non country worlds."[7]
The Abrams have been involved in many community service projects in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario, including the Robinson Community Garden, which supplies the local Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, and Martha's Table. [8] In spring 2012 they launched the Musicville Ontario initiative, in which they donated $1000 to a local music education charity.[9] Regarding their community efforts, John Abrams said, "Our main goal of music ever since we were little kids has always been to touch the lives of others in a good way. If we can do something like this with our music, with these kinds of programs and contests, if we can do something to change a life, or touch the life of a young person who has an aspiration to be a musician, then we have done our job, and that is the greatest feeling."[9]
The Abrams are releasing their newest EP on May 20, 2016, via Warner Music Canada. The EP was produced by Gavin Brown at Noble Street Studios in Toronto, Ontario. The first single from the album, "Fine" was released April in Canada. [10]
Members
The band members are:
- John Abrams - vocals, guitar
- James Abrams - vocals, violin
Discography
- Carrying On (2004)
- Iron Sharpens Iron (2007)
- Blue On Brown (2008) - United for Opportunity
- "Mermaid Town" (Single) (2010) - United For Opportunity
- Northern Redemption (2011) - United for Opportunity
- The Abrams (2016) - Warner Music
References
- 1 2 3 4 "The Abrams Brothers Biography". Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ "Channel One News: The Abrams Brothers". Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- 1 2 "The Abrams Brothers: From Bluegrass to 'Newgrass'". Cashbox Canada. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ "CMT: The Abrams Brothers". Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ "The Abrams Brothers", The Toronto Star, 12 March 2009
- ↑ "Live On Stage: The Abrams Brothers". Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ "Matt Tracks: January 23–29". Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ "Sowing the seeds of community spirit". The Kingston Whig-Standard. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- 1 2 "The Abrams Brothers back music education". Kingston This Week. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ↑ "The Abrams | Warner Music Canada". Warner Music Canada. Retrieved 2016-04-08.