Alex Bird music @ All About Jazz

Updated: May 24, 2021

Born: September 18, 1990

THE STORY...

Alex Bird is a Jazz singer/songwriter in Toronto, ON. With a swinging style and an indescribable charm, Alex is currently working on an entirely new chapter in the Great American Songbook, with his newly released debut album, “Whisky Kisses” (Oct 23rd, 2020). The album is comprised of 11 new original songs. The title track was released in May of 2020 and was awarded Best Jazz Song at the World Songwriting Awards. “The Way She Moves” was released as a debut single in November of 2019. It was featured on All About Jazz as track of the day and was awarded the #1spot in reader favourites on Jazziz Magazine’s “Inside Track”.

“Whisky Kisses” has already had a great response. Reviews and airplay have come in from Canada, USA, Mexico, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Russia, UK, and many others. Reviews are still coming in, including having the album picked up and distributed into stores all around Japan.

Alex and the Jazz Mavericks were also just awarded a grant by the Canada Council for the Arts to fully fund a second album, due for release in 2021.

And in April of 2021, Alex joined Jazzcast.ca where he is the host of his own show entitled, “I’m Old Fashioned”, a weekly journey to the land of the crooners and torch singers; showcasing the lesser heard gems.

Alex literally grew up with the classics. As a young boy he was taken to hang around the Toronto Jazz scene, and had the opportunity to see and meet many of the greats along the way; Tony Bennett, Diana Krall, Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, Mel Torme, Ray Charles...the list goes on. Without even knowing it, his musical training developed, sitting around at smoky Jazz clubs into the wee small hours of the morning.

With influences spanning from the 20s to the 70s, Alex Bird is a writer of incredible precision and lyrical depth. Working with a killer line up of young musicians, dubbed “The Jazz Mavericks”, they are pushing the boundaries of a beautiful tradition and bringing it into a new era. The Jazz Mavericks are rising stars in their own right. Ewen Farncombe on piano, Eric West on drums, Leighton Harrell on bass, and Jacob Gorzhaltsan on sax/clarinet.

2019 was a very busy year, Alex and his band played steadily across the city, quickly becoming one of the new exciting bands to see. 2020 started off with lots of continued momentum before COVID put a stop to much of the entertainment industry.

On May 21st, 2020, Alex was the subject of the opening night short film of the Canadian Film Fest. Music from the the short film is from Alex’s debut album. Because One Day tells the story of how Alex was adopted from Romania and grew up going to the Jazz clubs in downtown Toronto. Alex was awarded “Best Music” by the Canadian Film Festival Jury; a category that had such fellow nominees as Juno Award winner, and Grammy nominee, Hilario Duran.

In between singing gigs, Alex also graces the screen with incredible charisma and talent. Alex studied classical theatre acting at George Brown, and film acting at Humber. Most recently, he appeared on CBC's “Frankie Drake Mysteries” as Al Capone, and in September of 2019 Alex made his feature film debut in “IT: Chapter 2” alongside, Bill Hader.

Alex Bird isn’t a retro act. He has the ability to guide you through the darkest night and to open your eyes to possibility of love in a gridlocked street. He is heart breaking and full of spontaneous and improvised magic.

Welcome to the stylish and textured world that is ALEX BIRD.

Awards

World Songwriting Awards Winter 2020: Best Jazz Song - "Whisky Kisses" Canadian Film Fest (May 2020) - Best Music for "Because One Day" Unsigned Only Competition (2020) - Jazz Semi-Finalist World Songwriting Awards Summer 2020: Top Finalist Recognition - "Lemon Drop Stars"

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”Some lazy journalists and singing fans are trying to say that Canadian vocalist Alex Bird is a rival to fellow Canuck Michael Buble’. Well, after listening to his smoking debut, that critique is like saying that Kamasi Washington is a rival to Kenny G! As my daughter once said about Buble’, “If I want to listen to Mel Torme’, I’ll put on Mel Torme’”. Buble’ is “safe”, where as the more dangerous Bird, on the other hand, is the word! Bird’s writing, like his delivery, already has a completely underivative feel, with one foot in the tradition and the other in the dimly lit side streets.” – George Harris at Jazz Weekly (USA)

“Very much a modern take on the traditions of the Great American Songbook, Bird resonates with a quality parallel to Tony Bennett or Harry Connick Jr., and this debut album easily solidifies him as a highly skilled artist with both intimate and adventurous song craft that sounds as great today as it will 30 years from now.” - Tom Haugen at Take Effect Reviews (USA)

“Vocals are a rival to Michael Bublé with a dash of Edwyn Collins

“Vocals are a rival to Michael Bublé with a dash of Edwyn Collins. Edgy stuff. Possibly the new Elvis? Too much? Check it out yourselves.” - ALL ABOUT JAZZ

“The slow-footed 3:52 (In the Morning) is a potential future classic. Whisky Kisses is a luscious, well-performed collection of originals that will appeal to fans of both ballads and up-tunes from the 1930s to the 1950s.” - Jeremy Isaac at JAZZ JOURNAL (UK)

“Crooners who not only sing in style according to classical etiquette, but also write their own lyrics are rather rare. Canadian Alex Bird is one of the few exceptions. In short, it is all there: The voice, the class, the sensuality and above all the feeling for both pathos and swing. Eleven songs that fit perfectly into the repetoire of “The Great American Songbook”. GEORGES TONLA BRIQUET at JAZZ’HALO (Belgium)

“I am somewhat skeptical about comparisons with the shadows of the great vocalists of the past. No, Alex Bird will not become the second Sinatra, although he works in the same stylistic field. He has already become the first Alex Bird, and if the trends outlined by Whisky Kisses continue in the future, this name will sound louder and louder.” - LEONID AUSKERN at JAZZ QUAD (Russia)

“Bird will captivate any listener with his sultry and mellow voice that has just that touch of smokiness which both manages to serve as a hark back to the era of golden jazz crooners like Sinatra and Bennett but also brings us into the present with a freshness that breathes new life into the traditional aspects of the genre. The influence of jazz bigwigs such as Bennett, Baker and Fitzgerald on the golden throated vocalist is apparent; Bird adds a distinct charm to his stylings while bringing that timeless classiness along into his new take on the past. Title track Whisky Kisses is a beautiful ballad that closes the album on a melancholic yet positive note, a sign that there’s much more to come from this astounding new talent.” - Kati Kiilaspea at THE WHOLE NOTE (Canada)

“Alex Bird, if you haven't heard his name, you soon will. The Toronto based jazz singer just released his debut album, “Whisky Kisses.” Alex brings a modern twist to the classic crooners of days gone by. You can imagine yourself putting on the record, lighting a fire, and pouring yourself a drink. His intimate lyrics and smooth vocals immediately pulls you in. It's an album you're certain to play again and again.” - Bleu Bop (USA)

“Considering that Whisky Kisses is a debut album, I have to bow in respect. For the Romanian- born, Canadian crooner, Alex Bird, really manages to put himself on stage with his songs and his great voice. With the debut, he really appears as a challenger to his compatriot, Michael Bublé. The material on Whisky Kisses - the total of 11 tracks - has an old fashioned standard vibe over it, but all tracks are original, written and created by Bird himself - along with others. And it swings - optimistic, refreshing and cheerful. At times nostalgic, melancholy and tormented. But always with a sure sense of the entertainment value, the communication, the narrative.” - IVAN ROD Journalist, reviewer, author and editor (Copenhagen)

“Some critics say that Alex Bird is walking a line between Bublé and Elvis. His voice is familiar yet fresh, easy to listen to, and confidently clear. His band, The Jazz Mavericks, are a hard-swinging trio featuring Ewen Farncombe (piano,B3,rhodes), Eric West (drums) and Scott Hunter (bass). Together they’ve been taking Toronto by storm and turning heads across Canada, the US and Europe. “ - David Reed at THE BELLEVILLE INTELLIGENCER (Canada)

“Alex Bird and the Jazz Mavericks reveal a vital, original, and intimate passion with their debut album Whisky Kisses. The album is due out October 23 2020. The magic of Whisky Kisses is borne out of original songs that reflect the ambience of let’s say the noted American Songbook (The Gershwins, Cole Porter) without copying them. This album is special and will launch a new career.” - JOHN EMMS is a veteran music journalist, musician/songwriter, and Juno Awards Judge. (Canada)

“I can’t get enough of Alex’s vocals. His voice is a potent part of the Jazz Mavericks’ sound. The amount of musicality expressed in just the first few notes of Whisky Kisses is enough to captivate the coldest of hearts - and the moments of emotionality, intimacy, and sheer talent that follow are sure to immortalize Alex Bird and the Jazz Mavericks in the minds of listeners everywhere.” - Jon W. at RADIO AIRPLAY (USA)

“Alex Bird is an incredible singer, songwriter, and performer. With his trademark look, he is impressing musicians and fans alike every time he steps out on the stage.” – JAZZ MONTHLY (USA)

“I finally had the pleasure of seeing up-and-coming Jazz vocalist Alex Bird perform live. To say that I was impressed would be a hyperbolic understatement. With his lush tone and fluttering vibrato, Alex Bird has one of the most entrancing voices I've ever heard on the Toronto Jazz Scene. His style and effortless approach immediately brought to mind legendary crooner Bobby Darin” - Joe Thomas at MADFORJAZZ (Canada)

“Alex is considered a serious contender to his compatriot Michael Bublé. I suddenly want a good whisky! And dim lights.” – Zap Pow at MEDIAPART (France)

“We love Alex Bird’s debut, “The Way She Moves” …waiting for more.” LOUDCITY.FM (Romania)

“Alex Bird is an up and coming artist who is so full of charisma, and charm, and raw talent. We have no doubt he is destined for great things.” – Bern Euler DIRECTOR OF THE CANADIAN FILM FESTIVAL

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