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JAMES CANNINGS, international recording musician/businessman, accomplished guitarist, keyboardist, composer, arranger, songwriter, producer, TV host and studio engineer — born in Guyana,
and ex-bandleader of J.C. Intruders—is a virtual one-man band and, as such, has created a niche for himself. He travels with his guitar and amplifier to hospitals, nursing homes, senior
centers, hospices, schools, colleges, libraries, universities, and international festivals to share his reggae/world beat renditions. He plays Reggae, Ska, Calypso, Latin, Funk, Blues, R & R, Pop, Highlife, Jazz etc. Ska, Reggae, Highlife & Jazz CDs, DVDs, Cassettes,
Videos, T Shirt sale.
Cannings says, "I am a student of the universe; it's my mission to aid in the spiritual upliftment of mankind through positive, thought-provoking lyrics." DOWNLOAD TRACKS
Cannings can attest to "Miracles" through the healing POWER of music, having struck receptive chords of response in patients at institutions where he has performed.
Through a unique blend of comedy, dance, music, and lecture routines, Cannings also offers programs in Substance Abuse, Social Studies, and Multi -Cultural/Global Studies. His hit single, "Don't Drink and Drive," is a staple in Junior High Schools in New York. He has performed it for students via the NYC Department of Transportation's Safety and Health Education Program; and it is a feature in the observance of National Alcohol Awareness Month (April).
A degree from Baruch College in International Marketing facilitates management of all aspects of his career. "Music is a business", he explains. " I can take a song from the mind to the market through all the necessary processes". Armed with this business savvy, Cannings founded J.C. Records , JGC Entertainment Co., Can Can Music Publishing, and co-founded Capricorn Audio and Video Cassette Duplication Company. He also was founder and owner of Cannings Recording Studio, Inc .—the first and only black-owned 24-track studio in Manhattan during the time of its existence.
Recently, Cannings founded OOPS—Our Own Performance Society, Inc.—a not-for-profit corporation, which champions performing rights' needs and lobbies on behalf of songwriters and music publishers. OOPS also collects and distributes performance royalties on behalf of songwriters and music publishers . OOPS Statutes
Cannings is proud of sharing his reggae/world vision with US Presidents. By invitation of former President Carter, he was a guest at the White House in 1979; and his files boast responses from Presidents Reagan, Clinton and from NYC´s first African American Mayor, Mayor David Dinkins — acknowledging both their receipt of his music and consideration of his opinions.
In. 2001, the United Nations passed resolution A/RES/55/282 designating Sept. 21, of each year as International Peace Day. Visit: www.idpvigil.com/ www.peaceoneday.org for International Peace Day up to date info. "As an entertainer/ businessman I am committed to world peace." James, sponsored through ACHEE, www.achee.org has and continues to perform for all vigils since 2001. Vigils are held each year at New York City's Central Park Bandshell. This year I will be performing for the Vigil on Sept. 22, 2007. The Vigil will be held at the same place from 9AM-6PM. All are invited. www.vigil4internationalpeace.org
James Cannings has been releasing records since 1975. Reggae, Ska, Highlife & Jazz CDs, DVDs, Cassettes, Videos, T Shirt sale His first single on Empire Records (U.S.A)— released in the W.I., Africa and Canada by WIRL Records— was #32 on the top 40 charts of WHSB radio in the U.S. Tyrone Downie, keyboardist with Bob Marley & the Wailers programmed James´ U.S. A/C crossover record "As Time Goes On", that was listed in the 1986 Gavin Report Adult Contemporary Chart. Downie played keyboards on this recording. In the West Indies, James was keyboardist with Jackie Opel, vocalist of the Troubadours of Barbados. James also was instrumental in the initial career development of ("Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot") Arrow. On "The Best of James Cannings," album Arrow sings background vocals on "Dayo."
Cannings has performed many times on U.S. national TV on the Joe Franklin Show . James hosts the "James Cannings Special," aired on Manhattan Neighborhood Network.(MNN) His recent interview with Judy Massa on Voice of America's "Border Crossings" was transmitted around the world via satellite, short-wave radio and the Internet. Listen to Voice of America Interview
Cannings is quoted several times in the book "JACO, The World's Greatest Bass Player." Jaco Pastorius, bassist with Joni Mitchell, Pat Metheny and "Weather Report,"et. al. Jaco performed with—and was a roommate of—Cannings. DOWNLOAD TRACKS
His performance rights group, OOPS, clinched a deal with the Copyright Society of Ghana (COSGA) and the Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK), giving both societies the right to license songs represented by OOPS. Cannings' company, JGC Entertainment Co./JC Records, also has signed a manufacturing and distribution deal with Citirock-Serengeti Music in Ghana. See Billboard
In July 1998, James performed in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Israel. His CDs are also available at Tower Records in Tel Aviv, Israel. See Jerusalem Post Article In Cuba he was interviewed for National TV and performed at the Cuban Jazz Festival with the popular Cuban band Jovenes Clasicos del Son. Recently James traveled to Amsterdam where he performed for Special Ed. Students on behalf of the A2A Music Convention. In the summers of '97, '99, 2001 and 2005, Cannings performed at PANAFEST in Ghana. In 2005 James performed in Ethiopia at Mother Theresa's Orphanage for the HIV infected orphan kids. In London 2002, James performed at the Kashmirklub, Flute's Bar and was interviewed on London's Choice FM radio. In October 2003 James toured Austria (sponsored by Atelier Zeller www.zeller.at) where he also performed at the Hofburg. (Palace of Austrian Royalty, now the home of the Austrian Chancellor)
To date, Cannings has recorded five full-length albums: "Music For All Seasons," "Moments," "The Best of James Cannings," See Midem 2000 Cannes, France Article and "All That Jazz and Blues "- officially in the 48th GRAMMY AWARDS ENTRY LIST 2005. According to Julian Newby - Midem Preview 2003 - " James has re-released his digitally re-mixed album ´All That Jazz and Blues,´ featuring Cannings´ Jazz mentor and friend the late Frank Hewitt, and released in his memory." Reggae, Ska, Highlife & Jazz CDs, DVDs, Cassettes, Videos, T Shirt
-PATRICIA BOOTHE © 1998 J.C. RECORDS™
Photo: Gabriele Zeller
Email Addresses: jcrec10@jamescannings.com™
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