Canadian Songbook Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/canadian-songbook Canadian Songbook is a documentary-style podcast hosted by Juno-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini, celebrating the diverse voices that define Canada's musical landscape. From opera stars and jazz artists to music educators and community leaders, each episode explores how music has shaped the life of one guest at a time, across generations and geographies. Told through candid conversations and warm storytelling, these are the journeys of real people—musicians who honed their voice and found connection in childhood choirs, high school bands, smoky jazz clubs, and summer music camps. You’ll hear how one person's family, heritage, and community helped forge their path to international stages—and how collaboration, creativity, and mentorship continue to shape their uniquely Canadian sound. Whether you are drawn to stories of growth and transformation, curious about creative culture, or simply interested in the lives behind Canada's creative scene, Canadian Songbook offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of what it means to grow through music in Canada. 🎵 This podcast is a growing archive of voices and visions, rooted in rhythm, memory, and home. © 2025 Ernesto Cervini df02e211-9007-558a-91a4-74fa20cee2cd yes Ernesto Cervini TPR Records, LTD Introducing Canadian Songbook en Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:17:40 -0400 Fri, 06 Mar 2026 12:21:42 -0500 http://canadiansongbook.ca https://img.transistorcdn.com/wT_fmY-a5V-T4RhU5-gLE7U1ZKNZgPiX6IyNgVYZQa0/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS81ZmQ4/ZDhjMTZkOGQ3NzI4/MDVhYjk2OTAyYzU3/MDdlZS5qcGc.jpg Canadian Songbook http://canadiansongbook.ca episodic Ernesto Cervini Canadian Songbook is a documentary-style podcast hosted by Juno-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini, celebrating the diverse voices that define Canada's musical landscape. From opera stars and jazz artists to music educators and community leaders, each episode explores how music has shaped the life of one guest at a time, across generations and geographies. Told through candid conversations and warm storytelling, these are the journeys of real people—musicians who honed their voice and found connection in childhood choirs, high school bands, smoky jazz clubs, and summer music camps. You’ll hear how one person's family, heritage, and community helped forge their path to international stages—and how collaboration, creativity, and mentorship continue to shape their uniquely Canadian sound. Whether you are drawn to stories of growth and transformation, curious about creative culture, or simply interested in the lives behind Canada's creative scene, Canadian Songbook offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of what it means to grow through music in Canada. 🎵 This podcast is a growing archive of voices and visions, rooted in rhythm, memory, and home. Canadian Songbook is a documentary-style podcast hosted by Juno-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini, celebrating the diverse voices that define Canada's musical landscape. Music, Canada, Jazz, Interview, Community TPR Records, LTD hello@tprrecords.ca No No Tara Davidson 7 7 Tara Davidson full f64aa9ce-3fe4-44f5-8a8b-1813c8113723 https://canadiansongbook.ca/7 In this episode, saxophonist Tara Davidson joins longtime friend and collaborator Ernesto Cervini for a conversation about memories, music, and the quiet courage of coming into one’s own. From early piano lessons that ended in tears to a formative encounter with Mike Murley in high school, Davidson traces how a shy kid from Brampton, encouraged by a jazz-loving father, grew into one of Canada’s most respected jazz voices. The conversation explores the roots of her many long-standing collaborations, including co-leading the genre-blurring Carn Davidson 9 and performing in Turboprop, led by Cervini, where she found herself pushed physically and musically into new territory. Through laughter and tender reflection, Davidson shares how melody, mentorship, and community continue to shape her evolving sound, offering a portrait of growth grounded in trust, grit, and joy.

]]> In this episode, saxophonist Tara Davidson joins longtime friend and collaborator Ernesto Cervini for a conversation about memories, music, and the quiet courage of coming into one’s own. From early piano lessons that ended in tears to a formative encounter with Mike Murley in high school, Davidson traces how a shy kid from Brampton, encouraged by a jazz-loving father, grew into one of Canada’s most respected jazz voices. The conversation explores the roots of her many long-standing collaborations, including co-leading the genre-blurring Carn Davidson 9 and performing in Turboprop, led by Cervini, where she found herself pushed physically and musically into new territory. Through laughter and tender reflection, Davidson shares how melody, mentorship, and community continue to shape her evolving sound, offering a portrait of growth grounded in trust, grit, and joy.

]]> Wed, 22 Oct 2025 15:17:40 -0400 Ernesto Cervini Ernesto Cervini 2372 In this episode, saxophonist Tara Davidson joins longtime friend and collaborator Ernesto Cervini for a conversation about memories, music, and the quiet courage of coming into one’s own. From early piano lessons that ended in tears to a formative encounter with Mike Murley in high school, Davidson traces how a shy kid from Brampton, encouraged by a jazz-loving father, grew into one of Canada’s most respected jazz voices. The conversation explores the roots of her many long-standing collaborations, including co-leading the genre-blurring Carn Davidson 9 and performing in Turboprop, led by Cervini, where she found herself pushed physically and musically into new territory. Through laughter and tender reflection, Davidson shares how melody, mentorship, and community continue to shape her evolving sound, offering a portrait of growth grounded in trust, grit, and joy.

]]> Music, Canada, Jazz, Interview, Community No Ernesto Cervini TPR Records, LTD Tara Davidson Holly Nimmons 6 6 Holly Nimmons full fdd9bc26-c04a-42da-8426-7ce20678c103 https://canadiansongbook.ca/6 In this episode, Ernesto Cervini sits down with arts advocate and Canadian Music Centre CEO Holly Nimmons for a conversation that weaves music, memory, and social change into one remarkable story. Born into a home where jam sessions happened beside the bassinet and artistry was woven into daily life, Nimmons shares what it meant to grow up as the daughter of legendary Canadian bandleader and educator Phil Nimmons, and how her mother’s musical brilliance shaped her just as deeply. From high school band rooms and theatre stages to activism in midwifery and national arts leadership, she reflects on the enduring power of music to shape identity, empathy, and community. The episode is a warm, wide-ranging portrait of a woman who believes in listening deeply, advocating boldly, and helping others - especially young people - find their voice in the soundscape of Canadian culture.

]]> In this episode, Ernesto Cervini sits down with arts advocate and Canadian Music Centre CEO Holly Nimmons for a conversation that weaves music, memory, and social change into one remarkable story. Born into a home where jam sessions happened beside the bassinet and artistry was woven into daily life, Nimmons shares what it meant to grow up as the daughter of legendary Canadian bandleader and educator Phil Nimmons, and how her mother’s musical brilliance shaped her just as deeply. From high school band rooms and theatre stages to activism in midwifery and national arts leadership, she reflects on the enduring power of music to shape identity, empathy, and community. The episode is a warm, wide-ranging portrait of a woman who believes in listening deeply, advocating boldly, and helping others - especially young people - find their voice in the soundscape of Canadian culture.

]]> Wed, 17 Sep 2025 05:17:00 -0400 Ernesto Cervini Ernesto Cervini 1823 In this episode, Ernesto Cervini sits down with arts advocate and Canadian Music Centre CEO Holly Nimmons for a conversation that weaves music, memory, and social change into one remarkable story. Born into a home where jam sessions happened beside the bassinet and artistry was woven into daily life, Nimmons shares what it meant to grow up as the daughter of legendary Canadian bandleader and educator Phil Nimmons, and how her mother’s musical brilliance shaped her just as deeply. From high school band rooms and theatre stages to activism in midwifery and national arts leadership, she reflects on the enduring power of music to shape identity, empathy, and community. The episode is a warm, wide-ranging portrait of a woman who believes in listening deeply, advocating boldly, and helping others - especially young people - find their voice in the soundscape of Canadian culture.

]]> Music, Canada, Jazz, Interview, Community No Ernesto Cervini TPR Records, LTD Elliot Madore 5 5 Elliot Madore full 9cbe3576-e2c3-48de-9dcd-28b2da513aad https://canadiansongbook.ca/5 In this episode, Grammy-nominated baritone Elliot Madore recounts a journey shaped as much by passion as by serendipity - from childhood days walking around Toronto with a Walkman full of Brahms, to a life-changing encounter with a vocal coach who opened the door to opera. In conversation with host Ernesto Cervini, Madore reflects on formative experiences in Toronto’s youth choirs, the disciplined joy of summer bootcamps with the Toronto All-Star Big Band, and the moment onstage at the Met when he first felt at ease, truly at home in his voice. With humility and humour, he explores how family, identity, and mentorship shaped his artistry, and how opera came to feel deeply personal. It’s a  portrait of musical belonging, and the quiet persistence required to become oneself on the world’s grandest stages.

]]> In this episode, Grammy-nominated baritone Elliot Madore recounts a journey shaped as much by passion as by serendipity - from childhood days walking around Toronto with a Walkman full of Brahms, to a life-changing encounter with a vocal coach who opened the door to opera. In conversation with host Ernesto Cervini, Madore reflects on formative experiences in Toronto’s youth choirs, the disciplined joy of summer bootcamps with the Toronto All-Star Big Band, and the moment onstage at the Met when he first felt at ease, truly at home in his voice. With humility and humour, he explores how family, identity, and mentorship shaped his artistry, and how opera came to feel deeply personal. It’s a  portrait of musical belonging, and the quiet persistence required to become oneself on the world’s grandest stages.

]]> Wed, 13 Aug 2025 07:30:00 -0400 Ernesto Cervini Ernesto Cervini 1747 In this episode, Grammy-nominated baritone Elliot Madore recounts a journey shaped as much by passion as by serendipity - from childhood days walking around Toronto with a Walkman full of Brahms, to a life-changing encounter with a vocal coach who opened the door to opera. In conversation with host Ernesto Cervini, Madore reflects on formative experiences in Toronto’s youth choirs, the disciplined joy of summer bootcamps with the Toronto All-Star Big Band, and the moment onstage at the Met when he first felt at ease, truly at home in his voice. With humility and humour, he explores how family, identity, and mentorship shaped his artistry, and how opera came to feel deeply personal. It’s a  portrait of musical belonging, and the quiet persistence required to become oneself on the world’s grandest stages.

]]> Music, Canada, Community, Opera singer, Canadian opera, Met Opera, Classical music, Toronto opera No Ernesto Cervini TPR Records, LTD Allison Au 4 4 Allison Au full 09cba76b-cd47-41f3-a69b-82feb171f610 https://canadiansongbook.ca/4 In this episode, saxophonist and composer Allison Au reflects on the winding path that brought her to a life in jazz—from childhood days pulling records off her father’s shelves in suburban Toronto, to private saxophone lessons that offered solace after stepping away from school band programs altogether. She speaks with Ernesto Cervini about how a single teacher, Maggie Thompson, sparked her love for the saxophone, and how imposter syndrome nearly kept her from pursuing music altogether. They explore the pivotal role Humber College played in her artistic rebirth, the community that shaped her sound, and the deep relationships within her long-standing quartet. Allison also shares the personal and global threads that shaped her award-winning Migrations project, and how collaboration—with string quartets, vocalists, and trusted bandmates—has become central to her creative process and her voice as an artist. 

]]> In this episode, saxophonist and composer Allison Au reflects on the winding path that brought her to a life in jazz—from childhood days pulling records off her father’s shelves in suburban Toronto, to private saxophone lessons that offered solace after stepping away from school band programs altogether. She speaks with Ernesto Cervini about how a single teacher, Maggie Thompson, sparked her love for the saxophone, and how imposter syndrome nearly kept her from pursuing music altogether. They explore the pivotal role Humber College played in her artistic rebirth, the community that shaped her sound, and the deep relationships within her long-standing quartet. Allison also shares the personal and global threads that shaped her award-winning Migrations project, and how collaboration—with string quartets, vocalists, and trusted bandmates—has become central to her creative process and her voice as an artist. 

]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2025 05:19:00 -0400 Ernesto Cervini Ernesto Cervini 2026 In this episode, saxophonist and composer Allison Au reflects on the winding path that brought her to a life in jazz—from childhood days pulling records off her father’s shelves in suburban Toronto, to private saxophone lessons that offered solace after stepping away from school band programs altogether. She speaks with Ernesto Cervini about how a single teacher, Maggie Thompson, sparked her love for the saxophone, and how imposter syndrome nearly kept her from pursuing music altogether. They explore the pivotal role Humber College played in her artistic rebirth, the community that shaped her sound, and the deep relationships within her long-standing quartet. Allison also shares the personal and global threads that shaped her award-winning Migrations project, and how collaboration—with string quartets, vocalists, and trusted bandmates—has become central to her creative process and her voice as an artist. 

]]> Music, Canada, Jazz, Interview, Community, Allison Au, Female Saxophone, migrations project No Ernesto Cervini TPR Records, LTD Jim Creeggan 2 2 Jim Creeggan full 3aa944b6-bc33-4204-a866-bb404f1d46cb https://canadiansongbook.ca/2 On the inaugural episode of Canadian Songbook, host Ernesto Cervini rewinds the tape with Barenaked Ladies bassist Jim Creeggan, tracing his authentic, unscripted journey from camp jam sessions and high‑school talent shows to the all‑night dubbing spree that birthed the Yellow Tape. Jim recalls the teachers who nudged him toward jazz, the family choir that kept him grounded, and the friends who cheered every off‑beat experiment. It’s a warm, down‑to‑earth portrait of a working musician whose arena‑sized success still grows from the simple joy of playing music with people he loves.

]]> On the inaugural episode of Canadian Songbook, host Ernesto Cervini rewinds the tape with Barenaked Ladies bassist Jim Creeggan, tracing his authentic, unscripted journey from camp jam sessions and high‑school talent shows to the all‑night dubbing spree that birthed the Yellow Tape. Jim recalls the teachers who nudged him toward jazz, the family choir that kept him grounded, and the friends who cheered every off‑beat experiment. It’s a warm, down‑to‑earth portrait of a working musician whose arena‑sized success still grows from the simple joy of playing music with people he loves.

]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400 Ernesto Cervini Ernesto Cervini 3274 On the inaugural episode of Canadian Songbook, host Ernesto Cervini rewinds the tape with Barenaked Ladies bassist Jim Creeggan, tracing his authentic, unscripted journey from camp jam sessions and high‑school talent shows to the all‑night dubbing spree that birthed the Yellow Tape. Jim recalls the teachers who nudged him toward jazz, the family choir that kept him grounded, and the friends who cheered every off‑beat experiment. It’s a warm, down‑to‑earth portrait of a working musician whose arena‑sized success still grows from the simple joy of playing music with people he loves.

]]> Jim Creeggan, Barenaked Ladies, Yellow Tape, Toronto indie music, Scarborough Music Camp, Canadian rock, jazz-trained bassist, collaborative songwriting, Canadian cassette culture, Ernesto Cervini, shuffle demons, Canadian music mentorship, independent music scene, live harmony singing No Ernesto Cervini TPR Records, LTD Mike Murley 3 3 Mike Murley full f06a27b9-8c6b-4801-b06e-d2592ad4d4f3 https://canadiansongbook.ca/3 Saxophonist Mike Murley traces his arc from jam sessions in Windsor, Nova Scotia - where musicians crammed his family’s living room - and the grade-seven trip that first let him hear Phil Nimmons and the Boss Brass live, to busking across Europe with the irreverent Shuffle Demons and discovering the street-level power of jazz.

In this intimate conversation with host Ernesto Cervini - himself a former student - Murley opens up about the craft behind the music, the communities that shaped him, and the quiet courage required to stay true to your artistic vision. Speaking from his Halifax home, he reveals why he contemplates collaboration vs. virtuoso ego, and what the future holds for an artist still discovering new ways to tell his story through sound.

]]> Saxophonist Mike Murley traces his arc from jam sessions in Windsor, Nova Scotia - where musicians crammed his family’s living room - and the grade-seven trip that first let him hear Phil Nimmons and the Boss Brass live, to busking across Europe with the irreverent Shuffle Demons and discovering the street-level power of jazz.

In this intimate conversation with host Ernesto Cervini - himself a former student - Murley opens up about the craft behind the music, the communities that shaped him, and the quiet courage required to stay true to your artistic vision. Speaking from his Halifax home, he reveals why he contemplates collaboration vs. virtuoso ego, and what the future holds for an artist still discovering new ways to tell his story through sound.

]]> Wed, 11 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0400 Ernesto Cervini Ernesto Cervini 1398 Saxophonist Mike Murley traces his arc from jam sessions in Windsor, Nova Scotia - where musicians crammed his family’s living room - and the grade-seven trip that first let him hear Phil Nimmons and the Boss Brass live, to busking across Europe with the irreverent Shuffle Demons and discovering the street-level power of jazz.

In this intimate conversation with host Ernesto Cervini - himself a former student - Murley opens up about the craft behind the music, the communities that shaped him, and the quiet courage required to stay true to your artistic vision. Speaking from his Halifax home, he reveals why he contemplates collaboration vs. virtuoso ego, and what the future holds for an artist still discovering new ways to tell his story through sound.

]]> Mike Murley interview, Canadian jazz saxophonist, Juno Award jazz, Shuffle Demons , Toronto jazz scene, Banff Jazz, Kenny Wheeler , jazz education U of T, Halifax jazz, improvisation, international jazz, Norma Winstone , Canadian jazz, mentors No Ernesto Cervini TPR Records, LTD Introducing Canadian Songbook 1 1 Introducing Canadian Songbook trailer 4af95d42-629b-4478-b71d-cdda13a8bd51 https://canadiansongbook.ca/trailer1 Canadian Songbook invites you into warm, honest conversations with some of Canada’s most remarkable musical voices.

Hosted by Juno-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini, this documentary-style podcast explores how music shapes lives across geographies, generations, and genres.

Whether you're drawn to stories of growth and transformation, curious about creative culture, or simply interested in the lives of some of the people who make up Canada’s vibrant music scene, Canadian Songbook offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of what it means to grow through music in Canada.

Join the conversation.

]]> Canadian Songbook invites you into warm, honest conversations with some of Canada’s most remarkable musical voices.

Hosted by Juno-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini, this documentary-style podcast explores how music shapes lives across geographies, generations, and genres.

Whether you're drawn to stories of growth and transformation, curious about creative culture, or simply interested in the lives of some of the people who make up Canada’s vibrant music scene, Canadian Songbook offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of what it means to grow through music in Canada.

Join the conversation.

]]> Fri, 30 May 2025 14:04:09 -0400 Ernesto Cervini Ernesto Cervini 103 Canadian Songbook invites you into warm, honest conversations with some of Canada’s most remarkable musical voices.

Hosted by Juno-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini, this documentary-style podcast explores how music shapes lives across geographies, generations, and genres.

Whether you're drawn to stories of growth and transformation, curious about creative culture, or simply interested in the lives of some of the people who make up Canada’s vibrant music scene, Canadian Songbook offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of what it means to grow through music in Canada.

Join the conversation.

]]> Music, Canada, Jazz, Interview, Community No Ernesto Cervini TPR Records, LTD