Tchukon
Tchukon | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Genres | Funk, R&B |
| Years active | 1978–1990 |
| Labels | Aquarius Records |
| Past members | Warren "Slim" Williams Kat Dyson Harold Fisher Ingrid Stitt Eric Roberts |
Tchukon was a
Background
The band consisted of singer and keyboardist Warren "Slim" Williams, singer and guitarist Kat Dyson, bassist Harold Fisher, saxophonist Ingrid Stitt and drummer Eric Roberts,[2] and was formed in 1978 after Williams, Dyson and Roberts all moved to Montreal, Quebec from their original home in Norfolk, Virginia.[3] In Montreal, they added Fisher, also an American immigrant, and Stitt, the band's only Canadian-born member.[4] The band took its name from a Russian language word for the point at which the physical world and the cosmic world merge.[4]
In their early years, the band regularly performed both in Montreal and on tour,
Rock Wars and Star Search
In 1985, they competed on Rock Wars,[7] winning the competition over finalists Eye Eye, HB Concept and Peter Mann and the Lonely.[8] Their prize included CA$100,000 and a half-hour CBC Television special, which they then submitted as their demo for the 1986 Star Search.[8] They were named Best Vocal Group in the latter competition, winning a prize of US$100,000.[2] They were the first Canadian-based act ever to win a Star Search category.[9]
Their Star Search win sparked interest from record labels,[10] and the band ultimately signed with Aquarius Records.[11]
The band garnered a Félix Award nomination as Anglophone Artist of the Year at the 1986 awards.[12]
During this era, the band was managed for several years by athlete and broadcaster Sylvia Sweeney.[13]
Album
They used their prize money from Rock Wars and Star Search to begin the process of writing and recording their first album.
Breakup
The band had begun recording songs for its second album[17] when the project was put on a brief hiatus so that several members, including Dyson, could perform in Donald K. Tarlton's production of Dream of a Lifetime, a musical about the life of Marvin Gaye.[8] This, and the various other projects in which the band members were involved, significantly impacted the band's creative momentum; while they never officially announced a breakup,[17] the second album was never completed or released.
Williams went on to produce an album for
Dyson went on to success as a session musician, joining
Stitt went on to become a music teacher at Burnaby North Secondary in Burnaby, British Columbia.
The band reunited for a one-off concert performance in Montreal in 2013.[19]
References
- ^ a b Rhythm and blues at The Canadian Encyclopedia.
- ^ Montreal Gazette, February 15, 1986.
- ^ "U.S. band goes from talent contest to career - in Canada". Ottawa Citizen, October 9, 1987.
- ^ a b c "Some funky fusion from Tchukon". The Globe and Mail, February 4, 1982.
- ^ Montreal Gazette, February 7, 1985.
- Montreal Gazette, December 9, 1985.
- Montreal Gazette, June 17, 1985.
- ^ ISBN 9781459721951. p. 143.
- ^ "Canadian rock group wins U.S. TV contest". Toronto Star, February 18, 1986.
- Montreal Gazette, February 22, 1986.
- Montreal Gazette, January 5, 1987.
- ^ "Annual Felix music awards a boost for French Canada". The Globe and Mail, October 9, 1986.
- ^ "Sweeney's always won one-on-one". The Globe and Mail, July 29, 1995.
- Montreal Gazette, January 2, 1987.
- Montreal Gazette, June 11, 1987.
- ^ "6 Juno nominations for Adams". The Globe and Mail, September 15, 1987.
- ^ Montreal Gazette, January 31, 1991.
- Montreal Gazette, March 18, 1990.
- ^ Montreal Gazette, February 8, 2013.