Editing Music of Newfoundland and Labrador

{{Short description|Canadian culture article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
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[[Newfoundland and Labrador]] is an [[Atlantic Canada|Atlantic Canadian]] province with a [[Folk music|folk musical]] heritage based on the [[Music of Ireland|Irish]], [[English folk music|English]] and [[Music of Cornwall|Cornish]] traditions.  

Newfoundland music, while clearly Celtic and seafaring in its orientation, has an identifiable style of its own. Much of the region's music focuses on the strong seafaring tradition in the area, and includes [[sea shanties]] and other sailing songs. While drawing comparisons in its [[Celtic music|Celtic]] influence to music from neighboring [[Nova Scotia]] and [[Prince Edward Island]], Newfoundland and Labrador music contains more distinct Irish, English, and Cornish influence. Modern traditional musicians include [[Great Big Sea]], [[The Ennis Sisters]] and [[Ron Hynes]].

==History==
A bone flute found at [[L'Anse Amour]] in Labrador is not the first evidence of the presence of music in Newfoundland and Labrador.{{what|then what is? Check this|date=January 2023}} At the time, indigenous [[First Nations in Canada|First Nations]] lived in the area. Little is known for certain of their musical heritage due to the lack of written records, but the [[Beothuk]] people are reputed to have sung and danced; few details are known by modern historians. [[Inuit music]], including percussion and so-called [[Inuit throat singing|mouth-music]], is still performed, although with modern influences. The [[Innu]] also maintain some historical musical practices.

[[England]], [[Ireland]] and [[Scotland]] sent many settlers to eastern Canada, and they brought with them instrumental tunes, ballads, and other musical traditions, which were passed down orally through the generations. During this time, traditional songs evolved, and some acquired new lyrics or melodies.

Marching and military bands were an important part of traditional Newfoundland and Labrador music. Youth groups like the [[Church Lads Brigade]], fraternal organizations, and other groups supported these bands.

Newfoundland's anthem "The [[Ode to Newfoundland]]", was composed by [[Governor of Newfoundland|Governor]] [[Cavendish Boyle]].

[[Christian music]] from Newfoundland and Labrador includes [[hymn]]s and other liturgical music. Missionaries such as those with the [[Moravian Church]] used music to reach out towards native peoples;  a hymn book was published in the [[Inuit languages|Inuit language]] in 1809.

During the 1800s, operas and musical theatre became popular. Charles Hutton (musician) was a well-known performer during the 1880s. Some of these musicians, including [[Georgina Stirling]], became known in Europe. In the early 20th century, [[vaudeville]] took the place of opera in Newfoundland. Satirist [[Johnny Burke (Newfoundland songwriter)|John Burke]] was a noted [[vaudeville]] composer and performer of that era.

==Outside influences==
Beginning in 1921, music from outside of the region became popular, especially after the advent of films with sound and the popularization of cowboy movies. Among the province's noted [[Canadian country music|country]] musicians was [[Harry Martin (musician)|Harry Martin]].<ref name="Motherway2016">Susan H. Motherway. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZYS1CwAAQBAJ&pg=PA117 The Globalization of Irish Traditional Song Performance]''. Routledge; 9 March 2016. {{ISBN|978-1-317-03004-1}}. p. 117.</ref>

During the 1920s and 1930s, [[jazz]] and country music arrived in [[Newfoundland]] and [[Labrador]], both through local [[dance bands]], radio broadcasts and [[phonograph record]]s. These outside musical influences were followed in the 1950s and 1960s by [[R&B]] and [[rock and roll]]. Because of the presence of US military bases, including [[Pepperrell Air Force Base]], locals were exposed to mainstream US radio artists in which were not played on local radio. The American radio station VOUS (Voice of the United States) also broadcast out of St. John's, bringing American popular culture to both the soldiers and the Newfoundlanders. <ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/politics/american-presence-newfoundland-labrador.php "The American Presence in Newfoundland and Labrador"]. ''Heritage Newfoundland & Labrador'' website</ref>

==Modern era==
In the modern era, many people worked to preserve the province's musical heritage. They focused on traditional songs, but also popularized modern tunes in a traditional style, for example Otto Kelland's 1947 composition "Let Me Fish Off Cape St. Mary's". The first hit from a native performer was 1943's "Squid-Jiggin' Ground" by [[Art Scammell]]. Radio programs such as Irene B. Mellon and ''The Big Six'', the television shows ''[[All Around The Circle]]'' (1964) and ''[[Ryan's Fancy]]'', collections such as [[Gerald S. Doyle]]'s Old Time Songs and Poetry of Newfoundland, musicians including accordionists Ray Walsh, [[Wilf Doyle]], [[Omar Blondahl]], John White and the [[McNulty family (musicians)]], and scholars including [[Maud Karpeles]] also contributed to the preservation of Newfoundland and Labrador music. 

Expatriates in Ontario, including [[Harry Hibbs (musician)|Harry Hibbs]] and [[Dick Nolan (musician)|Dick Nolan]] also became well known. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a [[roots revival]] led by the bands [[Ryan's Fancy]], [[Figgy Duff]] and [[The Wonderful Grand Band]] achieved mainstream success in Newfoundland. Other traditional performers to rise to prominence in this period included [[Anita Best]], [[Kelly Russell]], [[Jim Payne (folk singer)|Jim Payne]], [[Émile Benoît]], Rufus Guinchard, The Bay Boys and [[Minnie White (musician)|Minnie White]].

In the 1980s and 1990s, traditional Newfoundland music's popularity dwindled, though rock, [[Punk rock|punk]], [[Heavy metal music|heavy metal]], [[blues]] and other styles developed their own scenes in the region. The province's first [[Punk rock|punk]] band Da Slyme formed in 1977.  The [[Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra]] rose to prominence in this period, and [[jazz]] performers such as the [[Jeff Johnston Trio]] were also well known.<ref>[https://ottawajazzscene.ca/news/6995-jeff-johnston-returns-to-his-trios-musical-roots-and-then-moves-forward-with-his-new-album "Jeff Johnston returns to his trio's musical roots and then moves forward with his new album"]. ''Ottawa Jazz Scene'', by Alayne McGregor 24 April 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/newfoundland-symphony-orchestra-emc/ "Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra"]. ''The Canadian Encyclopedia'', Glenn D. Colton. 12/06/2006</ref> In the early 1990s, [[Young Saints]] and [[Thomas Trio and the Red Albino]] became the first mainstream popular music bands from the province to attract attention outside the province.

The exception to this decline in traditional music's popularity was the Belloram-based group [[Simani]], composed of Bud Davidge and Sim Savory. They recorded a total of 12 albums from 1977 to 1997 and enjoyed success throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

The advent of the [[East Coast Music Awards]] helped stimulate the Atlantic Canadian music scene, and was accompanied by the rise of Ron Hynes, [[Buddy Wasisname]], [[The Irish Descendants]], and Thomas Trio and The Red Albino, while [[Great Big Sea]], The Navigators, and The Punters have also become well known for their mixture of traditional and popular music. A resurgence of traditional Newfoundland music is evidenced by the creation of several popular compilation CDs such as ''The Christmas Wish: Newfoundland Yuletide Favourites'', the ''Downhomer Presents...'' series, and the ''Homebrew'' series (which has sold over 50,000 copies).

In 2008, the [[Atlantis Music Prize]] was established by ''[[The Scope (alternative weekly)|The Scope]]'', and is to be awarded annually to the best new album from Newfoundland and Labrador. The first winning album was ''Another Month'' by [[Mercy, the Sexton]]. In the late 2000s, the local rap group [[Gazeebow Unit]] was noted for its use, whether [[parody|parodic or metaparodic]], of [[Newfoundland English]] in rap music.<ref name="Clarke2010">{{cite book|first=Sandra|last=Clarke|title=Newfoundland and Labrador English|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=moDVp5TTpgcC&pg=PA137|accessdate=19 April 2012|date=1 April 2010|publisher=Edinburgh University Press|isbn=978-0-7486-2617-5|pages=137–}}</ref><ref name="Terkourafi2010">{{cite book|first=Marina|last=Terkourafi|title=The Languages of Global Hip Hop|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YoCETlhOPDEC&pg=PA234|accessdate=19 April 2012|date=22 September 2010|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|isbn=978-0-8264-3160-8|pages=234–}}</ref>

Notable newcomers bringing national and international recognition to the province include [[Hey Rosetta!]], Amelia Curran, [[The Mountains & the Trees]], Sherman Downey, Adam Baxter, AE Bridger, Andrew James O'Brian, [[Don Brownrigg]], [[Damhnait Doyle]], Kat McLevey, The Novaks, and Soap Opera.

Since 2013 the musical, [[Come from Away|Come From Away]] has been a major contributing factor in promoting the province and its people. While the score is mostly original music, the song "Heave Away" is prominently featured in one of the numbers.

==Radio play==
Newfoundland music can be heard on [[CBC Radio One]]'s local programming. 
 
[[VOCM (AM)|VOCM]]'s'' Irish Newfoundland Show with Greg Smith'' Saturday mornings, Sunday mornings on [[CHOZ-FM]]'s ''Jigs and Reels with Danielle Butt'', or [[VOCM-FM]]'s ''Homebrew with Sam Whiffen''.

[[Memorial University of Newfoundland|Memorial University]]'s campus station, [[CHMR-FM]] Radio has several shows dedicated entirely to Newfoundland and Labrador music, including ''Jiggs Dinner with Roland Skinner''. Other stations playing local music are ''Southern Shore Sounds'' (Ferryland), ''Voice of Bonne Bay'' (VOBB), chmr.ca, Mun Radio, CHMR-FM 93.5 FM (Aliant 787 & Rogers 942), CKWR-FM 98.5 FM, [[CJBI-FM]], and Bay Of Islands Radio BOIR.ca. 100.1 CKVB-FM (Corner Brook). 

More Celtic and local music can be heard on ''Celtic Wake Up'' hosted by Zach Snow and ''The NewFound Records Radio Hour'' hosted by Wayne Tucker, both on CHMR.

From Kitchener Waterloo, Ontario on CKWR-FM, a weekly live to air radio show called Jigs & Reels Radio KW with host Dean Clarke. 

==Noted artists==
Modern Newfoundland & Labrador musicians include [[Hey Rosetta!]], folk group [[The Flummies]], rock musician [[David Penashue]] of [[Tipatchimun]] (who sings [[Innu language]] rock),<ref name="Wright-McLeod2005">{{cite book|author=Brian Wright-McLeod|title=The Encyclopedia of Native Music: More Than a Century of Recordings from Wax Cylinder to the Internet|url=https://archive.org/details/trent_0116405745989|url-access=registration|year=2005|publisher=University of Arizona Press|isbn=978-0-8165-2448-8|pages=[https://archive.org/details/trent_0116405745989/page/193 193]–}}</ref><ref>[https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/arts/music-arts.php "Labrador and Aboriginal Music"]. ''Heritage Newfoundland & Labrador'', 2001, Jamie Fitzpatrick</ref> Canadian folk-rock band [[Great Big Sea]], and a Canadian a folk trio [[The Once]].

*[[Duane Andrews]]
*[[Tim Baker (musician)|Tim Baker]]
*[[Anita Best]]
*[[D'Arcy Broderick]]
*[[Buddy Wasisname and the Other Fellers]]
*[[Matthew Byrne (musician)|Matthew Byrne]]
*[[Amelia Curran (musician)|Amelia Curran]]
*[[The Dardanelles (band)|The Dardanelles]]
*[[Alan Doyle]]
*[[Damhnait Doyle|Dahmnait Doyle]]
*[[The Ennis Sisters|Ennis Sisters]]
*[[The Fables (band)|The Fables]]
*[[Jim Fidler]]
*[[Figgy Duff]]
*[[The Flummies]]
*[[Fortunate Ones]]
*[[Bob Hallett|Bob Hallet]]
*[[Hey Rosetta!]]
*[[Harry Hibbs (musician)|Harry Hibbs]]
*[[Ron Hynes]]
*[[Séan McCann]]
*[[Alan Mills (music)|Alan Mills]]
*[[Patrick Moran (musician)|Patrick Moran]]
*[[Joan Morrissey]]
*[[Dick Nolan (musician)|Dick Nolan]]
*[[Fergus O'Byrne]]
*[[The Once]]
*[[Jim Payne (folk singer)|Jim Payne]]
*[[Darrell Power]]
*[[Tom Power (musician)|Tom Power]]
* [[Rum Ragged]]
*[[Kelly Russell (musician)|Kelly Russell]]
*[[Ryan's Fancy]]
*[[Arthur Scammell|Art Scammel]]
*[[Simani]]
*[[Kim Stockwood]]
*[[Ken Tizzard]]
*[[Wonderful Grand Band]]

==See also==
{{Portal|Music|Canada}}
*[[List of Newfoundland songs]]
*[[Corey and Trina]]
*[[Tri Martolod]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
<!-- Please keep these links in alphabetical order -->
*[http://www.library.mun.ca/cns/discography/ Discography of Newfoundland and Labrador]
*[http://gestsongs.com/ GEST Songs of Newfoundland and Labrador (Archive)] <--mobile-friendly-->
*[http://www.nlfolk.com/ Newfoundland and Labrador Folk Arts Society – Newfoundland & Labrador Folk Festival]

{{Canada topics}}
{{Canadian history}}
{{Music topics}}

[[Category:Music of Newfoundland and Labrador| ]]