Time: 9 p.m.

Cover: none

http://www.sonicbids.com/2/EPK/?epk_id=19595#bio

Afro-Celtic Fusion" - Paul Simon Graceland meets Bob Marley at a Newfoundland Ceilidh! Nominated 2009 ECMA World Recording of the Year and Music NL Entertainer of the Year.

Dr. Zoo is the vision of singer/songwriter Randal Arsenault from Newfoundland, Canada. For years Randal has lived and traveled in Africa, recently completing his doctorate of zoology on competition between white rhino, wildebeest, zebra and impala. After years of singing to zebras, Randal developed the musical genre "Afro-Celtic-Reggae". The 6 piece band includes Juno award winning Youssou Seck from Senegal (African drums and vocals), Celtic fiddler Barb Olorenshaw (whistles/Irish dancing), Sudanese guitarist David Kabbashi, South African drummer Darryl Swart (fmr Tree 63), and funk bassist Justin Kudding. See Promo Video.

Since 2003, Dr. Zoo has toured Canada, Japan, UK, US, and South Africa, and won nominations for 2009 World Recording of the Year (East Coast Music Awards), 2006 SOCAN Songwriter of the Year (Music Newfoundland), 2003 Rock Artist of the Year (Music NL), and a finalist position in the 2003 Canadian Songwriting Competition (CMW).

Dr. Zoo recently opened for Johnny Clegg, Freshly Ground, Hugh Masekela and Oliver Mtukudzi, and enjoyed thousands of people singing Sawubona, Unjani to the song Welcome to Africa. "My main influences are Graceland, Johnny Clegg, Bob Marley and Irish drinking songs" laughs Randal. "I enjoy fusing African with Newfoundland music, and sharing my love of the continent and the Island."

David Hayman (Music Supervisor, VAPOR MUSIC Toronto) says:

"I saw Dr. Zoo for the first time in Corner Brook Newfoundland (ECMA 2009) at a rock show at midnight in a sea of ready-to-party teens and young adults. I had heard from Randal, whom I had met earlier in a pitch session, that the band had been focusing on the youth and adult audiences but when Dr Zoo performed they had every single young person in the crowd on their side. The entire crowd, myself included, was totally sold on the idea of Dr Zoo because from the first note it was clear that the band was both authentic and extremely talented.....They had us clapping along, shouting lyrics we had just learned and roaring with cheers on almost every band member's solo's.

Africa meets Newfoundland.... never thought it could work but now I can't imagine Dr. Zoo being anything other than what they are, a fusion of cultures that represent the diversity of Canadian music and once again proves that art based on personal experience is always shines the brightest because it is authentic and from the heart. There was a lot of love for Dr Zoo that night. I hope to hear a lot more from Randal and the band in the years to come. They are truly something special."

Website: www.drzoomusic.com
Friends: www.myspace.com/drzoomusic
Instrumentation

- Randal Arsenault (acoustic and vocals)
- Juno award winner Youssou Seck from Senegal (African drums/vocals www.youssouseck.ca)
- Ghanaian singer Nikki Hylton
- Afro bassman Joe Hylton
- Irish Multi-Instrumentalist Roxanne Young (fiddle/whistles/vocals)
- Sudanese guitarist David Kabbashi
- Reggae kit drummer Jim Johnston