NS Music Week 2008 award brings opportunity, credibility

By Christy Marsters

Swingology, a gypsy jazz band based in Windsor, won the Nova Scotia Music Week 2008 Award for Jazz/Electro Acoustic Artist/Group recording of the year Nov. 9.

Music Nova Scotia also selected the band to perform during the Nov. 7 jazz showcase in New Glasgow as many musicians across the province gathered Nov. 6-9 to participate in workshops, perform in jam sessions and to see the Gala Awards Show.

Swingology guitarist Ben Robertson said this entire event aimed to promote live music in Nova Scotia. “There are a lot of really good musicians in Nova Scotia,” he said.

“It was a huge surprise to win this award,” Robertson said. “We were shocked to win.”

However, it was so great to win because it presents more opportunities, Robertson noted. “It gives us a lot more credibility.”

It’s not easy making it in this competitive music industry without the right opportunities, Robertson said. “We hold our own but we’re not well known. It takes a lot of hard work.”

Swingology is considering making a second CD to be released by next summer. The band would like to thank fans and Moe’s Music Sales for all the support. Anyone looking for information about Swingology can log on to the website: www.myspace.com