Luke McMaster
Encyclopedia
Luke Mcmaster is a Canadian singer, songwriter and musician.
With a lifelong commitment to music, McMaster experienced early success as one half of a music duo from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, McMaster and James, named after McMaster and his performing partner, Rob James. Despite initial success, the band dissolved in 2002. Since then, McMaster has worked as a songwriter and producer living in Toronto
.
, Manitoba
, Canada
to a businesswoman mother, named Bev (née Canning) and university professor father, named George. Luke is the second oldest of four sons, with brothers named Jeff, John and Rob. McMaster's first year of primary school took place in Sunnydale, California as his family accompanied his father, George, while he attended a one year sabbatical at Stanford University. Subsequently, the family returned to Brandon where Luke's father headed up the School of Maths and Computer Science at Brandon University
.
During his final years of high school, McMaster pursued a passion for music by teaching himself to play the guitar, while also learning and developing skills as a song writer and lyricist. However, knowing that his family had high academic achievement expectations for all of their boys, McMaster kept his musical ambitions and interests entirely secret, both from his friends and family.
In 1994, McMaster enrolled at Brandon University with a planned major in English Literature. Driven by a growing ambition to become a professional musician and performer, after two weeks, McMaster left university. Luke moved to Winnipeg and registered to begin attending a 2 year course at the Contemporary Music College in Winnipeg.
It was at Music College that Luke formed the band Double vision, with drummer/vocalist Sean Miller. Double vision performed in Winnipeg at café’s and in public schools. Influenced by the Everly Brothers and Simon & Garfunkle, the band quickly became known for their tight two part harmonies and catchy songs.
In 1994 the band decided to book time at a recording studio. They teamed up with local producer Dan Donahue in late 1994. With Dan, they recorded their first self titled EP. To promote the recording, they toured for several months. In mid 1995 Sean left the band to pursue a career as a church Pastor and Luke continued in music.
In 1995, during his participation in a Winnipeg Song Writing Workshop, McMaster became acquainted with one of the presenters, Chris Burke-Gaffney, a Canadian songwriter, producer, and artist manager. Impressed with Burke-Gaffney's credentials as a touring musician in his teens and more recently as manager of Juno Award-winning and triple-platinum artist, Chantal Kreviazuk, McMaster contacted Burke-Gaffney about working together. Soon after, Burke-Gaffney and McMaster began their professional relationship.
In early 1997, while collaborating with Burke-Gaffney on the writing of their song, "Thank You", McMaster met Rob James during a studio recording session. Together, McMaster and James wrote a new song named "Shouldn't Love You" and demoed it to a professional acquaintance and producer named Glen Willows. With Glen's encouragement, McMaster and Rob decided to team up under the name of Two Face and through Chris Burke-Gaffney's company, CBG Artist Development, retained him as their manager.
.
The following year, during February 2000, BMG released the first album for McMaster and James, a self-entitled CD that proceeded to go Gold in Canada later that year. Supported by a number of cross Canada tours, including an opening spot on Christina Aguilera
's Canadian tour that year the Mcmaster and James "Boy Band
" experienced success with the hits "Love Wins Everytime", "Thank You", "I Understand" and "Sweet Sensation", all of which were also well received by Canadian radio.
In 2001, "Thank You" was awarded the SOCAN award for Top Radio Play, while "I Understand" won the Prairie Music Award (PMA) award for Best Song. In addition, Mcmaster and James won the PMA for Performers of the Year. The album was also released in Ireland and South America.
In 2002, following the success of their first album, McMaster and James were signed for the development of a second album and sent to Philadelphia to work with producers André Harris and Vidal Davies (Dre&Vidal)
. Subsequently, the project was placed on hold following the bankruptcy of BMG. Later that year, as the music industry continued its rapid decline in the face of Napster and related downloading phenomena, McMaster and Rob James agreed to end their professional relationship and go their separate ways.
Out of 110 songs written during the 2003 Canadian Idol Writing Camp, only 13 songs made the final cut, of which Mcmaster was a principal collaborator in 6 of them. One of them, "October Skies", written with Bobby Cameron and Jenna Gawne, was selected for inclusion on a debut CD release by the Canadian Idol competition winner, Ryan Malcolm
. Following, Mcmaster and Cameron were signed by BMG Canada Inc. to produce the song for Ryan, which was recorded at Phase One Studios
in Toronto prior to its release in December.
At the Canadian idol Song Writing Camp, Mcmaster found opportunity to collaborate with many songwriters, including Randy Bachman, Xandy Barry, Rob Wells, as well as Francis and Lepoint from Sweden, best known for their work writing for the Back Street Boys. Subsequently, Mcmaster partnered with Christopher Ward
, Rob Wells
and Chris Anderson to write material for Nick Carter
's (BackStreet Boys
) solo album. Luke also worked on writing and production for subsequent Canadian Idols Eva Avila (co-wrote the single “Damned”), Theo Tams, and Rex Goudie.
Instant Star
was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008, chronicling the recording industry experiences of a character named Jude Harrison, the adolescent winner of a music competition. Over a four year period, McMaster was contracted as song writer, composer and producer to the Instant Star production company, providing input to the creation of over 60 original compositions. In the process, Mcmaster was not only reunited with a number of previous collaborators including Chris Burt Gaffney, but also developed working relationships with such notable artists and composers as Marc Jordan
, Christopher Ward
, Damhnait Doyle
, Rob Wells
and Greg Johnston.
In the spring of 2006, McMaster joined with Rob Wells
, Simon Wilcox and producer Darcy Ataman to record a music single and a video, created with an objective to inspire change and to raise awareness about humanitarian issues in Africa. On August 13, 2006, the single and video premiered at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto, ON in front of 30,000 delegates. Subsequently, the music video single placed #2 on the Canadian Music Charts, attracting media attention from all of Canada's radio and TV networks to significantly further awareness of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. That fall, the Song For Africa organization was formalized as an international non profit organization.
In 2010, McMaster collaborated with Brett Rosenberg and Christopher Ward
on the song "Carry You" (as single from Jame Blunt's album, "All The Lost Souls") that was part of a new album produced by the Song for Africa organization, named "Song for Africa - Rwanda: Rises Up!
"
Since being signed by Universal Records as a songwriter in 2004, McMaster has achieved recognition as a successful songwriter and producer, whose songs have become multi-platinum and gold sales for many of his collaborators such as Rihanna
, Nick Lachey
, Kyle Riabko
, Bret Ryan, Rex Goudie
, Kalan Porter
, and Marc Jordan
.
In early 2008, in collaboration with Vincent Degiorgio and Damhnait Doyle
, Mcmaster wrote a song named "Start From Here" for Joanna Wang
, an American born, Taiwanese singer/songwriter. "Start From Here", the featured single from her debut, double disc album released in both English and Chinese reached # 1 in Taiwan and has been popular throughout the Southeast Asian region, including a release in Japan in June 2008.
From 2005 to 2008, McMaster contributed music to the popular Canadian television show named Degrassi, The Next generation
. 3 of McMaster's songs were featured in the new feature film "Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood
". A sequel film named Degrassi Takes Manhattan
featured 4 more songs co-written by McMaster including the single Life is a Show, which achieved wide replay on radio.
In January 2008, with producer and long time friend Greg Johnston, McMaster released an EP on which he sings five original songs, including "All I'm Missing Is You"; "Time"; "Running"; Can't Get Enough Of You" and "I'm At Your Mercy". The songs were chosen to reflect the strong influence of the Blue Eyed Soul music genre, by which McMaster was most influenced at the time.
During February 2010, McMaster participated in Team Canada 2010, a troupe of performers, musicians and NHL hockey stars sent to Kandahar, Afghanistan, to entertain the Canadian troops. Alongside Canadian Bands, The Carpet Frogs
and Default
, and performers such as Alan Frew
and Sam Reid from Glass Tiger
, Mcmaster performed and sang in a variety of concerts and events organized for the troops, over a week long period.
During October, 2010, McMaster performed at the annual Toronto based festival held to commemorate the annual induction of Canadian celebrities into the Canadian Walk Of Fame. Along with a select showcase of Canadian musicians and icons, McMaster performed and sang on the Dundas Square stage in a concert that was televised and broadcast across Canada the following night.
As part of the Province of Ontario's initiative to celebrate and promote the Winter Olympics held in British Columbia, The Ontario Government, Department of Tourism, commissioned Mcmaster to participate in national 60 second TV commercial called "Come Together", also featuring Ryan Isojima, Lisa Boudreau, Annick Obonsawin, and God Made Me Funky's Phatt Al.
Bluebird North is a series of concerts sponsored by and held Koener Hall at the Royal Conservatory of Music in downtown Toronto, Ontario, where some of Canada 's most inspiring singers and songwriter share their songs and stories round-robin style. In October 2010, Mcmaster was featured as the Mcmaster opening act at Royal Conservatory for the American country-indie-folk singer Brandi Carlile
.
During 2010, McMaster collaborated with American singer Marc Jordan
in the development of Jordan's latest album, Crucifix In Dreamland. McMaster co-wrote the album's current, top 40 hit single, Falling Man.
Although McMaster has embraced an eclectic range of musical styles and genres throughout his career, his greatest musical influences have remained Blue-Eyed Soul
and Jazz
. Specific artists who have exemplified McMaster's musical preferences and provided the strongest influence to both his song writing and performing are Al Green
, Marvin Gaye
, Hall & Oates
, Bob Marley
, Cat Stevens
, The Beatles
, Ray Lamontagne
, The Rolling Stones
and Frank Sinatra
.
Building upon several years as a full time writer/producer, McMaster is currently working on a project to relaunch his performing career with the planned release of a covers based album in January 2012. The album will also include a featured original single, written by McMaster.
With a lifelong commitment to music, McMaster experienced early success as one half of a music duo from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, McMaster and James, named after McMaster and his performing partner, Rob James. Despite initial success, the band dissolved in 2002. Since then, McMaster has worked as a songwriter and producer living in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Background and school years
McMaster was born in BrandonBrandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to a businesswoman mother, named Bev (née Canning) and university professor father, named George. Luke is the second oldest of four sons, with brothers named Jeff, John and Rob. McMaster's first year of primary school took place in Sunnydale, California as his family accompanied his father, George, while he attended a one year sabbatical at Stanford University. Subsequently, the family returned to Brandon where Luke's father headed up the School of Maths and Computer Science at Brandon University
Brandon University
Brandon University is a Canadian university located in the city of Brandon, Manitoba, with an enrolment of 3383 full-time and part-time students. The current location was founded on July 13, 1899, as Brandon College as a Baptist institution. It was chartered as a university by then President Dr....
.
During his final years of high school, McMaster pursued a passion for music by teaching himself to play the guitar, while also learning and developing skills as a song writer and lyricist. However, knowing that his family had high academic achievement expectations for all of their boys, McMaster kept his musical ambitions and interests entirely secret, both from his friends and family.
In 1994, McMaster enrolled at Brandon University with a planned major in English Literature. Driven by a growing ambition to become a professional musician and performer, after two weeks, McMaster left university. Luke moved to Winnipeg and registered to begin attending a 2 year course at the Contemporary Music College in Winnipeg.
Early musical career
Through his studies at the Contemporary Music College, McMaster received a formal grounding in music and established a community of friends, musicians and industry professionals who continue to influence him and provide career support to this very day.Double Vision
It was at Music College that Luke formed the band Double vision, with drummer/vocalist Sean Miller. Double vision performed in Winnipeg at café’s and in public schools. Influenced by the Everly Brothers and Simon & Garfunkle, the band quickly became known for their tight two part harmonies and catchy songs.
In 1994 the band decided to book time at a recording studio. They teamed up with local producer Dan Donahue in late 1994. With Dan, they recorded their first self titled EP. To promote the recording, they toured for several months. In mid 1995 Sean left the band to pursue a career as a church Pastor and Luke continued in music.
Two Face
In 1995, during his participation in a Winnipeg Song Writing Workshop, McMaster became acquainted with one of the presenters, Chris Burke-Gaffney, a Canadian songwriter, producer, and artist manager. Impressed with Burke-Gaffney's credentials as a touring musician in his teens and more recently as manager of Juno Award-winning and triple-platinum artist, Chantal Kreviazuk, McMaster contacted Burke-Gaffney about working together. Soon after, Burke-Gaffney and McMaster began their professional relationship.
In early 1997, while collaborating with Burke-Gaffney on the writing of their song, "Thank You", McMaster met Rob James during a studio recording session. Together, McMaster and James wrote a new song named "Shouldn't Love You" and demoed it to a professional acquaintance and producer named Glen Willows. With Glen's encouragement, McMaster and Rob decided to team up under the name of Two Face and through Chris Burke-Gaffney's company, CBG Artist Development, retained him as their manager.
McMaster & James
Inspired by a common interested in pop R&B, McMaster and James rehearsed together to develop a unique sound by which to develop their performing career. Encouraged by both by Chris Burke-Gaffney and Glen Willows, the duo developed, demoed and then recorded a number of new songs, amongst which the group agreed that Thank You seemed to have the most potential. In 1999, Mcmaster and Rob signed a contract with BMG/Sony records under their new name, Mcmaster & JamesMcMaster & James
McMaster & James was a music duo from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.The band is named after its principal members, Luke McMaster and Rob James, who met in 1997. Their self-titled debut CD released in February 2000 on BMG, followed by numerous tour dates, including an opening spot on Christina...
.
The following year, during February 2000, BMG released the first album for McMaster and James, a self-entitled CD that proceeded to go Gold in Canada later that year. Supported by a number of cross Canada tours, including an opening spot on Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
's Canadian tour that year the Mcmaster and James "Boy Band
Boy band
A boy band is loosely defined as a popular music act consisting of only male singers. The members are expected to dance as well as sing, usually giving highly choreographed performances. More often than not, boy band members do not play musical instruments, either in recording sessions or on...
" experienced success with the hits "Love Wins Everytime", "Thank You", "I Understand" and "Sweet Sensation", all of which were also well received by Canadian radio.
In 2001, "Thank You" was awarded the SOCAN award for Top Radio Play, while "I Understand" won the Prairie Music Award (PMA) award for Best Song. In addition, Mcmaster and James won the PMA for Performers of the Year. The album was also released in Ireland and South America.
In 2002, following the success of their first album, McMaster and James were signed for the development of a second album and sent to Philadelphia to work with producers André Harris and Vidal Davies (Dre&Vidal)
Dre & Vidal
Dre & Vidal is a Multi-Grammy Award Winning songwriting and production duo consisting of Andre Harris and Vidal Davis, who are best known as the main producers for Jill Scott and Glenn Lewis...
. Subsequently, the project was placed on hold following the bankruptcy of BMG. Later that year, as the music industry continued its rapid decline in the face of Napster and related downloading phenomena, McMaster and Rob James agreed to end their professional relationship and go their separate ways.
Songwriting and production
In 2003, McMaster decided to take time off from performing to become a full time song writer and producer, with a view to writing both for artists as well as TV and movies. That same year, Mcmaster received an invitation to attend the Canadian Idol Song Writing Camp in Toronto.Canadian Idol Song Writing Camp
Out of 110 songs written during the 2003 Canadian Idol Writing Camp, only 13 songs made the final cut, of which Mcmaster was a principal collaborator in 6 of them. One of them, "October Skies", written with Bobby Cameron and Jenna Gawne, was selected for inclusion on a debut CD release by the Canadian Idol competition winner, Ryan Malcolm
Ryan Malcolm
Ryan Michael Malcolm is a Canadian singer best known as the winner of the first season of Canadian Idol....
. Following, Mcmaster and Cameron were signed by BMG Canada Inc. to produce the song for Ryan, which was recorded at Phase One Studios
Phase One Studios
Phase One Studios is a recording and mixing studio in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1974, it has hosted numerous Canadian and international artists and musicians, including Rihanna, Ludacris, Akon, Jimmy Young, A. R. Rahman, and Hariharan....
in Toronto prior to its release in December.
At the Canadian idol Song Writing Camp, Mcmaster found opportunity to collaborate with many songwriters, including Randy Bachman, Xandy Barry, Rob Wells, as well as Francis and Lepoint from Sweden, best known for their work writing for the Back Street Boys. Subsequently, Mcmaster partnered with Christopher Ward
Christopher Ward (songwriter)
Christopher William Ward is a Canadian songwriter and broadcaster, known as a former long-standing on-air personality at MuchMusic, Canada's music video network, where he and J.D. Roberts were among the first video jockeys in 1984...
, Rob Wells
Rob Wells
Rob Wells is a multi-platinum, award-winning producer/songwriter based in Toronto & Los Angeles.Wells has worked with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Adam Lambert, Nick Lachey, Miranda Cosgrove, Mika, Backstreet Boys, Paloma Faith, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton John, Daisy Dares You, Boyzone, Matt Dusk,...
and Chris Anderson to write material for Nick Carter
Nick Carter (musician)
Nickolas Gene "Nick" Carter is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, musician, entertainer and actor. He is best known as a member of the pop group, Backstreet Boys. He went on to release a solo album called Now Or Never during their hiatus. He has made occasional television appearances and...
's (BackStreet Boys
Backstreet Boys
The Backstreet Boys are an American vocal group, formed in Orlando, Florida in 1993. The band originally consisted of A. J. McLean, Howie Dorough, Brian Littrell, Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. They rose to fame with their debut international album, Backstreet Boys...
) solo album. Luke also worked on writing and production for subsequent Canadian Idols Eva Avila (co-wrote the single “Damned”), Theo Tams, and Rex Goudie.
Instant Star
Instant Star
Instant Star
Instant Star was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experience in the recording industry whilst focusing upon character development.Linda...
was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008, chronicling the recording industry experiences of a character named Jude Harrison, the adolescent winner of a music competition. Over a four year period, McMaster was contracted as song writer, composer and producer to the Instant Star production company, providing input to the creation of over 60 original compositions. In the process, Mcmaster was not only reunited with a number of previous collaborators including Chris Burt Gaffney, but also developed working relationships with such notable artists and composers as Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan , is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, session musician, and actor. Covering a wide variety of genres, he has written songs for a number of well-known artists, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, and Josh Groban...
, Christopher Ward
Christopher Ward (songwriter)
Christopher William Ward is a Canadian songwriter and broadcaster, known as a former long-standing on-air personality at MuchMusic, Canada's music video network, where he and J.D. Roberts were among the first video jockeys in 1984...
, Damhnait Doyle
Damhnait Doyle
Damhnait Doyle [DAV-net] is a Canadian pop singer. The phonetic spelling of her first name also serves as the title of her 2003 album. Her most recent album, Lights Down Low, is a collection of covers...
, Rob Wells
Rob Wells
Rob Wells is a multi-platinum, award-winning producer/songwriter based in Toronto & Los Angeles.Wells has worked with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Adam Lambert, Nick Lachey, Miranda Cosgrove, Mika, Backstreet Boys, Paloma Faith, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton John, Daisy Dares You, Boyzone, Matt Dusk,...
and Greg Johnston.
Song For Africa
In the spring of 2006, McMaster joined with Rob Wells
Rob Wells
Rob Wells is a multi-platinum, award-winning producer/songwriter based in Toronto & Los Angeles.Wells has worked with Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Adam Lambert, Nick Lachey, Miranda Cosgrove, Mika, Backstreet Boys, Paloma Faith, Cyndi Lauper, Olivia Newton John, Daisy Dares You, Boyzone, Matt Dusk,...
, Simon Wilcox and producer Darcy Ataman to record a music single and a video, created with an objective to inspire change and to raise awareness about humanitarian issues in Africa. On August 13, 2006, the single and video premiered at the International AIDS Conference in Toronto, ON in front of 30,000 delegates. Subsequently, the music video single placed #2 on the Canadian Music Charts, attracting media attention from all of Canada's radio and TV networks to significantly further awareness of the AIDS pandemic in Africa. That fall, the Song For Africa organization was formalized as an international non profit organization.
In 2010, McMaster collaborated with Brett Rosenberg and Christopher Ward
Christopher Ward (songwriter)
Christopher William Ward is a Canadian songwriter and broadcaster, known as a former long-standing on-air personality at MuchMusic, Canada's music video network, where he and J.D. Roberts were among the first video jockeys in 1984...
on the song "Carry You" (as single from Jame Blunt's album, "All The Lost Souls") that was part of a new album produced by the Song for Africa organization, named "Song for Africa - Rwanda: Rises Up!
Song for Africa - Rwanda: Rises Up!
Song for Africa - Rwanda: Rises Up! is a Canadian charity album by the Song for Africa organization. The album is an accompanying soundtrack to the charity fund's latest Rwanda documentary which documents the visit to Rwanda by the Canadian super group of Steve Bays of Hot Hot Heat, Tim Edwards of...
"
Universal Records
Since being signed by Universal Records as a songwriter in 2004, McMaster has achieved recognition as a successful songwriter and producer, whose songs have become multi-platinum and gold sales for many of his collaborators such as Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
, Nick Lachey
Nick Lachey
Nicholas Scott "Nick" Lachey is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and television personality. Lachey rose to fame as a member of the boy band 98 Degrees. He later starred in the reality television series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica with his then-wife, Jessica Simpson. He has released...
, Kyle Riabko
Kyle Riabko
Kyle Riabko is a Canadian pop singer, guitarist, and actor who was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. He resides in New York City....
, Bret Ryan, Rex Goudie
Rex Goudie
Rex Goudie is a Canadian singer, songwriter and was the runner-up of Canadian Idol 3.-Biography:Rex Goudie was born in Dawson Creek, British Columbia on November 18, 1985 and moved back to his father's hometown of Burlington, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada with his family when he was a year old....
, Kalan Porter
Kalan Porter
Richard Kalan Porter is a singer-songwriter from Medicine Hat, Alberta, and the winner of the reality television series Canadian Idol in season 2. He started to sing at an early age and is classically trained, playing several instruments, most notably, the violin and viola...
, and Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan , is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, session musician, and actor. Covering a wide variety of genres, he has written songs for a number of well-known artists, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, and Josh Groban...
.
In early 2008, in collaboration with Vincent Degiorgio and Damhnait Doyle
Damhnait Doyle
Damhnait Doyle [DAV-net] is a Canadian pop singer. The phonetic spelling of her first name also serves as the title of her 2003 album. Her most recent album, Lights Down Low, is a collection of covers...
, Mcmaster wrote a song named "Start From Here" for Joanna Wang
Joanna Wang
Joanna Wang is a Taiwanese singer-songwriter, daughter of famous music producer Wang Chi-ping . Born in Taipei but raised in Los Angeles suburb of San Gabriel, California, Wang dropped out from Gabrielino High School when she was 16. Her debut album, Start From Here, was released in January 2008...
, an American born, Taiwanese singer/songwriter. "Start From Here", the featured single from her debut, double disc album released in both English and Chinese reached # 1 in Taiwan and has been popular throughout the Southeast Asian region, including a release in Japan in June 2008.
Film and television
From 2005 to 2008, McMaster contributed music to the popular Canadian television show named Degrassi, The Next generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
. 3 of McMaster's songs were featured in the new feature film "Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Degrassi Goes Hollywood
Paradise City: Degrassi Goes Hollywood is a 2009 Canadian film adaptation of the popular, long-running teenage drama Degrassi: The Next Generation. The movie premiered in the United States on The N on 14 August 2009, and in Canada on CTV on 30 August 2009. It was directed by veteran Degrassi...
". A sequel film named Degrassi Takes Manhattan
Degrassi Takes Manhattan
The Rest of My Life: Degrassi Takes Manhattan is a 2010 Canadian film adaptation of the popular, long-running teenage drama Degrassi, which was known as Degrassi: The Next Generation prior to this film. The movie premiered in Canada on MuchMusic on 16 July 2010, and in the United States on TeenNick...
featured 4 more songs co-written by McMaster including the single Life is a Show, which achieved wide replay on radio.
Performing / Singing / Touring
Coincident with songwriting and production responsibilities, McMaster has maintained a strong performing persona through tours, concerts, media initiatives and release of an EP.EP Release "Time"
In January 2008, with producer and long time friend Greg Johnston, McMaster released an EP on which he sings five original songs, including "All I'm Missing Is You"; "Time"; "Running"; Can't Get Enough Of You" and "I'm At Your Mercy". The songs were chosen to reflect the strong influence of the Blue Eyed Soul music genre, by which McMaster was most influenced at the time.
Team Canada 2010
During February 2010, McMaster participated in Team Canada 2010, a troupe of performers, musicians and NHL hockey stars sent to Kandahar, Afghanistan, to entertain the Canadian troops. Alongside Canadian Bands, The Carpet Frogs
The Carpet Frogs
The Carpet Frogs are a Toronto based rock band. They are best known for their work with Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings.-Band members:Nick Sinopoli - Percussion and vocalsDavid Love - Guitar and vocals...
and Default
Default (band)
Default is a Canadian post-grunge/alternative rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. Since forming in 1999 they have released four albums, and have sold more than a million records...
, and performers such as Alan Frew
Alan Frew
Alan Frew is the lead singer for the Canadian band, Glass Tiger, and has also released two solo albums...
and Sam Reid from Glass Tiger
Glass Tiger
Glass Tiger is a Canadian rock band formed in 1983, in Newmarket, Ontario.-Biography:Originally named 'Tokyo', the band produced several hit singles in Canada and placed two songs on Billboard magazine's top 10: "Don't Forget Me " and "Someday," both of which came from their debut album, The Thin...
, Mcmaster performed and sang in a variety of concerts and events organized for the troops, over a week long period.
Canada's Walk Of Fame Festival 2010
During October, 2010, McMaster performed at the annual Toronto based festival held to commemorate the annual induction of Canadian celebrities into the Canadian Walk Of Fame. Along with a select showcase of Canadian musicians and icons, McMaster performed and sang on the Dundas Square stage in a concert that was televised and broadcast across Canada the following night.
Tourism Ontario 2010
As part of the Province of Ontario's initiative to celebrate and promote the Winter Olympics held in British Columbia, The Ontario Government, Department of Tourism, commissioned Mcmaster to participate in national 60 second TV commercial called "Come Together", also featuring Ryan Isojima, Lisa Boudreau, Annick Obonsawin, and God Made Me Funky's Phatt Al.
Bluebird North 2010
Bluebird North is a series of concerts sponsored by and held Koener Hall at the Royal Conservatory of Music in downtown Toronto, Ontario, where some of Canada 's most inspiring singers and songwriter share their songs and stories round-robin style. In October 2010, Mcmaster was featured as the Mcmaster opening act at Royal Conservatory for the American country-indie-folk singer Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile
Brandi Carlile is an American singer and songwriter.-Early life:At age eight, Carlile performed a rendition of the country music song "Tennessee Flat Top Box" with her mother. She began to play the guitar and write songs at fifteen. At sixteen, she began to perform as a backup singer for an Elvis...
.
Crucifix In Dreamland, Marc Jordan
During 2010, McMaster collaborated with American singer Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan
Marc Jordan , is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer, session musician, and actor. Covering a wide variety of genres, he has written songs for a number of well-known artists, including Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Cher, Bette Midler, and Josh Groban...
in the development of Jordan's latest album, Crucifix In Dreamland. McMaster co-wrote the album's current, top 40 hit single, Falling Man.
Musical influences
Although McMaster has embraced an eclectic range of musical styles and genres throughout his career, his greatest musical influences have remained Blue-Eyed Soul
Blue-eyed soul
Blue-eyed soul is a media term that was used to describe rhythm and blues and soul music performed by white artists, with a strong pop music influence. The term was first used in the mid-1960s to describe white artists who performed soul and R&B that was similar to the music of the Motown and...
and Jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
. Specific artists who have exemplified McMaster's musical preferences and provided the strongest influence to both his song writing and performing are Al Green
Al Green
Albert Greene , better known as Al Green, is an American gospel and soul music singer. He reached the peak of his popularity in the 1970s, with hit singles such as "You Oughta Be With Me", "I'm Still In Love With You", "Love and Happiness", and "Let's Stay Together"...
, Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye
Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr. , better known by his stage name Marvin Gaye, was an American singer-songwriter and musician with a three-octave vocal range....
, Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates
Hall & Oates are an American musical duo composed of Daryl Hall and John Oates. They achieved their greatest fame in the late 1970s and early to mid-1980s. Both sing and play instruments. They specialized in a fusion of rock and roll and rhythm and blues styles, which they dubbed "rock and soul."...
, Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
, Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
, The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, Ray Lamontagne
Ray LaMontagne
Raymond "Ray" Charles Jack LaMontagne is a Grammy-award winning American singer-songwriter. LaMontagne has released four studio albums, Trouble, Till the Sun Turns Black, Gossip in the Grain and God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise. He was born in New Hampshire and was inspired to create music after...
, The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
and Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
.
Current project
Building upon several years as a full time writer/producer, McMaster is currently working on a project to relaunch his performing career with the planned release of a covers based album in January 2012. The album will also include a featured original single, written by McMaster.
Awards
- Rihanna, Double Platinum Album 'Girl Like Me"
- 6 times Platinum album (songwriter) - Nick Lachey ' What's Left Of Me '
- 2 times Platinum album (songwriter/producer)- Kalan Porter '219 days'
- Platinum (songwriter) - Rex Goudie "Under the Lights"
- Platinum album (songwriter/producer) - Ryan Malcolm 'Home'
- Gold album (artist) - McMaster and James: "Eponymous"
- SOCAN award for Top Radio Play: "Thank You"
- PMA award for Best Song: "I Understand"
External links
- Luke Mcmaster Website http://www.lukemcmaster.com