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This year’s Guests
Tomek Kaminski
The violin player, composer, vocalist, music and songwriter. He was born in Torun, Poland. His music experience began playing with Nocna Zmiana Bluesa band. It was a hard decision to leave the band after long years and begin his soloist career. This change, however, allow Kaminski to talk about what was important to him; he was in peace with himself, his thoughts and feelings.
Kaminski likes to call his concerts meetings because he often meets with youth - answers their questions, explains thoughts in his songs, tells them about his experience as a musician, husband, father and Christian.
Denis Grady
Born in Peterborough Ontario, Grady grew up in a musical houshold. He spent endless hours practicing guitar. After playing high school dances with a couple of rock bands, he graduated to the folk scene and begun paying more attention to lyrics. After college, Grady moved to Alberta in the early 1970s and became involved with folk choirs. During that time, he spent two years in Jean Vanier’s L’Arche community in Calgary as an assistant living with mentally-and physically challenged residents. As well, he became a friend and supporter of the work of the Sisters of Charity founded by Mother Teresa, whom he eventually met.
In 1984, after staring into suicide’s unforgiving face, he entered a treatment center for drug and alcohol addiction and , in 1989, he went through a painful divorce. By the early 1990s, Grady, a Roman Catholic, was as busy promoting the Gospel and the Gospel music industry, as he a was establishing his own music career.
Grady’s journey is one which he doesn’t mind talking about and one whose example, he hopes will help others find the joy and peace that characterize his life today. Grady remarried in 1997. Together with his wire, they provide a home for three mentally challenged men. Grady often plays in prisons , soup kitchens and Alzheimer’s wards, auditoriums and church halls.
Marco Tavola
” In the songs you will hear, the joyful and sorrowful tears of my life. My awaking started with a book, The Simple Way, by Mother Theresa of Calcutta. I wanted to set off for India immediately. But, after being “fallen down by the horse” the Lord isolated me from the world, let my friends vanish, and brought me to La Verna, to his son Saint Frances. There I wept and I understood... or better, I was filled with his Love. He welcomed me with open arms. He took my stones and brought them away.”
Roberto Bignoli
Well known throughout Italy and Europe for his work in Christian music. His foray into the music scene happened when he was sixteen, singing on the streets of Italy, various pop festivals and clubs throughout Europe. His ambition for pop stardom was interrupted in 1984 after a faith experience. Since then Bignoli has released 7 CDs that reflect a deep spirituality and a passion for singing what he believes.
As a Christian artist his tour venue has taken him to prisons, hospitals, recovery communities, schools and churches. A polio survivor who today walks with the aid of two crutches and the survivor of a sad and painful childhood, Bignoli possess the energy and drive of ten healthy men. His testimony vividly reflects an amazing story of a confused, hurting human transformed to a peaceful, joyous soul through a new understanding of God.
He clearly understands suffering and uses his music to speak hope to those who live in pain.
David MacDonald
Before his 24th Birthday David had toured with Cats, co-stared in films, produced music, acted-off Broadway.
However, David fell into the cycle of addiction that traps many New York performers and burned out his voice. He could not talk for three years. He left music and New York and returned to Ottawa. In 1988 he turned his life over to Jesus. He didn't touch an instrument for 10 years. In April 1998, on a retreat he felt moved to pick up a guitar and he began writing songs again. He made a recording on which he played all the instruments. His singing voice came back with clarity and power. |
Festival Schedule
