WEEKEND  AT   RALPH'S

Steve McNie

FESTIVAL PRODUCER | PERFORMER | WORKSHOP PRESENTER

 

When Steve McNie and McFlies band-mate, David Newland launched the Corktown Ukulele Jam six years ago, they had no idea that the weekly event would find itself at the epicenter of a happening Toronto ukulele scene. In the wake of the Corktown Ukulele Jam's recent move from the Dominion on Queen to the Paintbox Bistro and his pivotal role in producing this festival, Steve is set to launch the Annex Ukulele Jam, 8pm every Monday night at the Tranzac Club.

 

Steve's teaching has inspired hundreds to play better and progress faster. Big on style, groove, feel, textures, arrangement, expression and musicality, he holisticaly balances playing and singing with a little theory, and chordal awareness. He is about to formally introduce YUGA Song Salutations, a powerful approach to develpment of playing skill via your computer or mobile device.

 

Steve presents workshops for all ages and levels of experience. In addition to canada UKES, festival credits include Summerfolk, the Martha's Vineyard Ukulele Festival (September 2015) and the Beaches International Jazz Festival (6 seasons). His work in schools includes Havergal College, St. Clement's, BSS, and the Mabin School. A lengthy list of private students includes Oscar nominee, Jessica Chastain.

Steve's Corktown Ukulele Jam workshops are sponsored by Koaloha Ukulele. Amongst other Koaloha's, Steve plays a superb, custom long-neck concert.

 

Cello is his main instrument (UofT, Royal Conservatory and under former TSO principal cellist, Daniel Domb). He is a member of the Corktown Chamber Orchestra, a group he helped establish in 2005 after several years in Orchestra Toronto as cellist and board member. He plays bass, accordion, banjo, melodica, and cello in The McFlies, who un-cover the 80's on acoustic instruments.

 

Most of Steve's career has been in marketing and the business of music. Prior to forming torontoUKES, he worked with several of the world's leading brands on CTV and CBC digital media extensions of broadcast properties like the Academy Awards, Hockey Night In Canada, FIFA World Cup of Soccer, The Junos, Super Bowl, Canadian Idol and the Olympics.

 

Before that he managed family entertainers Sharon, Lois & Bram and shares an Executive Producer credit on their CBC/Learning Channel/PBS series, Skinnamarink TV. In the 80's and 90's he worked in various marketing capacities for major record labels PolyGram/A&M, Warner Music, and GRT. Steve has been honoured with gold and platinum record awards for his marketing contributions to Sharon, Lois & Bram, Rita MacNeil, Lenny Kravitz, Extreme, Bryan Addams, Lee Aaron and John Lee Hooker. Along the way, he taught advertising, sales promotion and digital media at Sheridan and Centennial Colleges.

 

Under the banner of UKOPOLIS, Steve offers high impact team-building workshops to promote collaboration amongst people who share common goals: corporate, sports, public service and professional associations.

 

→ more at torontoUKES.com