Saskatchewan singer-songwriter-pianist, Jeffery Straker is thrilled to have won the 55th Vina Del Mar International Song Competition. The competition was held alongside the Vina del Mar Festival, a week-long event running February 23-27, featuring artists from Latin America as well as international stars. An immensely popular festival in the Latin music world, and the largest in South America, it is considered a very important event having launched many careers into the South American and the Latin music scenes.
Competing against six other countries in the pop music category, Jeffery performed live at the 20,000 person sold-out Quinta Vergara Amphitheatre and was televised throughout South America. Performing “Hypnotized” from his 2008 release Step Right Up, Jeffery delivered a worthy and risky performance. Stepping out of his comfort zone, he allowed the house orchestra to take lead, stepped away from the piano with mic in hand, and joined his backing dance troupe across the stage. In this performance, we see a whole new level of energy and marvel added to Jeffery’s charismatic style.
View Jeffery’s award-wining performance here: http://youtu.be/Y8PTq59VUtM
Jeffery’s performance was the second Canadian win following Winnipeg’s Sierra Noble, who took the prize in 2011. The grand prize included a Gaviota de Plata (Silver Seagull) trophy and $50,000 US as well as the opportunity to expand his fan-base to include South America. Now, with his social media pages a flurry, the competition has brought him international praise and recognition. Jeffery plans to use his prize money toward his next full-length recording.
Jeffery Straker is based in Regina/Toronto and performs over 100 shows per year across Canada. He has recorded for CBC radio’s Canada Live, had a music video chart in the top 10 on Much More Music Canada, and in 2012, toured in Africa. His tour stops range from intimate house concerts to club and theatre shows and recent sold-out concerts (capacity 2000) with the Regina and Saskatoon Symphony Orchestras. Jeffery released his full-length album Vagabond (produced by Danny Michel) in October 2012 to critical acclaim. He is currently writing songs for a new recording – stay tuned for announcements.
