Album Notes

Musician brings the world to kids...

Young children everywhere are now dancing to a different drummer - quite literally - with the release of Sound Adventures: Global Music for Children. Winner of a 2005 Silver Award from the US-based Parents' Choice Foundation, this new compilation CD features some of Canada's finest musicians who take children on an amazing musical journey of discovery from Ireland to Africa; Japan to the Middle East and India, and beyond.

The producer behind the CD, musician and music educator Sophia Grigoriadis, is a member of the Juno-nominated Toronto-based Greek and Arabic ensemble Maza Mezé. Grigoriadis developed the concept for the CD while running her parent-child world music and movement programs in Toronto's east end. "I am truly fortunate to witness the wonderful things that happen when children are exposed to a diversity of music, instruments, languages and rhythms. The inspiration behind Sound Adventures was to bring these benefits into the homes of families looking for an enriched learning experience for their children."

Also, as an active participant in the music community both locally and through touring across the country, she is passionate about promoting Canada's unique and vibrant world music scene. Sound Adventures provides an engaging introduction to this country's talented musical offerings.
Musicians providing tracks for the CD include: The Toronto Tabla Ensemble; Maryem Tollar; The Flying Bulgar Klezmer Band; Lizzy Mahashe, and the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble. The compelling rhythms, singable melodies and relaxing lullabies are a valuable contribution to a child's widening musical landscape.

The tracks are organized into three broad categories - songs for singing, songs for drumming (or steady beat tapping), and songs for rocking & relaxation. Liner notes offer suggestions for movement activities as well as giving children and educators an informative look into the cultural backgrounds of the diverse musical tracks. The CD is a wonderful addition to a family's music collection or any Early Learning Centre or Preschool's CD collection or lending library.