NIKKI YANOFSKY IN TORONTO AT MASSEY HALL

Nikki Yanofsky in Toronto - April 2012

One of Canada's brightest young Talents is Nikki Yanofsky who currently is in-town, performing at Massey Hall tonight.  The 18-year-old Montreal-born Jazz-Pop Singer performed before an intimate Audience, proudly now achieving a new milestone in her Career.   She Tweets, "Wow! Check that one off the list :P Massey Hall, I love you, thanks so much for having me and thanks everyone for coming.";  the Venue seats up to 2,765.

Yanofsky following her Show, apologized to Fans who waited out in the cold for her.  "If I knew you were out here, I'd have invited you all in!", she says considerately.  Accompanied by her Father Richard and Mother Elyssa, they posed for a Photo together exclusively for Mr. Will-W.:Pop Maven.  Elyssa says, "Technically, it's not a full Family Photo as Nikki's Brothers Ange and Mike are back home in Montreal, but this will do!".  The Singer's Mother ensured she wasn't overly-generous with one Autograph Collector asking repeatedly for items to be signed.  Finally, she had to be firm telling him, "I've got to make time for my other Fans now".  Well-played.

Recently having finished recorded her second full-length Disc, we can expect that to be in-stores this Spring via Universal Music Canada. The Album is produced by Martin Terefe, known namely for his work on massive Hits like Jason Mraz's I'm Yours and Train's Hey Soul Sister.  It is said to be influenced heavily by Adele and Lily Allen.  Also next  month, she will be touring with Il Divo on the Canadian leg of their forthcoming Tour. 

Follow Yanofsky on Twitter here.  Expect big things from the brilliant Songstress!

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

JASON MRAZ IN TORONTO FOR "LOVE IS A FOUR LETTER WORD"

Jason Mraz in Toronto - March 2012

Two-time GRAMMY Award Winner Jason Mraz made a quick stop-off in Toronto today to promote his forthcoming fourth Studio Disc Love is a Four Letter Word, due in-stores April 17, 2012 via Warner Music.

Mraz did a special appearance at CHFI 98.1's Up Close and Personal with Jason Mraz, performing new material and some of his hits before an intimate Contest Winners-only audience.  It was also confirmed that Tour Dates are forthcoming and another Toronto stop-off can be expected this September.

Although he seemingly had plenty of time, Mraz regrettably was not able to stop for a quick Photo on his way to his appearance, throwing a quick wave to me yelling, "Hey, Buddy!".  It is reported though that on his way out of the appearance, he did stop to meet some Fans despite his Handlers trying to curtail it.

Mraz's latest Single, I Won't Give Up has so far peaked at number eight on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, faring respectably at number eleven on the Canadian Hot 100 also.  His latest EP Live is a Four Letter Word currently is available on iTunes.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will-W.)

NEW MUSIC: JASON MRAZ - I WON'T GIVE UP

Artwork for I Won't Give Up

Out of nowhere, Acoustic Balladeer Jason Mraz has ascended to top of the Charts! His latest Single I Won't Give Up debuts this week on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Chart at an impressive eighth spot. Even more stunning is that the Track debuts atop the Hot Digital Songs Chart based on the strength of 225k copies sold. North of the Border, Mraz is at number two!

If you haven't checked out I Won't Give Up yet, you will be charmed.  Listen!

Jason Mraz's fourth studio Disc hits stores May 8, 2012 via Warner Music Canada.

(Photo/video credit: Warner Music)

THE GRAMMYS: A QUICK RECAP

As predicted, Beyoncé cleaned up at tonight's Grammy Awards at Los Angeles' Staples Centre.  Picking up an astounding six Grammys including the important Best Female Pop Vocal and Song of the Year categories for Halo and Single Ladies respectively.  And deservedly so.  People are often quick to express their displeasure with her, but the fact remains that she is a legend at the top of her game.  I mean Lady Gaga is fantastic, but Beyoncé does it time and again based on sheer talent alone and this needs to be respected.

Taylor Swift should be extremely proud of herself right now, winning the evening's most coveted award, Album of the Year in addition to three other awards.  A humble Swift also was victorious in the category of Best Country Album, although the public really should understand why it is she isn't  quite ready for a Best Female Pop Vocal award after hearing her extremely flat performances of new single Today Was a Fairytale and You Belong With Me (featuring Stevie Nicks). Alas, I won't be too harsh on her because when I was her age, I didn't even have a fraction of the talent she has.

Lady Gaga fans are all ecstatic having set  Twitter afire, in making her a hot trending topic this evening.  Gaga, despite not being eligible for the Best New Artist award, still won Best Electronic Album and Best Dance Recording. This should come as no surprise really, seeing how she has done wonders again for dance pop music's presence on the mainstream charts.  She arrived on the red carpet tonight with bright yellow highlights in her hair, looking like an assignment from the Space unit of a grade school Science class, once again making her the center of attention.  More importantly her theatrical performance featured a very strong vocal tonight in a medley of Poker Face and Speechless (featuring Elton John), the latter which I swear she keeps performing just to prove that she can really play the piano.  Superb.

Enjoy these red carpet pictures from the Associated Press, Wired Images and Getty Images. Glee's Lea Michele, I must say, knows glamour.  She's looked fantastic at every award show she's been invited to this season. And doesn't Jason Mraz look just effortlessly handsome?