Carving her place in the music world – a new sound is bornMay 18, 2021, Toronto, ON – Woodney Pierre, a Toronto based artist releases her very first solo track “La Perle des Antilles”. A song written as an ode to her Haitian roots. This release celebrates Haitian Flag Day, an important date for the Haitian community. This marks an important milestone for Pierre, who is launching, for the first time, original music, while having previously collaborated with others up until this new project. This new single ushers her into the world of songwriters. As a nod to the Haitian Flag Day celebrations, Woodney Pierre has decided to donate the proceeds from this first song to a Haitian community development foundation. The song will be exclusively available on Bandcamp, where people can donate the amount of their choice. This song is both an anthem of pride and a cry for hope specifically with the the women of Haiti in mind. This song was inspired by the black woman, her beauty and her resilience. La Perle des Antilles will be available for download and streaming for a period of two (2) months. Proceeds will be donated to the La maison d'Haïti whose missions are to welcome, educate, integrate and improve the living conditions of people of Haitian origin, Afro descendants and immigrants. Woodney Pierre’s second release, ICI, is already scheduled for May 28. This female vocalist with her smooth silky voice that sways to the rhythm of her island roots, she unveils a modern twist on a traditional genre of kompa and zouk. This second single will be available and all streaming platforms and distributed through APCM and Believe Canada. This second single tells the story of love, its power and its blinding effect. How encapsulating and nostalgic the comfort can be, just like the fire in an old fireplace, the heart that warms a cold house in the dead of winter. "Original kompa music is something rare among francophone artists in Canada, I wanted to honor my culture and my love for this kind of music by bringing my own spin on it. My hope is to create a new or renewed appetite for this style of music while honoring my roots, my country, our music.” Says Woodney. Having just completed a week-long songwriting residency Les Rencontres qui chantent, Woodney is no stranger to the Canadian music scene. She has shared the stage with several well-known artists such as Luke James (McMaster & James), Kassav and Harmonik. In fact, she has had the pleasure of performing on many iconic Canadian stages such as Kroner Hall as well as many festivals in the Toronto area, such as The Beaches International Jazz Festival. Woodney Pierre had the pleasure of collaborating with producer Jos DaGreatest and his team at B.O.D.B. Studios in Ottawa, who brings his unique touch of pop to her music. A sign of great projects on the horizon, Woodney is eager to present his songs to live audiences in the months to come. - 30 - BIOGRAPHY Singer, songwriter and mental health advocate, Montreal born, Woodney Pierre’s music and actions are all bound by faith, love and hope. Her music is deeply rooted in classical, jazz but deeply passionate about soul, kompa and zouk, her vocal ability is undeniably impressive. Backing up artists such as Canadian sensation Luke James (McMaster & James) and opening for artists such as Kassav’ and Harmonik, she is not foreign to the stage. In fact, the stage is where she feels the most at home. Her voice and presence have graced many Canadian iconic stages such as Kroner Hall and many festivals in the Toronto area, such as The Beaches International Jazz Festival where she has performed primarily jazz, as well as zouk covers, bringing this underrated music to broader audiences. Her music marries beautifully her Haitian roots with her love of soul music. Woodney grew up in Toronto, a city girl at heart, following her mother to practices and performances. Daughter of an opera singer, she followed in these footsteps. Singing at school, church choir in her youth, shadowed by her presence in the Sault Saint-Marie Royal Conservatory, she found herself through music. It became and has remained an intricate part of who she is and how she relates with the world. To honour her late brother, in 2012, Woodney Pierre founded the Matty Jae Youth Foundation. In the belief to not only educate youth on the subject of mental illness but to continue the same drive Matthew had for the arts, among youth. The Matty Jae Youth Foundation not only embodies elements of who Matthew was, and his dream and passion for the arts, but also seeks to break down the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourages those who are directly and indirectly affected by mental illness and suicide to speak up and continue in their role as supporters. Matthew demonstrated to all whose life he touched that each life is valuable and priceless, his legacy will live on. Currently, she is exploring her skills as a songwriter which will enhance her many talents and continue in her healing journey, in hopes to help others heal as well.Her voice is mighty, her tone is smooth, her faith is strong and her music is here to stay. Her first single ICI produced by Ottawa based Jos DaGreatest at the B.O.D.B. Studio, a collaboration she hopes to pursue. The single is distributed by APCM and will available on all streaming platforms as of May 28th 2021. |