When it comes to the Calgary music scene, Jory Kinjo is a seasoned veteran.
Born and raised in the city, Kinjo spends his time between Calgary and New York. “We’re lucky in Calgary and the musicians there don’t always realize that. If they don’t get out of Calgary and find out, then it is easy to take what we have there for granted. We have it good there,” said Kinjo from his apartment in ‘the Big Apple.’
Kinjo said in New York there is so much music going on all of the time that it makes it harder for a musician to make a living playing music there. Because of the growth of Calgary and influx of money and people, there are a lot more venues popping up and events for artists to play at, according to Kinjo.
“It has grown and it has grown in different ways. Now that I’ve been in the industry over 15 years, I have kind of seen things going up and down…where there are lots of venues and then venues close and then new ones open…it is the same thing with bands. That is just the industry. It goes in waves. I think that right now the music scene is really thriving more so than I’ve seen in my career. I have seen a lot of changes.”
Part of those changes has been the type of musical projects Kinjo has been a part of.
He attended the University of Calgary studying jazz before joining the soul/R&B group Mocking Shadows. They put out about six albums, performed with BB King, Buddy Guy and the Tragically Hip. In 2008, he toured Europe with popular Canadian ska/punk band the Planet Smashers. While still playing shows with Mocking Shadows, other projects of his include Jory Kinjo & the Relays, Goodfoot and a family project called the Kinjo Bros. Last year, he played a big reggae show in Calgary with the legendary Ziggy Marley.
“I’ve been able to do a lot of different things. It is nice to be able to play in different genres and have those opportunities. Good memories for sure,” Kinjo said.
But lately, Kinjo has been taking some time to focus on some solo material.
“I find it to be so much easier than organizing a huge band. Sometimes Mocking Shadows was a seven to 10 piece band with a crew. Sometimes we would be 12 to 14 people travelling. It is just a lot of work. I wanted something really simple and to play different kinds of sound,” he said.
That new sound will be released on a collaborative album with long time friend and musician Freddy B. The duo will release a yet-to-be-titled album this spring that he described as a ‘soulful acoustic reggae album.’
“I’m really looking forward to this project. I haven’t pursued something this specific in a duo capacity. It has always been about bands with me,” said Kinjo. “I am really excited about it. I think it is going to be a really great album. I think the songs are really strong and it is a cool and different thing.”
Kinjo said he and Freddy went to Western Canada High School in Calgary and have been playing together in different bands since they were 14 years old.
“Freddy is actually a drummer and I’m a bass player. We had always played together in these projects as drum and bass. For this we picked up two acoustic guitars so it is going to be totally different,” he said.
You can catch Kinjo and Freddy B. at Legacy Guitar and Coffee House March 14. For more information visit jorykinjo.com.
