Canadian Songbook
Canadian Songbook
Podcast Description
Canadian Songbook is a documentary-style podcast hosted by Juno-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini, celebrating the diverse voices that define Canada's musical landscape. From opera stars and jazz artists to music educators and community leaders, each episode explores how music has shaped the life of one guest at a time, across generations and geographies.
Told through candid conversations and warm storytelling, these are the journeys of real people—musicians who honed their voice and found connection in childhood choirs, high school bands, smoky jazz clubs, and summer music camps. You’ll hear how one person's family, heritage, and community helped forge their path to international stages—and how collaboration, creativity, and mentorship continue to shape their uniquely Canadian sound.
Whether you are drawn to stories of growth and transformation, curious about creative culture, or simply interested in the lives behind Canada's creative scene, Canadian Songbook offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of what it means to grow through music in Canada.
🎵 This podcast is a growing archive of voices and visions, rooted in rhythm, memory, and home.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on a variety of themes such as personal growth through music, the influence of community and heritage, and the evolution of artistic expression. Episodes include stories of musicians like Jim Creeggan, detailing his journey from informal jam sessions to arena performances, and Mike Murley, exploring the transformative power of jazz in different cultural settings.
Canadian Songbook is a documentary-style podcast hosted by Juno-winning drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini, celebrating the diverse voices that define Canada’s musical landscape. From opera stars and jazz artists to music educators and community leaders, each episode explores how music has shaped the life of one guest at a time, across generations and geographies.
Told through candid conversations and warm storytelling, these are the journeys of real people—musicians who honed their voice and found connection in childhood choirs, high school bands, smoky jazz clubs, and summer music camps. You’ll hear how one person’s family, heritage, and community helped forge their path to international stages—and how collaboration, creativity, and mentorship continue to shape their uniquely Canadian sound.
Whether you are drawn to stories of growth and transformation, curious about creative culture, or simply interested in the lives behind Canada’s creative scene, Canadian Songbook offers an intimate and inspiring portrait of what it means to grow through music in Canada.
🎵 This podcast is a growing archive of voices and visions, rooted in rhythm, memory, and home.
In this episode, Grammy-nominated baritone Elliot Madore recounts a journey shaped as much by passion as by serendipity – from childhood days walking around Toronto with a Walkman full of Brahms, to a life-changing encounter with a vocal coach who opened the door to opera. In conversation with host Ernesto Cervini, Madore reflects on formative experiences in Toronto’s youth choirs, the disciplined joy of summer bootcamps with the Toronto All-Star Big Band, and the moment onstage at the Met when he first felt at ease, truly at home in his voice. With humility and humour, he explores how family, identity, and mentorship shaped his artistry, and how opera came to feel deeply personal. It’s a portrait of musical belonging, and the quiet persistence required to become oneself on the world’s grandest stages.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.