Toronto-based Ori Dagan 1 of 12 Jazz Artists to Perform at SXSW

Exciting news this week for Canada’s music scene: Award-winning jazz artist Ori Dagan is confirmed to perform at the 2018 South By Southwest Music Conference in Austin, Texas this March.

As seen on Billboard.com, Ori Dagan is one of just 12 Jazz artists out of SXSW’s total lineup of 600 musical acts, and the only Canadian Jazz artist on the bill.

Ori Dagan will perform his critically acclaimed release Nathaniel: A Tribute to Nat King Cole as well as showcase the album’s accompanying videos that formed the genre’s first ever visual jazz album.

The release debuted at #1 on the iTunes Canada Jazz Chart, and has racked up an impressive series of International awards and accolades, as well as hefty growth as a beloved fan favorite genre-wide. Hitting more than 100k collective views on YouTube within days of release, Nathaniel’s visual album also took home Global Music Awards’ Silver Medal Winner for Best Album, Nevada International Film Festival’s Winner of Platinum Reel Award for “Sting of the Cactus”, Open World Toronto Film Festival’s Winner of Best Music Video for “Sting of the Cactus”, Australian Port Shorts Film Festival’s Official Selection for “Sweetheart”, India’s Arthouse Asia Official Selection for “Bibimbap”, and many more.

Award-winning jazz singer, songwriter and recording artist Ori Dagan is, quite simply, an original. His rich baritone voice and impressive abilities as an improviser produce an instantly recognizable sound.

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Having won numerous accolades for his witty and inventive original songs — from “Googleable” (his ode to a search engine) to “Clap on the 2 and the 4” (an anthem for the rhythmically challenged), it’s his most recent release Nathaniel: A Tribute to Nat King Cole (2017) and its accompanying collection of imaginative and delightful videos that have created the largest bounty of awards for the singer yet.

Released October 2017, Ori Dagan’s third studio recording won Silver for “Best Album” at the Global Music Awards soon after release. The collection debuted at #1 on the iTunes Canada Jazz Chart, and is a unique homage to one of the genre’s most legendary musicians and pop culture icons. Featuring five original songs inspired by facets of Cole’s life, music and legacy, with highly-esteemed special guests Sheila Jordan, Alex Pangman, and Jane Bunnett, it’s no wonder Nathaniel has caught the ears and approval of the likes of Jazz FM.

In a move as bold and next-level as Ori himself, Nathaniel: A Tribute to Nat King Cole was also jazz’s first ever visual album, with a collection of 12 original music videos spanning the mediums of live action to claymation to felt puppetry portraying each track.