Selected emerging artists will be provided with mentoring, education, and development from music industry leaders
TORONTO – The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and Slaight Music today announced the artists selected for the 2021/2022 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program: Jesse Gold, RIELL and Sebastian Gaskin. These emerging musicians, selected by a Super Jury of music industry notables, will join Jhyve the 2021 winner of CBC’s annual search to find the next great Canadian artist, and receive crucial tools to help them become “JUNO ready”.
CARAS is grateful to the late Allan Slaight, Canada’s broadcast industry trailblazer and philanthropist, and Slaight Music who have been instrumental in their support of one of CARAS’ key pillars of Developing emerging artists, through Allan’s namesake program, now in its seventh year.
2021/2022 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class participants:
- Jesse Gold – Toronto, ON
- Jhyve – Scarborough, ON
- RIELL – Edmonton, AB
- Sebastian Gaskin – Split Lake, MB
Left to right: Jesse Gold, Jhyve, RIELL, Sebastian Gaskin.
“My father, Allan, was a true leader in championing Canadian artists, and I know that he would be proud of the support this program continues to provide emerging talent in his honour.” said Gary Slaight, President & CEO, Slaight Communications. “We continue to see the positive effect this program has on all the selected artists and we’re thrilled to help foster this year’s class and bolster their profile in Canada and beyond.”
“We are very proud that this development program continues to attract diverse musical talent from across the country and I’m looking forward to watching these artists create a lasting impact on the Canadian and global music scene” said Allan Reid, President and CEO, CARAS/The JUNO Awards. “Allan Slaight’s entrepreneurial spirit and charitable contributions have had an undeniable impact on the Canadian music industry and we are proud to continue to honour his legacy through The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class program.”
The four selected artists will participate in a hybrid virtual and in-person customized mentorship week in Toronto, ON, from October 18 – 22, in collaboration with Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI). This year’s program will provide mentorship opportunities that will help artists succeed in today’s climate. Additionally, participants will receive an all-inclusive trip to attend JUNO Week, May 9 – 15 and the 51st annual JUNO Awards in Toronto, where one artist will be invited to perform at the JUNO Opening Night Awards for the Canadian music industry.
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The 2021/2022 Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class is supported by: 
Social Media:
The JUNO Awards: @TheJUNOAwards / @TheJUNOAwards / @TheJUNOAwards
#JUNOS / #JUNOMasterClass
Slaight Music: @SlaightMusic / @SlaightMusic / @SlaightMusic
Canada’s Music Incubator: @CMincubator / @CMIncubator/ @CMIncubator
Exclusive Broadcast and Content Partner: 
CARAS acknowledges the financial support of FACTOR, the Government of Canada, and Canada’s Private Radio Broadcasters.
Premier Sponsor: TD Bank Group
Lead Sponsor: SiriusXM Canada
Funding Partners: The Province of Ontario, the City of Toronto and Radio Starmaker Fund
About Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class
The Allan Slaight JUNO Master Class is an initiative that provides the crucial tools to help artists develop their careers, build their own sustainable business and become ‘JUNO ready’. The ‘Master Class’ includes a week-long customized artist development program co-developed with Canada’s Music Incubator at Coalition Music. This development program provides hands-on mentoring, networking and collaboration opportunities.
About CARAS
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) is a not-for-profit organization created to preserve and enhance the Canadian music industry and promote higher artistic and industry standards. CARAS’ mandate is comprised of four key pillars: Educate through our music education charity, MusiCounts, programs and initiatives, Develop emerging artists through mentorship and development programs, Celebrate Canadian artists with year-round JUNO Awards showcasing, and Honour music industry icons through the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. In 2021 The JUNO Awards celebrated its 50th Anniversary, with a national celebration of Canadian music. For more information on the JUNO Awards or The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) please visit www.junoawards.ca.
About Allan Slaight
A pioneer of rock and roll, Allan Slaight parlayed his entrepreneurial flair with his knowledge of radio to create Canada’s largest privately owned multimedia company, Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited.
Born in 1931, Allan hosted his own radio program, Spins and Needles, a late night jazz program, at age 16 at CHAB in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. He moved to Edmonton in 1950, working his way up the ladder being appointed in 1956 as the National Sales Manager at CHED. There he came to the attention of Allan Waters, owner of CHUM Radio in Toronto, who hired Allan to turn around the fortunes of his struggling station. Allan’s programming, promotions, and business acumen propelled CHUM into a household name.
Allan left the station in 1966 to coordinate programming and sales of Radio Caroline, the infamous pirate radio station. He returned to Canada in 1967, to become the President and General Manager of Stephens and Towndrow.
In 1970, Allan established Slaight Communications and acquired radio stations CFGM in Toronto and CFOX in Montreal. In 1977, Allan launched a new rock and roll radio station, CILQ-FM, known as Q107, in Toronto. In 1985, Slaight Communications sold CFGM and Q107, and purchased Standard Broadcasting Corporation Limited from Conrad Black. Under Allan’s leadership, Standard Broadcasting and Standard Radio grew from seven radio stations to a national network of over fifty. In 2007, the Slaight’s sold Standard Broadcasting to Astral Media.
Radio was not Allan’s only passion. He served as a trustee of Women’s College Hospital (1978- 1982), a director of the United Way of Greater Toronto (1979-1987), director of the Shaw Festival (1982-1988), a governor of York University (1986-1987), and a director of the Festival of Festivals (1989-1993).
An inductee into the Broadcast Hall of Fame (1997), the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Commerce from Ryerson Polytechnic University (2000), appointed a Member of the Order of Canada (2001), the recipient of the Walt Grealis Special Achievement Award (2005) for his contribution to the growth and development of the Canadian music industry, Allan has also maintained a lifelong interest in conjuring.
About Slaight Music
Slaight Music was started in 2011 with a mandate to support the Canadian music community through a variety of initiatives and to develop Canadian talent via strategic partnerships with industry peers.
About Canada’s Music Incubator
Canada’s Music Incubator (CMI) is a Toronto-based national not-for-profit organization specializing in professional development, ongoing mentorship and live events for artists, managers, and music companies. Launched in 2012, CMI supports 1,000+ emerging music entrepreneurs, of all genres, in the development of long-term careers and sustainable businesses. CMI has provided nearly 10,000 hours of professional development programs and one-on-one mentorship combined. CMI’s Live Events department works with private and community partners across the country curating paid performance opportunities for artists. To date, CMI has programmed 500+ shows and paid nearly $1 million directly to artists. CMI also advocates on behalf of music sector infrastructure development and creative entrepreneurship education in high schools.
For more information or interview requests please contact:
Elyssa Macri, CARAS/The JUNO Awards, [email protected], 647.361.3181