Latest news with #MackenzieHall
CTV News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
New jazz and arts festival a ‘testament' to interest in Windsor
Kasan Belgrave, left, and Russ Macklem perform at the first ever Port Windsor Jazz & Arts Festival in Windsor, Ont. on July 6, 2025. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) For the second time in as many days, a new platform for jazz musicians and fans alike debuted in Windsor. Parked in lawn chairs, music lovers sat around the Mary E. Bibb Park Gazebo to enjoy the Port Windsor Jazz & Arts Festival. Hugh Leal, the festival's artistic director and producer, told CTV News the event was an 'outgrowth' of various jazz events throughout the years. 'I think it's a testament to interest in jazz in Windsor. There's been an uptick in that there's some new young players that have come along the last eight or nine years,' Leal said. The day-long event featured acts outside, as well as inside Mackenzie Hall. Along with jazz tunes, the festival featured poetry, visual arts, vendors, and dancing. Leal, who has a lengthy list of accomplishments in the jazz industry, said the genre has at times been described as 'on its way out,' but always seems to find new momentum. 'I mean, there's musicians that have this talent. It's inside of them. They want to improvise. They want them to swing,' Leal said. 'So, this is a music that's been around now for about 120 years. I don't see it going anywhere.' As for the recent uptick of events in Windsor, Leal noted there's a growing appreciation for the genre and what it brings. 'The music is a little more laid back, a little cool right now, and there's an audience for that, that wants to just be able to relax,' he said.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Experienced Leader Owen James Promoted to President of PRA Group Europe
Promotion Builds on Successful 13-Year Career at PRA Group, Most Recently Overseeing Record Portfolio Investments as Global Investments Officer NORFOLK, Va., June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PRA Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: PRAA), a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, has promoted Owen James to president of PRA Group Europe. As president of PRA Group Europe, James will provide leadership across 15 markets in Europe, Canada and Australia. He will also be responsible for overseeing portfolio investments across Europe, while building on the continued profitability of the European business. James will report to President and CEO Martin Sjolund, who he succeeds. "I am honored to serve as president of PRA Group Europe and to build upon the success of our European business. I am excited to continue working with our senior leadership team in this new capacity to execute our strategy and further strengthen our company's presence in key strategic markets across Europe," said James. Over the past seven years, PRA Group's European business has delivered strong results and become a significant driver of the company's performance, with more than $3 billion successfully invested in portfolios across Europe. James has more than 30 years of experience in financial services. He joined PRA Group 13 years ago, through the company's acquisition of Mackenzie Hall Holdings in 2012. James performed various leadership roles in PRA Group's European business before serving as global investments officer, where he oversaw the company's global investment strategy. Prior to joining PRA Group, he worked for more than 15 years in a variety of senior roles at Intrum, a major European debt servicer and buyer. "Having worked with Owen for more than 10 years, he is the ideal person to lead PRA Group Europe to continued success. Owen has deep investment experience, strong operational know-how and is a highly respected leader in the global nonperforming loan industry. I know he will build upon PRA Group Europe's track record of success as one of the most efficient debt-buying operations," said Sjolund. About PRA GroupAs a global leader in acquiring and collecting nonperforming loans, PRA Group, Inc. returns capital to banks and other creditors to help expand financial services for consumers in the Americas, Europe and Australia. With thousands of employees worldwide, PRA Group companies collaborate with customers to help them resolve their debt. For more information, please visit Media Contact:Giovanna GenardVice President, Global Communications and External Affairs | Marketing Leader(757) Investor Contact:Najim Mostamand, CFAVice President, Investor Relations(757) 431-7913IR@ SOURCE PRA Group, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
11-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Local student wins scholarship to preserve Windsor's Mackenzie Hall
Sandy MacDonald (left) and David Piper-Clark seen in Windsor, Ont. on June 11, 2025. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor) Windsor is coming together to preserve Mackenzie Hall in Sandwich Town. David Piper-Clark, a St. Clair College horticultural student, has been named the landscape steward for the building, which was built in 1855 by Alexander Mackenzie. Piper-Clark was given a $5,000 scholarship by the Windsor Port Authority and The Friends of the Court for Mackenzie Hall. In his role, he will work with city staff to take care of the landscaping. 'Our storied Mackenzie Hall in historic Sandwich Town is one of our community's true gems,' said Mayor Drew Dilkens. 'It has been wonderful to see this initiative build on solid partnerships between the city and various community partners; and to watch the spin-off impacts of this work in the neighbourhood.' Dilkens continued, adding the landscaping will help improve the space, which is key in Windsor's history. The horticulture scholarship started in 2016 as a need for more attention to the property was needed. 'Mackenzie Hall's unique historical and locational positioning makes for a great opportunity for a student to practice and hone their landscape maintenance skills,' said Sandy MacDonald, professor of horticulture at St. Clair College. 'We always seek a student who is diligent and keen, with a great work ethic. Our consideration is also toward someone who can work independently and troubleshoot small issues as they occur; someone whose friendly personality means that he can communicate well with the public and individuals involved with this project.' MacDonald said Piper-Clark exhibits all these characteristics and is positively considered within the department.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Windsor celebrates the legacy of Canadian Jazz musician Oscar Peterson
Windsor celebrated one of Canada's and the world's greatest jazz musicians over the weekend. The 100th anniversary of Oscar Peterson's birth was celebrated with a sold out concert at Mackenzie Hall in Sandwich Town on Sunday. A jazz quartet of performed Peterson originals from 'The Canadiana Suite', his classic 'Hymn to Freedom' and arrangements of his famous collaborations with various jazz legends. Mike Karloff (piano), Paul Keller (bass), Randy Napoleon (guitar), and Pete Siers (drums) comprised the highly respected foursome of accomplished musicians who took the stage Sunday afternoon. Hugh Leal and his wife Kathy are co-producers of the Windsor Jazz Concert Series. For Leal, his passion for jazz is exemplified with concerts that pay tribute to the greats. 'And these great musicians that have taken the time to study and prepare his very fine arrangements, creative arrangements of his own compositions,' said Leal. 'But also, there are some old standards and hits. He had like Night Train and, it's great to be able to recognize the, the music of one of Canada's all-time great musicians on the world scene.' Amongst numerous awards and honours - Peterson was an Order of Canada recipient. He died at the age of 82 in 2007.
