Jully Black Joins Cast of Canadian Idol

Jully Black Joins Cast of Canadian Idol 4/9/08

Jully Black Joins Cast of Canadian Idol, This Summer on CTV JUNO Award-Winner Jully Black Joins the Cast of Canadian Idol, Airing This Summer on CTV

- Following her sensational performance and win at The 2008 JUNO Awards, the R&B Songstress adds even more flavour to all-star Idol cast -

TORONTO, April 9 /CNW/ - Hot on the heels of her win and stellar closing number at The 2008 JUNO Awards, CTV announced today that critically acclaimed recording artist Jully Black has joined the cast of Canadian Idol. Black will serve as mentor, confidant, critic, coach and voice of the people to competitors. At the same time, she will pull back the curtain and take Canadian Idol viewers behind the scenes on Canada's most-watched summer series. Black joins host Ben Mulroney and judges Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner on the six-person cast.

Hailed by The Ottawa Citizen as the Queen of R&B "and maybe even a contender for the throne occupied by the legendary Tina Turner," Universal Music Canada Recording artist and eTalk Celebrity Reporter Jully Black knows what it takes to be a success in the music industry. Now she brings that experience to Idol all summer long as she goes inside the rehearsal hall where the competitors' songs are chosen, performances are refined and some of the biggest moments in Canadian Idol history are brought to life. Black will also be there for the Idol competitors as someone to look up to, learn from and gain first-hand experience with, especially when it comes to how to navigate the complicated world of show business.

"It's a huge honor to have been asked to join the cast of Canadian Idol simply as me, Jully Black, the singer, songwriter, performer and friend," said Black. "Sometimes all one needs is a chance and it's a privilege for me to extend my role in helping this year's competitors take full advantage of such a chance. I'd like to thank my 'Shero', Susanne Boyce, and the entire CTV family for giving me the opportunity to be the face of a new dream while helping others achieve theirs."

"As evidenced last weekend at The JUNO Awards, Jully Black is a class act," said Susanne Boyce, President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc. "Her own personal story of how a dream can become reality, that despite difficult odds anything is achievable, is something that will inspire competitors and audiences alike."

"We couldn't be more thrilled that newly minted JUNO-winner Jully is joining the Idol team!" said John Brunton, Executive Producer of Canadian Idol. "Her passion, enthusiasm, heart and soul will bring a new dimension to our show. The fit couldn't be more perfect."

About Jully Black:

As a JUNO Award and MuchMusic Video Award winner, Jully Black has been a consistent figure in Canada's music scene for years and is one of the R&B pioneers to emerge out of the country. Raised in Toronto, Black discovered she could sing in church at a young age and over the years developed and strengthened her powerful alto voice. Her signature rasp and soul-stirring voice captured the ears of rappers and R&B artists south of the border where Black has written songs for international superstars Destiny's Child and Nas. She has also collaborated with a variety of talented Canadian artists, including Ian Thornley, Dallas Green of Alexisonfire and Hawksley Workman. Black has opened concerts for Jay-Z, 50 Cent, Usher and the Black Eyed Peas and shared the stage with R&B legend Patti Labelle and Aaron Neville at the 2005 Montreal Jazz Festival. She was featured on the Brown Sugar soundtrack and her songwriting has appeared in the films The Fighting Temptations and You Got Served.

Jully Black's chart-busting sophomore album, Revival, has earned numerous accolades including No. 1 Song and No. 1 Video for the hit single "Seven Day Fool" and a 2008 JUNO Award nomination. Black was awarded her first-ever JUNO Award this past weekend for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year.

Before embarking on her Canadian Idol journey this summer, Black will perform a national concert tour:

May 14: Calgary, AB, The Grand

May 15: Kelowna, BC, Kelowna Theatre

May 17: Vancouver, BC, The Commodore

May 18: Whistler, BC, Garfinkels

May 19: Victoria, BC, Element

May 21: Edmonton, AB, Myer Horowitz Theatre

May 22: Banff, AB, Wild Bills

May 23: Saskatoon, SK, The Broadway Theatre

May 24: Winnipeg, MB, The Garrick

May 26: Thunder Bay, ON, Thunder Bay Community Auditorium

May 28: Hamilton, ON, Westside Live

May 29: London, ON, Aeolian Hall

May 30: Toronto, ON, The Danforth Music Hall

Source: CTV Press Release