In celebration of Glenn Gould's 85th birthday year, Sony Classical has announced the release of a package the label claims is "the most comprehensive special edition ever dedicated to a single classical music album."

Glenn Gould: The Goldberg Variations - The Complete Unreleased Recording Sessions features his complete 1955 recording sessions of Bach's Goldberg Variations on five CDs (including the studio conversations between him and his producer), restored from the original 1/4-inch analogue tapes and remastered using 24 bit / 96 kHz technology, plus the final album on both CD and heavyweight 180g vinyl, as well as an extra CD, Glenn Gould Discusses his Performances of the "Goldberg Variations" with Tim Page.

The edition comes with a 90 x 60 cm (36 x 24") poster and a 280-page hard-cover coffee-table book. The release date is Sept. 1.

— MusiCounts, Canada's music education charity associated with the Juno Awards, has partnered with PledgeMusic in a fundraising campaign that will allow the further purchase of musical instruments for youth in need.

Rock star gear ranging from autographed guitars to signed portraits that is up for bidding includes items from Bryan Adams, Chuck Berry, Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes. More information here

— Returning for its ninth year this September, the Canadian Music Café capitalizes on the international attention placed on Toronto during the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) by bringing Canadian music talent to the ears of film and television music supervisors and gathering there.

The 2017 edition of takes place September 11th and 12th in the heart of downtown Toronto (venue tba). Submissions for showcase consideration are open until June 30.. 

— Versatile songstress Lily Frost will launch her EP Rebound (Aporia Records) as part of the second edition of her Big City Social performance series at Torontos Lula Lounge on June 29. She performs with her band The Gentlemen Callers, and the evening includes DJ David Faris, a set by Tennessee Voodoo Coupe, dance lessons and burlesque performers.

— Winnipeg's female punk duo Mobina Galore has been touring virtually non-stop since the February release of the album Feeling Disconnected. Jenna Priestner and  Marcia Hanson aren't ready to quit yet, and they have a 12- date Canadian tour on tap, from July 13-27, followed by 21 Stateside shows, interspersed with an Aug 19 appearance at Montreal's DesBouleaux Fest. Here's their full itinerary.

— Canadian country star Tim Hicks has earned a platinum plaque for his viral smash hit "Stronger Beer." He received the award at a surprise event at Grace O'Malley's in Toronto on Monday, and, just to add to the occasion, Hicks was also presented with two Road Gold certifications from CIMA for 2015/16 and 2016/17, marking his road warrior status, as well as a platinum plaque for earlier breakout hit “Get By.”

At the soiree, Ron Kitchener, President of RGK Entertainment Group, called Hicks "the ultimate triple threat; he writes top 10 radio hits, achieves multiple gold and now platinum singles and sells concert tickets." Hicks plays festivals across the country over the summer. Dates here

RIP

Geri Allen, a widely influential jazz pianist, composer and educator, passed away on June 27, of cancer, at age 60. Her solo piano albums were highly regarded, and she contributed to notable albums by Ornette Coleman, Oliver Lake, Charlie Haden, Steve Coleman, Charles Lloyd, and many others. Allen recently collaborated with Terri Lyne Carrington, Esperanza Spalding, and David Murray. On Facebook yesterday, jazz veteran Jane Bunnett termed Allen's death "an incredibly sad and huge loss."