Jason Bajada @ NXNE 2008

BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION: Jason Bajada is a solo singer-songwriter from Montreal and — if his songs were any indication — a single guy as well.

Grade: 80

Comment:
Quieter acts always struggle at the annual NXNE schmoozathon. At a venue that's also a restaurant filled with clattering dishes, sizzling appetizers and talkative diners, Jason Bajada hardly had a chance. Yet in spite of the background din and an irritating buzz in the speakers, Bajada showed great concentration and poise as he worked through his set of soft, understated love songs.

Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
70-79: Achieves required skills and knowledge. Meets rock 'n' roll standard.
60-69: Demonstrates some skills. Approaches rock 'n' roll standard.
50-59: Demonstrates some required skills and knowledge in a limited way.
00-50: Has not demonstrated required skills or knowledge.

Learning Skills: E=Excellent, G=Good, S=Satisfactory, N=Sad Really

Oral And Visual Communication
Eye Contact: G
Pronunciation: E
Stage Presence: E
Stage Banter: E
Image: G
Appearance: G
Use Of Stage: G

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep: 
Wishing the diners at the back a good meal, Bajada strummed into another relaxed coffee shop ballad. His mellow voice and dry wit were the keys to his victory in hostile territory. All his songs had a story, he said, but they're all about the same girl. They always are.

Musical Analysis
Level Of Participation: E
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Work Habits: E
Organization: E
Audience Participation: S
Sound: N
Composition: E
Songs: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
Like his sense of humour, Bajada's songs had a subtle confidence to them. His deft strumming patterns could summon empathy from the scattered, swaying Supermarket audience the way a stone-faced straightman can coax laughs from a rowdy vaudeville hall. Is it weird to call somebody the Jack Benny of acoustic folk?

Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
Charisma: E 
Problem Solving: E
Teamwork: E
Sexiness: G
Haircut: G
Indie Rock Footwear: G
Nods To Disposible Fashion: S
Cool Equipment: S
Level Of Inebriation: G
Actual Ability: E

Strengths/Weaknesses/NextStep:
The soft-spoken wizard cast a spell on the room. Fidgeting fingers transmogrified into flickering candles. Yapping mouths became open ears. Tired eyes turned into to teary ones. Even with the odds stacked against him, Bajada managed to draw the room's attention by carrying on like there was no other choice.