As auditions for Canadian Idol begin today in Winnipeg, the show’s judges have finally been announced.

Singer-songwriter Sass Jordan, Farley Flex, Jake Gold and Zack Werner make up the judging panel, which will travel across Canada over the next two months for the auditions.

They will be responsible for evaluating and trimming down the thousands of singing hopefuls to just 30 before the viewers are able to start voting.

Due to the overwhelming demand of people wanting to audition, CTV has decided to go with a “just show up” policy, in which hopefuls just have to come prepared to the auditions and do not have to send in any applications as had originally been planned.

Open calls will continue in Vancouver (April 22), Calgary (April 27), Montreal (May 3), Ottawa (May 7), Halifax (May 13), St. John’s (May 21) and Toronto (May 26).

So who are these judges? The following descriptions (provided by CTV) will get you informed.

Sass Jordan, singer-songwriter
Juno Award-winning artist Sass Jordan is an internationally recognized singer/songwriter who has sold over one million CD’s worldwide. Her discography includes a collection of five releases beginning with Tell Somebody in 1988 and most recently “Hot Gossip” in 2000. She is currently recording her sixth CD. In addition to her successful solo career, the bilingual Montrealer has collaborated with the likes of recording heavyweights Aerosmith, Van Halen, Bryan Adams, Carlos Santana and Steve Perry. Jordan joins the Canadian Idol team after recently starring in the lead role of Janis Joplin in the off-Broadway hit, “Love, Janis.”

Farley Flex, former manager and radio musical director
Farley Flex has been instrumental in the ongoing shaping the Canadian urban music scene and continues to play a pivotal role in the establishment of urban music radio stations. Before becoming the inaugural musical director at Canada’s first urban music radio station, Toronto-based FLOW 93.5 FM, Flex managed one of Canada’s most successful solo rap artists, Maestro. He currently serves as a board member for VideoFACT, which funds music videos for independent Canadian artists.

Jake Gold, manager
Named three times as the Canadian Music Industry’s “Manager of the Year” (1991, 1993 and 1994), Jake Gold is one of Canada’s most successful and accomplished artist managers. Gold is best known for his role in establishing and transforming The Tragically Hip into a national icon. Gold currently presides over The Management Trust, a successful Toronto-based artist management company he also owns.

Zack Werner, music executive
Winnipeg native Zack Werner has enjoyed a varied and extensive career in the music industry as an artist, producer, entertainment lawyer and manager. Werner is President of Toronto-based Venus Management and Venus Records (distributed by EMI), where he spends his time finding and developing new talent across Canada. The company provides personal management for artists including esthero (Warners), Robin Black and the Intergalactic Rockstars (Sextant/EMI), Skye Sweetnam (Venus/Capitol), Patricia O’Callaghan (Marquis/EMI), Michelle Shaprow (Reprise) and James Robertson (EMI Music Publishing).






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