Thursday, August 08, 2019

LATIN JAZZ GRAMMY NOMINATED, JANE BUNNETT & MAQUEQUE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM "ON FIRM GROUND / TIERRA FIRME"


On the heels of a headlining performance at the prestigious Montreal International Jazz Festival, JANE BUNNETT has confirmed the release of her new album On Firm Ground / Tierra Firme with MAQUEQUE, to be released on September 6, 2019 via Linus Entertainment.

JANE BUNNETT and MAQUEQUE has evolved - in less than five years - from a project to support and honor the new generation of young women jazz players and composers, to a Grammy-nominated, critically acclaimed band that is in demand internationally at major Jazz festivals.

This all-female collective is led by veteran jazz icon, soprano saxophone player, flautist, composer and proud Canadian JANE BUNNETT. With five Juno awards, three Grammy nominations and an Officer of the Order of Canada (Canada's highest civilian award) JANE BUNNETT decided to dedicate herself to taking MAQUEQUE to the world.

Prior to recording On Firm Ground / Tierra Firme, BUNNETT and MAQUEQUE went from strength to strength touring constantly from Canada's Yukon to Colombia, Brazil, Cuba and Panama, to major US Jazz festivals and clubs including Newport, Monterey, Saratoga, Birdland and Lincoln Center.

A recent collaborator, Sacred Steel guitar player and vocalist Nikki D Brown, comes from the Church and hails from Toledo, Ohio. She contributes fiery steel and soulful vocals to On Firm Ground and melancholy playing and vocals on "Broken Heart." Dayme Arocena (a founding member and inspiration for the group) is full on for this recording and offers her composition, "Mysteries of Jane's House," showing how in a few short years she has become one of the bright lights and biggest stars in Afro Cuban Jazz.

L-R: Tailin Marrero Zamora, Yissy GarcĂ­a, Joanna Tendai Majoko, Mary Paz, Jane Bunnett,
Danae Plano
  
Pianist Danae Olano wrote three compositions and has become Bunnett's closest collaborator. Her playing and composition skills have blossomed, and her pieces represent the heart and soul of this third Maqueque recording. Other highlights include three new Bunnett compositions, including "Monkey See, Monkey Do" with lyrics by past member Melvis Santa, who adds her vocals throughout the CD. Drummer Yissy Garcia is the heartbeat and power that propels Maqueque along, especially with new members Mary Paz on percussion and bassist Tailin Marrero Zamora, who adds a beautiful acoustic bass sound. Another surprise is the addition of MAQUEQUE's newest member, Joanna Tendai Majoko, an incredibly soulful vocalist whose roots are in Zimbabwe and who immediately connected with the MAQUEQUE groove.

Producer Larry Cramer contributes a stunning take on John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice," titled "Momentum," done in a conga style and clocking in at just over three minutes.
  
JANE BUNNETT AND MAQUEQUE 2019 TOUR DATES:
August 16 - Picton, ON / Prince Edward County Jazz Fest - The Regent Theatre
August 23-24 - Maynooth, ON / The Arlington Hotel
September 1 - Toronto, ON / Harbourfront Centre - Labour Day Weekend Festival - CD launch celebrating On Firm Ground
September 5 - Toronto, ON / JAZZ.FM Live to Air
September 14 - Selbyville, DE / Arts & Jazz Festival / Freeman Stage
September 17, 18 - New York City / the Jazz Standard
September 19 - Lewisburg, PA / Bucknell University
September 20 - New York City / Flushing Town Hall
September 21 - Baltimore / Eubie Blake Center for Contemporary Arts
September 25 - Salisbury, MD / Salisbury University
September 27 - Frederick, MD / New Spire Arts
November 1 - Orillia, ON / St Paul's Centre / Orillia Centre for Arts and Culture
November 3 - Cabarete / Dominican Republic Jazz Festival
December 5, 6, 7, 8 / Chicago, Il - Jazz Showcase
December 13 - Pittsburgh / MCG Jazz
December 14 - Wellsboro, PA / Deane Center
December 15 - Buffalo, NY / A Latin Jazz Christmas with Jane Bunnett and Maqueque / Nichols Flickinger Performing Arts Center


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