JANE BUNNETT has confirmed the release of her new album On Firm Ground / Tierra Firme with MAQUEQUE will be released 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, JANE 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.
Pianist Danae Olano wrote three compositions and has becomes Jane'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 Jane 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, who adds a beautiful acoustic bass sound. Another surprise is the addition of MAQUEQUE’s newest member, Joanna 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," done in a conga style and clocking in just under three minutes.
In conjunction with the album's release, JANE BUNNETT and MAQUEQUE will kick off an approximate 20-date run this summer and fall kicking off in Michigan with more concerts to be announced shortly.
JANE BUNNETT AND MAQUEQUE 2019 SUMMER TOUR DATES
June 21 – East Lansing, MI / Summer Solstice Jazz Festival
June 22 – Almonte, ON / Almonte Old Town Hall
June 29 – Montreal, QC / Montreal Jazz Festival - with Bebel Gilberto at Théâtre Maisonneuve
July 1 – Toronto, ON / Canada Day at Harbourfront Centre
July 5 – Iowa City, IA / Iowa City Jazz Festival
July 7 – Indianapolis, IN / The Jazz Kitchen
July 13-14 – Chicago, IL / Chicago Latin Jazz Festival
