This project grew out of my love for the human voice. I’ve always wanted to sing… but woodwinds became my instrument of choice. I have always been inspired by the great voices of the jazz era.
Back in 2000 something new & very special happened upon hearing “Grupo vocal Desandann” in Camaguey Cuba while working on our NFB documentary “Spirits of Havana”. We were knocked out by the vibrations that hit us & transported someplace special by their ethereal sound. Desandann continue to do this to audiences all over the world, even though they sing in Creole of their beautiful Haitian heritage they are capable of taking their music in many directions.
On our first recording with Desandann “Cuban Odyssey” We got to know the depth of their Afro Cuban & Haitian roots. Now knowing them so much more we new we could go to the next step and hand them some very difficult modern jazz harmonies , rhythmically they have no equal, from Don Thompson’s challenging arrangements “Egberto” and “If you go away” to my arrangements- They are the heart and soul of this recording
Once we began working together the next step was to collaborate with singer lyricist. Kellylee Evans, who helped complete this project. Im very pleased of the pieces we worked on together.
EMI Music Canada
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 3, 2008
JANE BUNNETT IS EMBRACING VOICES
CELEBRATING HER NEW CD AT THE DIESEL PLAYHOUSE
WITH THE SPIRITS OF HAVANA AND SPECIAL GUESTS FROM THE RECORDING
– KELLYLEE EVANS, ELIZABETH SPEPPARD, CUBAN SINGER TELMARY AND OTHER SURPRISE GUESTS!
“Setting a new standard for vocal and instrumental jazz” – All About Jazz.com
“Embracing Voices not only embraces the art of singing but also the magnificence of the human spirit. At times dizzyingly beautiful, this recording is very highly recommended” – WholeNote Magazine
(TORONTO, ON) Currently 1 on the college jazz charts! EMI recording artist Jane Bunnett, the Toronto soprano saxophonist, flutist and bandleader, who just came back from a three week tour of Ireland that ended at the prestigious Cork Jazz Festival, will be playing at the Diesel Playhouse on November 21st.
Toronto Downtown Jazz (TDJ) and Diesel Playhouse, are happy to introduce a new concert series called Jazz @ The Playhouse. It will Feature seven intimate concerts for their 2008 Fall / Winter Concert Season. All performances begin at 9pm, and you could receive a special 20% discount when you purchase tickets for any three shows. Ticket price and details are shown below!
Jane Bunnett recently released her album, Embracing Voices in early August of this year. This was a new project that took Jane in a different direction from her past recordings, as it is the very first time that the majority of the tracks include vocalists, something that until now, she has never done.
Vocal talents from Molly Johnson, Kellylee Evans, Telmary and Grupo Vocal Desandann, an extraordinary Cuban vocal group of Haitian descent - who will also be joining Jane at her show - are some of the artists on Embracing Voices singing songs in English, Creole and Spanish!
Jane has built her career at the crossroads between Cuban music and jazz. Twice nominated for Grammy Awards, (Best Latin Jazz Recording 2002 for Alma de Santiago & 2003 for Cuban Odyssey), a fixture of nominations for Canada’s Juno Awards, winner at Canada’s Urban Music Awards for Best Global Recording in 2003 for Cuban Odyssey, and honoured with an appointment to the Order of Canada in 2004; Toronto’s own jazz virtuoso has turned her bands into showcases for the finest musical talent from Canada, the United States and Cuba.
Jane Bunnett is truly one of Canada’s most valuable artistic resources and you could see her live on November 21st! Don’t miss out!
TICKET INFO:
Diesel Playhouse, 56 Blue Jays Way
Tickets - $29.50 - are on sale at:
Ticketmaster – 416.870.8000, www.ticketmaster.ca
Diesel Playhouse Box Office – 416.971.5656, www.dieselplayhouse.com
All performances begin at 9pm
Websites
Updates posted on www.janebunnett.com
with links to www.emimusic.ca & www.bluenote.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 03, 2008
TORONTO'S OWN JAZZ VIRTUOSO JANE BUNNETT
TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM ~ EMBRACING VOICES
IN STORES AUGUST 5TH!
(TORONTO, ON) - EMI is proud to announce that Jane Bunnett, the Toronto
soprano saxophonist, flutist and bandleader, will release her new album
Embracing Voices on August 5th, 2008.
This new project is an exciting departure from Jane's past efforts, as it is
the very first time that the majority of the tracks include vocals and guest
vocalists, something that until now, Jane has never done.
With an honorary doctorate from Queen's University, Jane Bunnett has built
her career at the crossroads between Cuban music and jazz. Twice nominated
for Grammy Awards, (Best Latin Jazz Recording 2002 for Alma de Santiago &
2003 for Cuban Odyssey), a fixture of nominations for Canada's Juno Awards,
winner at Canada's Urban Music Awards for Best Global Recording in 2003 for
Cuban Odyssey, and honoured with an appointment to the Order of Canada in
2004; Toronto's own jazz virtuoso has turned her bands into showcases for
the finest musical talent from Canada, the United States and Cuba. Jane
Bunnett is truly one of Canada's most valuable artistic resources.
All of Jane's past recordings have been critically applauded and to date,
she is a very recognizable name in the World Music & Jazz scene but has yet
to crossover to mainstream audience, that is, until now!
With Jane's love of the human voice as an instrument and past collaborations
with a variety of vocalists at special events such as the yearly 'Global
Divas' event, Embracing Voices is the very first time that all of the
tracks include the vocal talents from some of the Jazz & World scene's best
and includes songs in English, Creole and Spanish!
From the jazz world, both established singer songstress Molly Johnson and
up-coming jazz diva Kellylee Evans lend their unique vocal styling to the
project. From the world scene, Cuban rap star artist Telmary and Grupo
Vocal Desandann, an extraordinary Cuban vocal group of Haitian descent are
included. This very unique and world renowned ensemble is composed mainly
of second and third generation Haitians who were born and raised in Cuba,
and bring their incredible history and lineage to this project with vocal
performances that demand attention!
Radio will feature first track "Serafina" featuring Kellylee Evans on
vocals. Jane will perform with Grupo Vocal Desandann throughout Southern
Ontario in July, with a major cross Canada tour planned for early 2009.
Tracks
1. Sway 5:59 (Featuring Kellylee Evans with Grupo Vocal Desandann)
2. Kalaidescope 6:12 (Featuring Kellylee Evans with Grupo Vocal Desandann)
3. Wongolo 6:15 (Featuring Grupo Vocal Desandann)
4. Serafina 4:30 (Featuring Kellylee Evans with Grupo Vocal Desandann)
5. If You Go Away 9:40 (Featuring Molly Johnson with Grupo Vocal Desandann)
6. Pancho Quinto 5:32 (Featuring Telmary Diaz with Grupo Vocal Desandann)
7. I Hear Voices 6:00 (Featuring Grupo Vocal Desandann with Barry Schiffman)
8. Chen nan Ren (protest song) 4:26 (Featuring Grupo Vocal Desandann)
9. Egberto 6:50 (Featuring Grupo Vocal Desandann)
10. A Nu Danse 4:51 (Featuring Grupo Vocal Desandann)
11. "Pa gen Dlo" (There is no Water) 4:00 (Featuring Jane Bunnett & Don
Thompson with Grupo Vocal Desandann)
12. The Only One (For Sheila Jordan) 6:08 (Featuring Kellylee Evans with
Grupo Vocal Desandann)
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ABOUT GRUPO VOCAL DESANDANN
Between 1795 and 1805 30,000 Haitians emigrated to eastern Cuba. Two more waves followed, 1920-1940 and the 1980's.
Today, estimates of the Haitian population in Cuba range from 300,000 to 1 million. Each wave of emigrants had its own distinct characteristics and brought with them their strong music and dance traditions, religion and cultural habits on their journey from Haiti to Cuba.
Grupo Vocal Desandann is an extraordinary Cuban vocal group of Haitian descent. The ensemble is composed mainly of second and third generation Haitians who were born and raised in Cuba, particularly in Camaguey. They preserve the rich cultural patrimony of their parents' and grandparents' birthplace through music. These artists execute with brilliance the most beautiful folkloric and popular songs of Haiti's yesteryears: the Haiti when Lumane Casimir, Haiti's most celebrated diva in the 1940s, was singing about the beauty of her country and who charmed the tourists with her sensational and magnificent voice. It was the Haiti when love was king.
Grupo Vocal Desandann, with it's unique Creole expression, is a revelation to its listeners. This Haitiano-Cuban musical group possesses a rich and varied repertoire. The nostalgic force of their music has caused some to shed tears. Listening to songs such as Gued» Nib¤, Haiti Ch»rie and Choucoune can give anyone Goosebumps. When they sing Lawouze or FÀy, which features a gay and explosive rustic rhythm called rab--day, even the most timid people will jump to their feet. The warm and rousing interpretations of Grupo Vocal Desandann's songs bring jubilation and warmth in everyone's heart. We must add that Grupo Vocal Desandann has enhanced the true value and beauty of Haitian music through radio, television and festivals in Cuba and the U.S. Their superb performance in October of 1997 in New York City was a vivid testimony to that exceptional quality they master.
this is just a quick note to let you know that this is the last chance to get a physical copy of my first album "Pretty Boys and Ugly Girls".
I'm going to release my new album this fall (subscribe to my blog if you want to be informed!) and the first one will then be only available as a download version.
So if you prefer a proper CD - like I do! - a record you can really hold in your hands, with all the artwork and stuff - this is your chance! :-)
Grab your hard copy of "Pretty Boys and Ugly Girls" now on CD Baby while stocks last!
Hi,Jane! Thank you very much for accepting me. It's a great honor and a great pleasure for me. You are always and forever very welcome. You are really so sweet. You can always count on my friendship,support,admiration and respect. I still have the autograph you gave me some years ago. Thank you very much. I love your music. Congratulations. Have a wonderful weekend. Cheers.
Hello, I hope this message finds you well. I am extending an invitation to all my MySpace friends to visit my new site at www. reverbnation. com/christoshatzis, listen to 20 new audio and video tracks of my music (also included in the attached tune widget) and add their email address to my mailing list. Members of the mailing list can also download tracks at that site. Enjoy the music.
Hello, I hope this message finds you well. I am extending an invitation to all my MySpace friends to visit my new site at www. reverbnation. com/christoshatzis, listen to 20 new audio and video tracks of my music (also included in the attached tune widget) and add their email address to my mailing list. Members of the mailing list can also download tracks at that site. Enjoy the music.
There is this contest thing and I just wanted to ask you to help me a bit :-) I usually don't take things like this too seriously, but this seems like fun and who knows what it is good for: Please vote for us on www. kultband. at and help us to win a professional video shooting! :-) The direct link is:
Please click the "top" button on the left side (it's the one with the thumb up...) That's all. No need to register or anything (except if you want to win an iphone). You can vote until November 16th and you can vote several times! Please also spread the word!
This project sounds fantastic. Thanks again to you and Larry for making Art of Jazz and especially (since I'm a notorious Brazilophile) the magical Hermeto and Egberto shows happen. All the best,
Dear Jane / Querida Jane I love listening to his music / Adoro escuchar su musica I've uploaded new songs, would be an honour for me that you can listen and comment / He subido temas nuevos, sería un honor para mí que usted pueda escucharlos y comentarlos Giant kisses !! / Besos gigantes !!
