Jane Bunnett And Maqueque

Jane Bunnett and Maqueque has evolved from a project to support and honour 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) Bunnett decided to dedicate herself to taking Maqueque to the world.

ODDARA is the sophomore release from four–time JUNO Award winner, two–time GRAMMY Award nominee and Officer of the Order of Canada, soprano saxophonist/flautist Jane Bunnett and Maqueque. Jane Bunnett's latest project is an assembly of all–star Cuban musicians, an ensemble which includes herself and five extraordinary young females known as Maqueque ("the energy of a young girl's spirit"). Brought together and mentored by Bunnett, Maqueque includes Yissy Garcia on drums, Dánae Olano on piano, Melvis Santa on percussion and vocals,

Jane Bunnett and Maqueque has evolved from a project to support and honour 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) Bunnett decided to dedicate herself to taking Maqueque to the world.

There has been a constant stimulating fascination associated with Cuba that has attracted numerous jazz musicians to delve deeper into its musical traditions. Also, judging by the amount of recent recordings by Cuban artists, and those who feature them in collaborative efforts, the island sustains its status as a vital source of inspiration on the global jazz scene. Cuba captivated saxophonist/flautist Jane Bunnett many years ago, eventually leading her to form the all-female group Maqueque in 2013, culminating in a well received, self-titled record the following year. Oddara expands upon the Afro-Cuban format established on the first record, and further exhibits the collective talent which comprises the group.

Jane Bunnett & Maqueque are a force of nature. What started out five years ago as a project to record and mentor young brilliant Cuban female musicians, has become one of the top groups on the North American jazz scene. In the last year, they have played in major jazz festivals like Newport and Monterey, been featured on NPR’s programs Jazz Night in America and TIny Desk Concert, were nominated for a Grammy Award for their newest release, Oddara, and, most recently, were voted as one of the top ten jazz groups by the prestigious DownBeat magazine’s critics poll.

Daymé Arocena is an award-winning Afro-Cuban jazz singer from Havana, who has been described as Cuba's "finest young female singer". She won the 2015 Juno Award for the best jazz album, as a member of the jazz band Maqueque performing with Canadian musician Jane Bunnett. Arocena is on National Public Radio's list of 50 favourite albums of 2015, with the album "Nueva Era". Describing Arocena's voice, NPR host Felix Contreras called her "a cross between Celia Cruz and Aretha Franklin", saying that Arocena's name "deserved to be alongside those two legendary voices".