Quesnel Live Arts Upcoming Performances

MAYA RAE

Coming in Fall 2022.

One of Canada’s Top 35 Jazz Artists Under 35…a supremely gifted artist who is able to phrase like Sarah Vaughan but write a lyric like Joni Mitchell.” – CBC 

“Her album Sapphire Birds is accomplished and speaks well of her depth, and proves there is a lot of pop and soul that takes Rae out of the jazz world… the arrangements are sympathetic, remarkably spare enough to provide Rae with accompaniment but giving her room to stand out and sing.” – Vancouver Sun

Poised at the crossroads between innocence and experience, Maya Rae’s voice communicates with an immediacy and commitment that most artists never attain. In an age when so much music feels overproduced and lacking in genuine emotion, Maya’s songs come like a breath of fresh air. Vital, committed and uplifting, the upcoming sophomore release from Maya Rae, ‘Can You See Me?’ is the real deal.

Because she’s been singing professionally since the age of twelve, recorded her first album (“Sapphire Birds”)of jazz and classic pop standards at thirteen, and has gone on to sing with some of the biggest names in Canadian jazz. It’s understandable that much of what’s been written about Maya has focused on how much she’s accomplished at such a young age. And, even though she’ll be just shy of 18 when ‘Can You See Me?’ is released, the quality of the music speaks for itself.

Confident and vulnerable, soulful and revealing, the songs on her new album are as impressive as you will hear anywhere. Produced by veteran roots musician and multiple Juno Award winner Steve Dawson, Can You See Me? takes the listener on a journey through the soul of a deeply talented young artist.

Maya’s live performances allow the listener to hear a young storyteller on stage, weaving her original songs through a concert that is also mixed with jazz standards and classics. Maya says, “I write songs that convey a message of self-love and female empowerment. The main message that I want to get across to my listeners is to promote one’s authenticity and to bring hope and empowerment to those who listen.

TONYE AGANABA

Coming in Fall 2022.

Tonye Aganaba is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, and arts facilitator residing on the unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam & Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.

Their new album ‘Something Comfortable’ is an intentional and devotional endeavour inspired by their battle with Multiple Sclerosis. The album serves as the score to ‘AfroScience’ an immersive performance and workshop series fusing live music, dance, visual art/digital media and storytelling to stimulate conversation and action around identity, addiction, healing, and expression. Tonye’s shows, workshops, and classes are connected and intimate experiences, and evoke a kind of vulnerability that we all hunger for.

SARAH HAGEN

Coming in Fall 2022.

“…the level of passion that Hagen possesses – when it comes to experiencing, interpreting and expressing art – is something quite extraordinary.”

“Hagen is one of the most expressive piano players that I have ever seen perform…”

– The Guardian

Canadian pianist Sarah Hagen has performed in concert halls and has been heard on broadcasts throughout North America and Europe. Awarded as Ontario Contact’s 2017 Artist of the Year and the British Columbia Touring Council’s 2015 Artist of the Year, and mentioned by The Guardian (Charlottetown) as the Best Classical Performance of 2014, her interpretations have been described as “outstandingly inventive” [University of Waterloo Gazette], ”played flawlessly” [ReviewVancouver] and “with great sensitivity and heart.” [Vernon Morning Star]

A visionary and an idealist, Sarah presents conceptually innovative performances, involving photography, dance and spoken word. She is Artistic Director for Pro’ject Sound, a performance project involving live piano with large-scale projected images. Her collaboration “Exultation” with Canadian Slam Poetry Champion Brendan McLeod explores Rachmaninoff’s complete Opus 32 Preludes through poetry and storytelling, and premiered to critical acclaim in February 2017.