Hailing from Côte d’Ivoire, Dobet Gnahoré is a virtuosic singer, dancer, percussionist, and songwriter who has taken the modern Afro-pop sounds of her country in exciting new directions. A 2010 Grammy Award winner, Gnahoré is well-known for her jaw-dropping dance moves, powerful stage presence and richly emotional vocal style.

Gnahoré was born into one of Côte d’Ivoire’s most prestigious musical families. Her father, the renowned master percussionist Boni Gnahoré, rigorously trained her in the music, dance, theatre, fashion and poetry that serve as her foundation to this day.

The Atlantic Jazz Collective is a group of three Juno Award-winning artists from Canada’s Atlantic region: Pianist Florian Hoefner, saxophonist Mike Murley and bassist Jim Vivian – the latter two both former long-time Torontonians who’ve recently returned home. The Collective’s mission is to develop and promote jazz in Atlantic Canada and beyond through exciting international collaborations.

As a three-time Downbeat Critic’s Poll winner for Rising Star Big Band, Arranger, and Soprano Saxophonist, Christine Jensen is constantly in motion leading her own jazz orchestra and small ensemble.

Her jazz orchestra recordings have won two Juno Awards, for Treelines (2011) and Habitat (2014), the latter receiving a coveted 5 stars in Downbeat.

Indigenous composer Andrew Balfour and Vancouver-based chamber choir musica intima will present their fascinating collaboration called Nagamo (which means ‘Sings’ in Ojibway). A concert of early Baroque composers, William Byrd, Henry Purcell and Thomas Tallis, reimagined into Cree and Ojibway by Balfour, Nagamo will also feature original works by the composer.

Some of the Pacific Northwest’s premiere African drummers and dancers are set to electrify the BlueShore at CapU stage.

Leading the musical brigade is the revered performer and expert in West African traditional music and dance CapU’s own esteemed faculty member Kofi Gbolonyo.

An expert on the talking drum, Gbolonyo is a founding member, along with multi-instrumentalist Curtis Andrews, of Vancouver’s top drum and dance large ensemble Adanu Habobo, which also takes the stage.

Explore a world of enchanting folk tunes, mystical Sufi rhythms, lively fast-paced melodies, and innovative modern fusion compositions with Mohamed Assani, sitar, and Gurdit Singh, tabla.

Ukrainian siSinger-songwriter Maryna Krut, formerly known as KRUTЬ, is a virtuoso of the 64-stringed bandura, an instrument unique to her homeland Ukraine. Taking two hands to play, the bandura offers a sound similar to a harpsichord. Krut is a master of the instrument, simultaneously playing bass notes, accompanying chords and melody lines.

Get ready for a Halloween Spooktacular! Brought to you by the Sea to Sky Wind Ensemble and Jazz Connexion, this enchanting afternoon of eerie melodies and spine-chilling performances is sure to leave you spellbound.

Sunday, October 27, 2024 | 3:00 – 4:45 pm
Blueshore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts, Capilano University

Tickets available at the door or online, https://halloweenconcert.bpt.me

Acclaimed California-based violinist and composer Jenny Scheinman’s playing is radiant, soulful, stamped with jazz vernacular and old-time fiddling tradition and buoyed by her superb lyrical poise and technique. In addition to her playing on nine Bill Frisell albums, Scheinman has toured and recorded with Lucinda Williams, Bruce Cockburn, Robbie Fulks, Lou Reed, Ani DiFranco and Joni Mitchell.

Multi award-winning vocalist, pianist and songwriter Laila Biali is touring Canada with her most ambitious show ever, Wintersongs & Holiday Classics.

Audiences can revel in winter-inspired original music alongside thrilling arrangements of secular and sacred classics featuring fellow Juno-winning saxophonist and flautist Jane Bunnett, bassist Dan Fortin (Myriad3), violinist Rebekah Wolkstein (Payadora), Eskasoni Mi’kmaq First Nations dancer Sarah Prosper, and for this show only, CapU’s acclaimed choir NiteCap.