Review : Jane Bunnett and Maqueque @Foundry616

By Thibault Le Viavant

Last Friday 6 November, the Foundry616 hosted the Canadian/Cuban group “Jane Bunnett and Maqueque” as part of the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival. We had each letter of the SIWJF with Maqueque : incredible women, international band, amazing cuban jazz…

Jane Bunnett and Maqueque

Indeed, the band is composed of Jane Bunnett, four-time JUNO Award winner, two-time Grammy nominee, soprano saxophonist/flautist, Melvis Santa (vocals) recently filling in for Daymé Arocena, Dánae Olano (piano) Magdelys Savigne (percussion) Célia Jiménez (bass) Yissy García (drums).

I have been impressed by Melvis Santa’s beautiful voice that brings the particular soulful blended sound and even seems to harmonize this band. A pleasure to hear!

Melvis Santa

Translated Maqueque means the energy of a young girl’s spirit : these girls proved their name’s acuteness, playing their instrument and transmitting a great energy, especially through the percussion rhythms with such instruments as güiro, shekere and congas of course. So that a few people were even dancing among the crowd at the Foundry616, on Cha-cha rhythms!

It was such a great start for this first week of the SIWJF, and I can only recommend to see and listen to this awesome Cuban Jazz Blend from Jane Bunnett and Maqueque but also to go to the other gigs and see the incredible artists of the Sydney International Women’s Jazz Festival this week!