Soprano saxophonist & flautist Jane Bunnett & Maqueque

Five-time Juno Award winner, JANE BUNNETT has turned her bands and recordings into showcases for the finest musical talent from Canada, the US, and Cuba. She has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, received The Order of Canada, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, and, most recently, The Premier’s Award for Excellence.

With Maqueque, Bunnett has created something new and phenomenal in the world of jazz. 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. Since 2015, they have played in major jazz festivals like Newport and Monterey, been featured on NPR’s program Jazz Night in America, won a Juno Award for their first album (Jane Bunnett and Maqueque), were nominated for a Grammy Award for their second release, Oddara and were nominated for a Juno Award for their latest release, On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme. Most recently, they were voted as one the top ten jazz groups by the prestigious DownBeat magazine’s critics poll.

An internationally acclaimed musician, Bunnett is known for her creative integrity, improvisational daring, and courageous artistry. Her exploration of Afro-Cuban melodies expresses the universality of music, and her ability to embrace and showcase the rhythms and culture of Cuba has been ground-breaking. She has toured the world bringing her own special sound to numerous jazz festivals, displaying her versatility as a flutist, saxophone player, and pianist.

Two documentaries have been made about Bunnett’s work: Spirits of Havana by the National Film Board was presented at numerous film festivals internationally, on television (CBC, PBS), and in Europe. A more recent film, Embracing Voices, has been shown at film festivals and is awaiting commercial release.

As an educator, spokesperson, and social activist, Jane remains unafraid to explore uncharted territory in her quest for excellence.

“Young pianist DÁNAE OLANO composed three of the numbers and collaborates closely with Bunnett in the composing and arranging. She is a Havana Conservatory graduate, equally as comfortable with Chopin as with Chucho Valdes. Her bewitching playing permeates the whole album, with the aid of a wonderful polyrhythm section…” ~ London Jazz News

Dánae Olano was born and raised in the musical melting pot of Havana, Cuba. She began classical musical studies at age 7 at the Alejandro García Caturla Music School, continuing at the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory of Music. She graduated from the University of Arts (ISA) in Havana as an accompanying and solo pianist, obtaining the Piano Cum Laude distinction.

Her professional career began to blossom while studying in university. There, she made incursions into theatre music, being part of recognized companies like El Ingenio and Teatro de la Luna. During that time, she was also a co-founder of the band Alami, immersing herself and fellow Cuban-Canadian singer Dayme Arocena into jazz music. She was also a founding member of Banda XX, conducted by drummer Yissy García.
Currently, Dánae is best known in North America as a founding member of the all-female band Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, which since its formation in 2013 has earned a Juno Award and been nominated on one other occasion, as well as earning a Grammy nomination. She is the band’s pianist and also sings, composes, and arranges for this renowned ensemble. She has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious jazz clubs, including Birdland, The Blue Note and Bimhuis as well as at top festivals such as the Monterrey, Newport and Saratoga Jazz Festivals in addition to Jazz al Parque in Bogota, Colombia. In 2018 she shared stage with pianists Jason Moran, James Francis, Booker T. Jones and Jane Bunnett as part of NPR’s “A Jazz Piano Christmas”, which was hosted by Felix Contreras at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.

In March 2024, Olano released her debut album, Children’s Corner, which is a scintillating combination of original music, along with a powerful version of “Un Poco Loco” by Bud Powell.

TAILIN MARRERO is a young Cuban bass player and composer, one of the most virtuous musicians of her generation in Cuba. She graduated from The National School of Art in Habana, Cuba and specializes in classical guitar, electric bass, and acoustic bass. She has been in various groups and album recordings by prestigious artists from Cuba and the world. Tailin has performed in some of the worlds best known Jazz clubs, including Birdland, The Blue Note Tokyo and Bimhuis as well as at top Festivals such as the Monterrey, Newport and Saratoga Jazz festival, Fuji Rock Festival (Japan) , Jazz Plaza (Cuba), Jazz al parque in Bogota Colombia, JazzAhead (Bremen Germany).

Her most recent production, Music in the Soul, is a CD where you can enjoy the roots of Cuban music intertwined with jazz and a diversity of colors between her voice and the bass. All are original compositions and arrangements, in addition to being accompanied by great renowned musicians.

Tailin has collaborated with various national and international artists of great prestige: Roberto Carcasses and Interactive, Descemer Bueno, Luis Barberia Ft Sexto sentido, Liuba Mara Hevia, Telmary Diaz and Habana Sana, Carlos Miyares (Saxophone ),Oliver Valdes Rey, the newly nominated project for the Grammys, Jane Bunnet and Maqueque, David Alvares, Rolando Luna, Raul Paz, Bobby Carcasses, Gema Corredera, Brenda Navarrete, Concha Buika, among others. Currently a member of the all-female Afro Cuban band Juno-winning band, 2 times Juno nominated and once nominated for Grammy Jane Bunnett and Maqueque Bassist-vocalist-composer.

YISSY GARCÍA drummer and composer, belongs to the forefront of the new generation of Cuban jazz musicians. Her music shows a mixture of modernism and tradition, captivating both her audience and the critics, who can’t resist the groove of her drum playing.

Considered one of Cuba’s most dynamic and innovative musicians who defies genre and tradition with every funky groove, she demonstrates the art of combining traps and percussion, drawing from the wealth of Cuban folkloric and popular styles alongside serious jazz and funk. Yissy has quickly become an iconic figure of female percussion in Cuba and beyond, having performed with the likes of Dave Matthews and Esperanza Spalding, and been likened to “the Cuban version of Terri Lyne Carrington” by Tom Tom Magazine. She has shared the stage with some of the greatest of all times, such as Omara Portuondo, Dave Matthews, Roy Hargrove, Horacio “El Negro” Hernández, Jane Bunnett and Joshua Bell.

Yissy is a female drummer born on May 29th, 1987 in Havana, bearing great musical heritage from her father and main inspiration, drummer Bernardo Garcia, who was one of the founders of legendary Irakere band. At nine years old she started studying percussion at the music school and for more than a decade she developed her skills during the academic training receiving several awards as percussionist. On this period she had the chance to play with internationally prestigious musicians like Horacio Hernández (El Negro), Giovanny Hidalgo, Arturo Tappin and Roy Hargrove. From 2006 to 2011 she was a member of the all-female Salsa band Anacaona, performing all through Cuba and on international festivals.

Young gifted Yissy has a growing interest on jazz and begins to stand out as one of the new talents of the country. Working close together with jazz players like Alexis Bosch, Bobby Carcasés and Yasek Manzano was instrumental on this part of her development as a performer. In 2012, she decided to launch her solo career taking her first steps as composer and bandleader with the project YISSY & BANDANCHA, a quintent whose core is to do fusion with jazz and various genres. She is now a regular guest on the most renowned festivals of Cuban music, Jazz Plaza, JoJazz, Ellas Crean, Havana World Music, etc. A side from the work with her project, she works extensively on new releases by renowned Cuban artists and bands like Interactivo, Alexis Bosch and Telmary. On 2014 she joined Kelvis Ochoa, William Vivanco and Yusa to take part on the Festival El sur suena a cubano, held in Argentina. She toured Japan with Yusa; was one of the musicians that played on Gema Correderas’ record Felling Marta and toured Mexico with Omara Portuondo, the Buena Vista Social Club diva. Since 2014 Yissy is on the line up of Maqueque, a band led by Jane Bunnett, the well-known Canadian sax player. With this band she has played on the most important festivals of Canada and the USA and recorded the album Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, awarded with a Juno on 2015 for Best Jazz Album. In 2015 Yissy recorded Última Noticia her first album, and toured various US cities with her band YISSY & BANDANCHA. Was one of the artists included on a documentary that shows the most outstanding talents of Cuban Jazz vanguard now a days, a film for Brazilian TV directed by Max Alvin.

MARTA ELENA, Juno winner and Excellence Award winner (Celebration of Latin Culture and Community,) was born into a musical family in Havana, Cuba.

She belongs to a younger generation of Cuban musicians who are happy to honour the island nation’s Afro-Latin musical roots while looking for new ways to express the music that courses through the country’s veins.

She started to sing at 10, performing in all school events and amateur presentations. At 18, her professional performance was singing as part of the chorus of the Company of Zarzuelas and Operettas of the Teatro Lirico Nacional, one of the most famous theatres in Havana. After many years of performing with different bands in Cuba and worldwide, Marta Elena immigrated to Canada to pursue her musical career.

Moving to Toronto in 2011 puts her in demand, performing with the who-is-who in the Canadian scene at various local venues and festivals. She is a Cuban singer, composer and bandleader representing the Cuban beauty “mulata,” performing music influenced by musical genres such as Danzon, Rumba, ChaChaCha, Cuban Salsa, Danzonete and more.

Marta Elena’s highlight performances include her Koerner Hall appearance as Guest of Latin Grammy Award-winning Hilario Duran and his Latin Jazz Big Band, as well as the lead vocalist of the Jane Bunnett’s female band Maqueque at the same venue, Koerner Hall. As a member of the Maqueque’s band, Marta Elena has been touring with notable performances in Canada, USA, and Europe.

GINA D’SOTO is a rising star redefining Cuban music on the global stage. Based in New York, she captivates audiences with her authentic blend of R&B, pop, and Cuban traditions, offering a fresh perspective as part of the new wave of Cuban artists. Her music celebrates cultural diversity, merging her roots modern influences to create a sound that feels both timeless and groundbreaking.

Career highlights include being featured on NPR Live Sessions, earning a spot on the Grammy ballot, and collaborating with renowned artists like Yendry, Ana Tijoux, and Danay Suarez. Additionally, Gina has performed with notable musicians such as Arturo O’Farrill, Antonio Sanchez, and has participated in prestigious events like the Havana Jazz Festival, Winter Jazz Festival, and Fillmore Jazz Fest.

Her work has also been recognized in platforms like Remezcla and Buzz Music. Through her digital releases and performances, Gina has solidified herself as one of the most compelling voices of her generation, connecting deeply with listeners through vulnerability, charm, and empowering stage presence.