Jane Bunnett

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Jane Bunnett
Jane Bunnett in 2012
Background information
Birth nameMary Jane Bunnett
Born (1956-10-22) October 22, 1956 (age 67)
Toronto, Ontario
GenresAfro-Cuban jazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Soprano saxophone, flute, piano[1]

Mary Jane Bunnett, OC (born October 22, 1956) is a Canadian musician and educator. A soprano saxophonist, flautist and bandleader, she is especially known for performing Afro-Cuban jazz. She travels regularly to Cuba to perform with Cuban musicians.[2]

Early life and education[edit]

She changed her instruments, from pursuing her career "as a classical pianist...at age 20 to jazz and to flute and soprano saxophone."[3]

Career[edit]

Bunnett founded and leads an all-female Afro-Cuban/jazz group, Maqueque.[2][4] Its other members are: Dánae Olano (vocals, piano), Yissy Garcia (drums), Magdelys Savigne (vocals, batá drums, congas); Elizabeth Rodriguez (vocals, violin), and Celia Jiménez (vocals, bass).[2][4] The group has won one Juno Award (Best Group Jazz Album of the Year in 2014 for its debut CD) and garnered two Grammy nominations, while Bunnett herself has won four additional Juno Awards.[4]

Honors and awards[edit]

In 2004, Bunnett was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour given in this country, granted to Canadian citizens 'for outstanding achievement and service to the country or to humanity at large.'[1]

Personal life[edit]

Bunnett is married to another musician, trumpeter Larry Cramer.[2] They reside in Toronto but have traveled to Cuba for musical collaborations for more than 30 years.[2]

Bunnett is also a social activist.[1]

Discography[edit]

Artist Title Year Notes
Jane Bunnett In Dew Time 1988 with Don Pullen and Dewey Redman; Dark Light LP DL-9001
Jane Bunnett/Don Pullen New York Duets 1989
Jane Bunnett Quintet Live at Sweet Basil 1990
Jane Bunnett Spirits of Havana 1991
Jane Bunnett The Water is Wide 1993 with Don Pullen, Jeanne Lee, and Sheila Jordan
Paul Bley/Jane Bunnett Double Time 1994
Jane Bunnett Rendez-Vous Brazil Cuba 1995
Jane Bunnett Jane Bunnett and the Cuban Piano Masters 1996
Various Artists Havana Flute Summit 1997
Jane Bunnett & The Spirits of Havana Chamalongo 1997
Jane Bunnett & The Spirits of Havana Ritmo + Soul 2000
Jane Bunnett Alma de Santiago 2001 Juno Award nomination for Best Global recording and Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Jazz recording
Stanley Cowell and Jane Bunnett Spirituals and Dedications 2002
Jane Bunnett Cuban Odyssey 2002 Juno Award nomination for Best Global recording and Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Jazz recording
Jane Bunnett Red Dragonfly (Aka Tombo) 2004 Juno Award nomination for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year
Jane Bunnett Radio Guantanamo (Guantanamo Blues Project Vol. 1) 2006 Juno Award winner for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year
Jane Bunnett Embracing Voices 2008
Jane Bunnett & Maqueque Jane Bunnett & Maqueque 2014
Jane Bunnett & Maqueque Oddara 2016
Jane Bunnett & Maqueque On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme 2019

List of awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Title
2009 Juno Award Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year Embracing Voices
2006 Juno Award Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year Radio Guantanamo Blues Project - Vol. I
2005 Urban Music Award (nomination) Best Jazz Recording of the Year Radio Guantanamo Blues Project - Vol. I
2004 Grammy Award (nomination) Best Latin Jazz Album Cuban Odyssey
2004 Down Beat Award USA — Critic's Poll for Rising Star, Flute
2003 Urban Music Award Best Global Recording[5] Cuban Odyssey
2003 American Jazz Writers’ Association Award Best Latin Jazz Album Cuban Odyssey
2003 Juno Award (nomination) Best Global Recording Cuban Odyssey
2003 Grammy Award (nomination) Best Latin Jazz Recording Cuban Odyssey
2003 Jazz Journalists Award Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year Cuban Odyssey
2003 Juno Award (nomination) Best Contemporary Jazz Album Spirituals & Dedications
2003 Grammy Award (nomination) Best Latin Jazz Album Alma De Santiago
2003 Down Beat Award Staff/Readers Poll for Rising Star, Flute/Saxophone
2002 Juno Award (nomination) Best Global Recording Alma De Santiago
2002 Smithsonian Institution Award "for contributions and dedication to the development of Latin Jazz"
2002 Grammy Award (nomination) Best Latin Jazz Recording Alma De Santiago
2002 Canadian National Jazz Award Saxophonist of the Year
2002 Down Beat Award Critics’ Poll for Deserving of Wider Recognition, Flute
2002 Jazz Journalists Award Best Latin Jazz Record Alma De Santiago
2001 Jazz Journalists Award (nomination) Best Soprano Saxophonist
2001 Down Beat Award Critics’ Poll for Deserving of Wider Recognition, Flute
1994 Village Voice Award Best Record of the Year The Water is Wide
1992 Juno Award Best Jazz Album Spirits of Havana
1991 All-Music Guide Award One of the Top 300 Jazz Discs of All Time Spirits of Havana
1988 Juno Award (nomination) In Dew Time

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Order of Canada citation
  2. ^ a b c d e Contreras, Felix (July 12, 2016). "Jane Bunnett". NPR.org. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  3. ^ "Jane Bunnett". TheCanadianEncyclopedia.ca. Historica Canada.
  4. ^ a b c "Jane Bunnett's Maqueque". ArtsGarage.org. Delray Beach, Florida, US. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2017.
  5. ^ "Jane Bunnett (2011)". musagetes.ca. 2011. Retrieved February 24, 2017.

External links[edit]