As much as most everyone loves the Christmas season, the truth is that, on occasion, it’s possible to get a little weary of the standard Christmas music playlist.
Let’s face it, as much as Mariah Carey and Taylor Swift have produced some great Christmas songs, there comes a time when All I Want for Christmas is You gets to be a little much.
That’s one of the reasons that the Mary Winspear presentation of O Come All Ye Soulful at the Charlie White Theatre is such a treat.
This is a celebration of Christmas in jazz and soul, featuring two award-winning talents who will join forces to bring a renewed, joyful Christmas smile to your face.
There’s no question that you couldn’t ask for more accomplished musicians to bring out that Christmas cheer with a soulful twist.
Dawn Pemberton, a phenomenal talent out of Vancouver, grew up surrounded by a family of multi-instrumentalists and came by her love of jazz voice and piano early in her career as she collaborated with other talented performers.
She’s also a passionate songwriter in her own right and can be found tearing up the West Coast music scene. She’s shared the stage with the likes of Maceo Parker, Linda Tillery, John Lee Sanders, The Sojourners, John Boutt and Dutch Robinson.
Her voice is a dynamic force that spans gospel, soul, jazz, funk, and world music. A recipient of the 2024 Canada Council for the Arts and Creative BC grants and a multiple Juno nominee, Pemberton consistently provides performances that leave the audience amazed.
Her debut album, Say Somethin’, won Best Urban Recording at the Western Canadian Music Awards, solidifying her as Canada’s “queen of soul.”
Pemberton will be joined on stage by three-time Juno-nominated bassist, composer, producer and educator Jodi Proznick.
Proznick has quite rightly earned a reputation as one of Canada’s finest jazz artists. Her awards are almost too many to count but include Jazz Artist of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards and the Platinum Jubilee Art and Music Award from the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.
She began playing bass when she was 13 and has never looked back, alternately described as “a great player, who plays with intoxicating passion” and “one of the finest bassists in the jazz world today.”
Together, these soul juggernauts will take the stage at the Mary Winspear in Sidney on Monday, December 16. It’s sure to be a concert that puts them both on Santa’s nice list.
Tickets for the show are available by calling 250 656 0275 or by visiting marywinspear.ca.
