Jane Bunnett & Maqueque: 21st Century Women – By Christopher Loudon – Jazz Times
A conversation at the outset of a new era for female jazz musicians and Cuban culture’s global impact.
“Whalum, Bunnett & Greene Steal the show at Litchfield Jazz Fest” … “But there were 2 absolute show-stealers at Litchfield”
“A major surprise was Jane Bunnett’s new sextet, Maqueque. In only its second performance in the United States, Maqueque entranced listeners with a clave-induced set of Afro-Cuban, booty-shaking world jazz that would have made Dizzy smile. Here’s the hook: Bunnett, who has long been inspired by the music of Cuba, traveled to the island nation and recruited this band of young, killer female musicians. Three are still in school, but all play and sing like seasoned veterans. The music is a real treat and so is their new recording, Maqueque (Justin Time), coming out on Sept. 9.”
—Frank Alkyer (Down Beat Magazine Editor)
Jon Garelick’s Giant Steps: Jane Bunnett and Maqueque – Concert Review
Jane Bunnett and Maqueque are in the final lap of an August–September tour. If they’re coming anywhere near your town, go see them. Their show at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston last night was explosive.
Jane Bunnett and Maqueque – CD Review by Raul da Gama for latinjazznet.com
The celebrated Canadian soprano saxophonist is embracing voices again. But these voices are of a slightly different sort. The Creole Choir of Cuba is long gone to other things but Ms. Bunnett is back with an exquisite new ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists named “Maqueque”, which means, as Ms. Bunnett’s short note on the CD sleeve points out, “the spirit of a young girl, in the ancient Afro-Cuban dialect.”
Jane Bunnett and Maqueque – CD Review by Kerry Doole for exclaim.ca
Much of the stellar reputation of Canadian jazz and world music heroine Jane Bunnett has been based on her passionate and adventurous explorations of the treasure trove that is Cuban music. She returns to the island with well-received new project Maqueque. This pairs the veteran composer/bandleader/multi-instrumentalist with six talented young female Cuban musicians and singers.
Bunnett and Maqueque share joy of music making – Concert Review by Adrian Chamberlain for timescolonist.com
Loosely translated, Manqueque means the energy of a young girl’s spirit. And this is what we experienced Thursday night, when Jane Bunnett and Maqueque played TD Victoria International JazzFest. For her latest project, Bunnett has formed a fine band with five young Cuban women. The sextet served up a rich Afro-Cuban gumbo notable on many fronts.
Jane Bunnett and Maqueque – CD Review by Kerry Doole for newcanadianmusic.ca
Four-time JUNO winner (and double Grammy nominee) Jane Bunnett has long been-established as one of our most important jazz and world music artists. The multi-instrumentalist/composer/bandleader has dug deep into the treasure trove of Cuban music, and does so again on brilliant new project Maqueque. It teams Jane with a group of young female musicians and singers from Cuba, and the result is a self-titled Afro-Cuban jazz album with rich rhythms and spirited playing and singing. Bunnett splits the compositions with Maqueque’s Daymé Arocena, while the cover of Bill Wither’s “Ain’t No Sunshine” is a sweet treat. Notable guests include Hilario Durán, Eliana Cuevas, Telmary Díaz and Heavyweights Brass Band, and long-time collaborator Larry Cramer produces with clarity. A gem.