Velvety-voiced pianist Elizabeth Shepherd arrived on the international scene in 2006 when her debut album Start To Move was voted one of the top jazz albums of the year by the listeners of the influential Gilles Peterson Show on BBC Radio Worldwide. Since then, the Montreal-based soul-jazz innovator has established herself as one of the most alluring and imaginative artists on the scene today. A classical pianist who came to jazz through her love of old-school hip-hop, it's perhaps no surprise that this globetrotting talent has developed such a distinct and unique voice.
Elizabeth has been hailed as “a jazz virtuoso blessed with a pop sensibility”, praised by critics worldwide for her arrestingly original writing and soulful delivery. She is seen as part of a wave of jazz musicians bringing the art form to a new generation of music fans. The four-time JUNO nominee has released five widely acclaimed records and toured extensively in North America, Europe, Japan and Mexico. She has sold out legendary clubs from Tokyo to Detroit, played major festivals like Montreal and North Sea Jazz Festivals, and opened for Jamie Cullum at a sold out Hollywood Bowl.
Elizabeth is also the only jazz vocalist to ever have been nominated (twice) for the Polaris Prize – Canada’s most prestigious music prize. On her most recent album The Signal Shepherd teamed up with guitar genius and Herbie Hancock bandmember Lionel Loueke. The record was hailed as a "masterpiece", appeared on numerous Best-of-the-Year list across the world, and was longlisted for the 2015 Polaris Music Prize.
Shepherd’s 2015 JUNO and Polaris Prize nominated production The Signal, featuring Lionel Loueke was internationally acclaimed: "A soul-groove masterpiece" - Radio Koln (DE); "Top 10 Soul/R&B Album of 2014" - EXCLAIM; "The Best Jazz of 2014" - PopMatters (US); "5 stars" - Blues & Soul (UK); "Best of 2014" - All About Jazz (US); "The most important vocal jazz record to be released all year." - Something Else (US); "One of the best jazz albums of the year" - ICI; "Arrestingly soulful....irresistibly hip" - Montreal Gazette; "One of the most creative, inventive, and delightful albums of the year" - The Voice; "Sublime" - CBC Radio One; "Best of 2014" - All Music Guide (US).
After 3 years of interviews with strangers around Montreal, Elizabeth found herself with countless stories, making up a "people's history" of the city she loves so much - which she then wove into a series of 11 original songs to make up her first bilingual album: MONtréal. Soulful, groovy, with a touch of electronica, Elizabeth is joined on stage by 4 of Montreal's best jazz musicians. The show is accompanied by a film, a stylized journey of the places and people who inspired each song. MONtréal is Elizabeth's most ambitious project to date, reaffirming her originality as a jazz artist.
ADMISSION: By donation.
CONCESSION: Coffee, tea and treats are also available by donation.
DOORS: Open at 6:30pm.
