Playing With Fire may refer to the energy oozing from any member of the all-women band ‘Maqueque’, founded by Toronto jazz musician Jane Bunnett, and supported by young female graduates of the Cuban conservatory.
Around ten years ago, Bunnett acquainted members of the band at a jam session at the Cohiba Hotel Havana. A decade later, Maqueque has created opportunities for composing and performing extraordinary jazz that has taken the innovative ensemble around the world. It has grown to include female artists beyond Cuba, such as musicians from the Dominican Republic, Latin America, Spain, Lebanon, and Zimbabwean vocalist Joanna Majoko, who took the music to new heights, improvising with creative power in the studio that inspired everyone.
The album features guitarist Donna Grantis who also hails from Bunnett’s home of Toronto. She performed for many years with Prince as a member of 3RDEYEGIRL in the 2010s. Three pieces in particular feature Donna’s contribution to the recording process: “A God Unknown,” “A Human Race” and “Sierra.”
Maqueque has won a Juno Award, was nominated for a Grammy, and annually tours Europe, Latin America, the U.S., and Canada. Downbeat magazine picked them as one of the Top Ten Touring Groups of 2019. NPR has featured the band on Tiny Desk Concert. The band has been successful in its mission to elevate the profile of women musicians in Cuba. “There was so much creative energy there,” says Bunnett, “but not many outlets. We also realized that many of the girls at the conservatories were not really encouraged to ‘take the stage’ in a male-dominated scene. We witnessed this first-hand while taking technicians, jazz materials, and instruments to Cuban conservatories — that the best way to solve this issue was to create a performance opportunity, which became an all-female ensemble.”
Maqueque continues to evolve and welcome new generations. Playing With Fire marks the debut of 19-year-old violinist Daniela Olano, sister of the band’s co-founder and pianist, Danae Olano. Her composition “Daniela’s Theme” is a highlight on the new recording. In addition to new compositions, the collective also reimagines two jazz classics: “Tempus Fugit” by pianist Bud Powell and “Jump Monk” by Charles Mingus. The electrifying rhythm section, including the two founding members, pianist Danae Olano and drummer Yissy Garcia, along with bassist Tailin Marrero (who wrote the track “Bolero”) and percussionist Mary Paz, is the foundation that the music is built on. The album gets its official release on March 10th, 2022. For more information visit www.janebunnett.com and www.linusentertainment.com
Maqueque Photo © Lauren Deutsch
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