Mariposa’s Evening of Blues & Gospel X on April 9
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Orillia, Ontario, March 3, 2022
Mariposa in Concert’s (MIC) wildly popular ‘An Evening of Blues & Gospel’ is back April 9 with another impressive lineup of all-star vocalists and musicians assembled, arranged and directed by Orillia’s own JUNO award winning producer, Lance Anderson.
“This is our 10th Blues & Gospel Show and it’s a sell-out every year,” said Pam Carter, Mariposa in Concert Chair. “Everyone is well-advised to pick up their tickets early.”
Tickets are $30 (all fees and taxes included) and are available at the Orillia Opera House – online (www.orilliaoperahouse.ca) or at the box office. The show is on Saturday, April 9 at the Orillia Opera House, 1 West Street North in downtown Orillia. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m.
Effective March 1st, the province has lifted its vaccine mandate requirement. Orillia Opera House, under the direction of the City of Orillia is following the province’s directive so as a result proof of vaccination will not be required. A mask mandate is currently in effect but is subject to change between now and April 9th depending on the province and the City of Orillia.
Winner and this year’s nominee for the Maple Blues Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year, Lance Anderson, is musical arranger and director of the show. This year a young phenom will headline the show – Quincy Bullen. Sam and Ryan Weber from The Weber Brothers band will be joined by Selena Evangeline, one of the best vocalists in Canada today.
Quincy Bullen
Quincy Bullen is an extraordinarily talented multi-instrumentalist. With a jazz, funky style, Quincy’s repertoire includes his own versions of popular standards from jazz, R&B, Pop, and soul as well as original compositions. He has been a featured performer at many large music festivals and venues in Canada and the Caribbean. Quincy has been splitting his time between Toronto and Los Angeles. He also works as a producer and DJ.
Working with his father, Juno award winning Eddie Bullen, Quincy has released three solo albums, On Q, Quantumplations and Poise Debris. “On Q” is mostly original material featuring Larnell Lewis on drums, Alex Toth on bass and Rob Christian on sax. The father-son duo is continually refining their two-man show, ‘Dueling Pianos – Father and Son’ for the stage.
Sam and Ryan Weber
Ryan Weber (upright and electric bass, piano, guitar, vocal) and brother Sam (guitar, vocals) are alumni of Ronnie Hawks’ backing band, The Hawks. The brothers have
toured extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe and recorded 12 independent albums.
They have shared stages and recording studios with a who’s who of music pioneers, from Gordon Lightfoot, Kris Kristofferson and The Band to Chuck Berry, Willie Nelson and The Tragically Hip. Their high-energy, awe-inspiring performances make them the ultimate roots band.
Selena Evangeline
Selena Evangeline is, without question, a world-class singer. A multi-instrumentalist and songwriter, her songs are musical snapshots of real life and emotions. Those “snapshots” helped to win her an Ontario Independent Music Award for Best Urban, Barrie New Music Award as well as honourable mention in the John Lennon Song Writing Competition.
By way of her travels through various countries Selena has shared stages with Sheila E., Patrice Rushen, Jocelyn Brown, The Nylons, Delta Goodrem, Ivete Sangalo, Latin Grammy winner Maia, and the list goes on. Recently, you may have seen Selena on stage backing Canadian icon Amanda Marshall as well as CMA winner Johnny Reid.
Selena’s newest release “Left Alone” is the third in the Slaight Music/7 Arts Entertainment signature series of duets with pianist Bill King and Canada’s top vocalists. Evangeline charts her own direction focusing on songs remembered through women who made them classics – Gladys Knight, Dinah Washington, Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughan, Patti Labelle, Diana Ross, Billie Holiday, and others. It’s her musical letter of thanks; paying homage to the great singers and songwriters who have come before us.
Lance Anderson
JUNO award winning producer Lance Anderson returns once again to reprise his role as musical arranger/director behind Mariposa in Concert’s ‘An Evening of Blues and Gospel’ Show.
Anderson, who has been performing for 49 years, has once again been nominated for the Maple Blues Award for Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year, and his new band, Matchedash Parish, was nominated for two Maple Blues Awards in 2020 — New Artist/Group of the Year and Record of the Year (Saturday Night).
The Orillia resident has maintained a busy season during the pandemic lockdown. He recorded a virtual concert with the Mariposa Folk Festival and Kinaxis in concert featuring the Matchedash Parish in August 2021 and with Hugh’s Room Live – The Last Waltz – A Musical Celebration of The Band; and Everyday People – The Music of Sly and the Family Stone. He recorded Lance Anderson and NOLA Parish with the Niagara Jazz and Blues Fest and Calgary Blues Festivals.
His theatrical presentation, Oscar Peterson – The Jazz Legend and the Man I Knew was a hit at the Orillia Jazz Festival this fall. Add to that an orchestral work that Lance scored called Queens of Soul that was performed by the Windsor Symphony, featuring Shakura S’Aida in October 2021, and you have a full calendar.
Still one of the busiest producers and arrangers in Canada, Anderson looks forward to another year of projects, including a new CD by The Matchedash Parish, his new, large ensemble featuring Matt Weidinger. Anderson is currently co-executive producer of the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival and the Beaches Jazz and Blues Festival both in Panama.
Kevan McKenzie
Kevan has played drums on hundreds of recordings, TV shows, films, thousands of jingles and many tours all over the world as a first-call studio musician in Toronto since 1979. Some of his credits include Anne Murray, David Foster, James Taylor, Buffy Sainte- Marie, Ray Charles, Marc Jordan, Gene Simmons, Rob McConnell, Lisa Minnelli and the TSO.
He has produced, written, and recorded three international albums for the Somerset label (including a certified gold) and a CD with renowned Canadian pianist/composer Jack Lenz as well as music for commercials and film at his home studio.
Andrew Stewart
At 6 years old, with the guidance of his father, Andrew learned to play guitar and bass. By the time he was 8 he was copying bass lines and guitar licks he heard in church, on television, radio and from records.
Influenced by great bass players such as Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clarke, and Victor Wooten, Andrew decided to attend the internationally acclaimed jazz program at Humber College in 2000. There he studied with bassist Lenny Boyd and Even Tarleton.
Since then, Andrew has played in the studio and on stage with Blackburn, Larnell Lewis, Salome Bey, Liberty Silver, Eddie Bullen, Michael Stuart, Robert Botos, Kalabash, Pieces of a Dream, The Liamuiga Project and many others. He has also appeared on the television series “Soulfood” with Musiq Soulchild.
The Mariposa Folk Foundation’s 2021-22 Concert Series is sponsored by Alleycats Music & Art, Apple Annie’s Café, Bell Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Centre, Cathy Cleary Design, Dapper Depot, Dentistry on West, Downtown Computers, Hog ‘n Penny Pub, IG Wealth Management, Lavender Hills Farm, Tim Lauer, Sales Representative, Royal LePage Real Quest Realty; Wes Trinier and Wildflower Farm.