Lance Anderson’s Gospel Tent Revival

Lance Anderson has put together Mariposa’s ‘An Evening of Blues and Gospel’ shows for 13 years in Orillia.

Lance is a Juno and Maple Blues award winning pianist, organist and composer. He is one of Canada’s top roots music producers with critically acclaimed recordings on his label Make It Real Records.

For the Mariposa Folk fest this year, Lance is going to bring an All Star cast culled from the many years of shows. We want to bring the feeling of an old time Gospel Tent revival to the festival. After a full Friday and Saturday night line-up it will be time to replenish your soul and lift your spirit.

Lance will bring back the gospel sensation Quisha Wint, and the soul queen Selena Evangeline to anchor the vocals. Also joining us will be Kitchener ON phenom Matt Weidinger (piano/organ/vocals) Thomas Nelson (bass, Niagara Falls) and groove master Gary Craig (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, drums.) with Anderson MD.

They will celebrate the inspirational spirit of the Black North American art form of Gospel music. It has been enormously influential in Folk, Pop and Rock n Roll music. We welcome all cultures and faiths to experience the power of this music.

When you hear Quisha and Selena sing you may think you have died and gone to heaven.

Quisha Wint

This phenomenal and expressive vocalist proves that you can live out your dreams through inspiring others. Quisha Wint is an accomplished songstress/performer/arranger/songwriter who was born to sing and entertain. She grew up in a Jamaican home listening to Reggae, Motown, Gospel, R&B, then expanded to jazz when she entered the well-known jazz program at Humber College in the mid ’90s. Since then, Quisha has sung in many parts of Asia, Europe, North America, and Caribbean, leaving her audiences applauding and wanting more of this dynamic performer. As one of Toronto’s sought-after session vocalists, Quisha is a rising star in the tight-knit music industry thanks to her bright personality and strong emotive vocal abilities. A career highlight was when Quisha was asked to sing with Jane Siberry on her hit song “Calling All Angels” in the 2000 film “Pay It Forward” which stared Kevin Spacey, Helen Hunt and Haley Joel Osment. In 2003, Quisha made it all the way to the Top 30 finalists of Canadian Idol’s first season and shortly after received a phone call from Jacksoul’s lead singer, the late Haydain Neale, to become his new backup vocalist. While on the road with Jacksoul, fans embraced her as her energy swept through the sold-out crowds. Quisha has also sung backgrounds for top Matt Dusk, Maestro and Snow, to just name a few. This beautiful and talented artist is a breath of fresh air in an industry over- saturated with pop culture. Quisha’s voice is mesmerizing and captures the soulful sounds of the legendary artists (Anita Baker, Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, and Aretha Franklin) who’ve paved the way before her.

Selena Evangeline

Selena Evangeline is without question a world-class singer. The sounds of Ella Fitzgerald, Chaka Khan, Prince and Stevie Wonder helped shape the multi- instrumentalist and musician she is today. By way of her travels, Selena has shared stages with Sheila E., Patrice Rushen, The Nylons, Latin Grammy winner Maia and more. Recently you may have seen her on stage backing Amanda Marshall and CMA winner Johnny Reid. Selena was a featured singer in ’60 in 60’ the Celebration concert for Mariposa’s 60th Anniversary, and is a member of the MATCHEDASH PARISH

Matt Weidinger

Matt Weidinger has a voice like no other. The 31-year-old Kitchener, ON native is a passionate young songwriter, who is well known for his mature rock/soul vocals and impressive multiinstrumental (keyboards, guitars) talents. His unmistakable earthly tones captivate the hearts of anyone who hears it. He performs like a veteran musician on the piano and organ, and is equally proficient on guitar, bass or mandolin. Although some consider him a throwback of the ’60s, he still has the capacity to grab the attention of both the old, young and everyone in between. He’s an “old soul” who easily commands the attention of any crowd. His passion for music and performing is contagious. Starting his music career at the ripe age of 15, Weidinger has had the pleasure of playing a variety of venues around Southwestern Ontario on a weekly basis. He also performs at multiple blues festivals around the province.

Thomas Nelson

Thomas Nelson is a Canadian bass player and vocalist. Born in Luverne, Alabama, at the age of two he moved with his family to Niagara Falls, New York during the Great Migration. At five years of age he began singing and was a featured soloist in school and church. Influenced by James Brown, Wilson Picket, Sam Cooke and The Beatles, at sixteen Thomas formed his first band Supreme Soul. He carved out a space in the local music scene and became a highly respected vocalist and bassist performing in events and night clubs. He is a 2020 Inductee to the Niagara Falls, NY Music Hall of Fame. In 1970, Thomas immigrated to Canada and began performing with a variety of bands in the Niagara Falls, Ontario music scene. The late Colleen Petersons’ invitation to be in her back up band led to nine performances in the Spring of 1979 at Massey Hall 1 of 9 opening for Gordon Lightfoot. Thomas moved to Toronto and the music scene was very kind. For four years he toured with Mark Haines and The Zippers, and recorded the LP Radio Jungle. Al Jarreau, Keb ‘Mo, Esperanza Spalding, James Jaimerson, Larry Graham, Marcus Miller, The Staple Singers, Stevie Wonder, and Weather Report are a few influences.

Gary Craig

Gary is one of Canada’s most respected and in-demand drummers. Gary has played and recorded with many artists including Anne Murray, Bruce Cockburn, Colin Linden, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Tom Cochrane, Jann Arden, Kathleen Edwards, Marc Jordan, The Rankin Family, Jimmy Rankin, Gregory Hoskins, Jenn Grant, Stephen Fearing, Jesse Cook, Suzie Vinnick, Jason McCoy, George Canyon, The Wilkinsons, Allanah Myles, John Bottomley, Lawrence Gowan, and the 501 Band, to just name a few.

Lance Anderson

Internationally recognized Producer, composer Lance Anderson has brought together the best in Canada’s Blues, Gospel and R&B world for the 14th time, for Mariposa. This show showcases the best artists in the genre but also emerging talent that the Mariposa audience may not be familiar with, but will not forget. Anderson has a long career recording artists like Blackburn, The Cameo Blues Band, Garth Hudson (The BAND), 2B3 The Toronto Sessions, MATCHEDASH PARISH and is about to release a N’Orleans themed CD as Lance Anderson and the NOLA Parish and a world Jazz CD called Lance Anderson and the Word Jazz Asylum. He produces The LAST WALTZ – A Musical Celebration of the BAND and tours Ontario theatres with other shows he has created. He has recorded and performed with the Maple Blues Band, Shakura S’Aida, Shawn Kellerman, Roly Platt, Al Lerman, Ken Whiteley and US artists like with Johnny Rawls, Lee Oskar, Deanna Bogart, Anne Harris, Tommy Castro, He was co-producer of the ‘Oscar with Love’ 3CD set that commemorated the 90th Anniversary of Oscar’s birth and featured Michel Legrand, Chick Corea, Oliver Jones, Ramsey Lewis and many more .