Kelly Bado
Kelly Bado is a bilingual singer-songwriter who takes you on a journey through her music.
With lyrics inspired by love, hope and social equality, and a sound that marries pop with R&B/Soul and her African background, one cannot help but get swept away into Kelly's magical voice. She received the honor to perform in Ottawa, on Parliament Hill, as part of Canada's 150th Celebrations along with well known artists like Alessia Cara, Serena Ryder, Walk Off the Earth and others. Although she finished The Voice Quebec in the quarter finals she won the public's vote!
Burnstick
It’s folk music that’s brimming with the kind of chemistry that could only come from a husband and wife. Plains-Cree guitarist, Jason Burnstick, and Francophone-Métis singersongwriter, Nadia Burnstick are award-winning duo: Burnstick. Two performers whose voices and languages blend together with ease, Burnstick pushes the boundaries of contemporary folk music, weaving together the unique sounds of vintage Weissenborns with intriguing vocal harmonies, while allowing the beauty of simple melodies to shine through. It's hard to deny the magic they create as they command the stage with their palpable performances.
Ego Spank
Ego Spank is comprised of three hugely talented musicians who mix up diverse musical influences to deliver their own complex funk rhythms, strong bass lines and infectious grooves. This trio of Gilles Fournier, bass and vocals, Murray Pulver, guitar and vocals, and Daniel Roy, drums and vocals, are creating Apples to Oranges - Hits from the 60s to the 80s Reimagined for the Music ‘N’ Mavens stage. They take famous hits and make them sound even better than the originals!
George Foreman and the Grills
AKA George Semchuk (and company) as Artists at Large, performing tweener sets and campfire entertainment.
Manitoba Independant Songwriters Circle
Stay tuned for returning artists.
Mitchell James Acoustic Trio
Hailing from the outskirts of Winnipeg, Canada, Mitchell James is a roots/pop artist with a bright future ahead. He began his career writing songs in his bedroom at the age of 18 and never looked back. Throughout high school and his early twenties, Mitchell honed his understanding of song and structure by working in the studio alongside JP Laurendeau, and has been featured on recordings by Del Barber, Cassidy Mann, and more. His latest EP, The Spark, produced by Winnipeg’s own Ariel Posen and backed by the members of Juno winning The Bros. Landreth, showcases a more aggressive side of Mitchell’s writing. This collection of pop, soul and rock songs are sure to warm the heart and inspire the soul.
Ridley Bent
Ridley Bent is a Western Canadian, Country and Western, singer songwriter. A veteran of the Canadian highways, Ridley has six studio albums of material to draw from and another on the horizon. His unique delivery and storytelling has kept him busy playing folk festivals everywhere this side of the St Laurence. One of his most requested songs ‘Nine Inch Nails’ was judged by a panel that included George Jones as Country song of the year in 2008. Whether performing with his mind blowing sidekick guitar slinger Chris Dunn, or performing solo, Ridley Bent’s smooth charm and extremely well penned songs will captivate you.
The Duhks
The Duhks are a Canadian folk fusion band, formed in 2002 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Featuring banjo, fiddle, guitar, percussion, and vocals, The Duhks blend folk music together with various Canadian and American traditional styles, including soul, gospel, old-time country string, and zydeco. The band also commonly plays traditional Irish dance music, integrating Latin-influenced percussion as well as often Celtic- and Cajun-influenced fiddle-playing.
The Duhks defy easy categorization. Fans and acquaintances have used phrases like "Blue Rodeo meets Celtic rock," "progressive soulgrass" and "Destiny's Child meets the Chieftains" to describe the Canadian band.
The Duhks haven’t played together for many years but are getting back together for a short 20 year anniversary tour!
Woody Holler and his Orchestra
Woody Holler and his Orchestra formed in 2009 around Holler’s lyric tenor voice. Based out of Winnipeg, the quartet includes Daniel Koulack on upright bass, Larry Roy on guitar, Jeremy Penner on violin and Woody Holler on Rhythm guitar and vocals.
Woody Holler purveys his own unique brand which can be described as “jazz from the saddle”. He grew up hearing western music, but loved jazz. He knew how to yodel but studied opera. The resulting mix is a show not to be missed! The performance is reminiscent of a 1940s radio show, with a sound that is nostalgic yet thrilling. Featuring a dramatic range from the operatic to show-stopping extreme yodelling, The repertoire is eclectic, fun and fascinating, from the finger snapping shuffle beats to the honey-slowed love croons.