Here you can find the relevant marketing and touring documents needed. Please do not hesitate to reach out to [email protected] for further questions.
|
|
| ||||||||||||||
What They Are Saying
|
Calgary Herald Review
"The album, which also comes out Oct. 29, begins with Kayas-ayiwan, a haunting mix of piano flourishes and viola/flute lines gently drifting atop a windy backdrop that is meant to evoke “the ancient ones” of McMann’s culture. It’s followed by the multi-movement The River Has Man Ways of Being, which was partially inspired by a story of McMann’s late Cree grandmother. It’s followed by Stories for My People, which McMann composed in 2020 after receiving a grant from Calgary Arts Development and was inspired by Canadian residential schools. The mournful Lament for Small Souls follows, which blends McMann’s traditional Cree/a capella vocals with flute and was written in response to the discovery of unmarked graves of residential school children." - Eric Volmers |
Create A Stir article
"Spanning original compositions for a range of flutes, plus voices, piano, and viola, McMann's compositions are vast and atmospheric, reminiscent of the landscape of her homelands. Prairie Dusk illustrates both a sense of profound loss and the joy of belonging through a multimedia performance that blends music with visual and storytelling components. " |
Eric Volmers' Favourite Albums of 2023
"On Prairie Dusk, classical flautist and composer Jessica McMann offers soundscapes that are both haunting and beautiful. Mesmerizing instrumental flourishes come courtesy of McMann’s delicate playing and the backing of first-rate musicians, including American Navajo pianist Connor Chee and violist Holly Bhattacharya. Meanwhile, Mountain Prairie features a stunning vocal performance by Metis baritone Jonathon Adams. The compositions were informed by McMann’s Cree culture, which is particularly evident on Lament for Small Souls. The stunning composition was inspired by the discovery of unmarked graves of residential schoolchildren and mixes traditional Cree vocals with stirring and ghostly flute lines." - Eric Volmers |
Audience Comments from the 2025 tour
|
I’m writing to thank you for your recent very beautiful, haunting, powerful, and deeply moving concert in Powell River.
The stories you share together with the music you write and play…and your very presence…I have trouble finding words for the feelings that all of it, and you, evoked as the music poured from you and your fellow musicians. What an absolute gift to experience it all, here. Oh yes, and also to include and share the stage with the group from Tla’amin. A thousand thank yous, and wishing you all the best in your musical and altogether and multifaceted creative journey forward. Sincerely and with much gratitude, Deborah |
Thank you to Virginia Jessica Sparvier-Wells (Jessica McMann), the Shuswap Band, and everyone who joined us last night (Tuesday, May 27) at the Columbia Valley Centre for a powerful and moving evening of music.
The Prairie Dusk performance, led by the incredibly talented flutist Virginia Jessica Sparvier-Wells (Jessica McMann), was a heartfelt performance rooted in Indigenous music, stories, and imagery. With around 75 attendees, the concert was an intimate and meaningful experience, freely offered to the community. We are thankful for the partnership between the District of Invermere and the Shuswap Band, which made this memorable evening possible. - District of Invermere |