2017 JUNO-nominated songwriter Maria Dunn draws deeply on the folk tradition of storytelling through song. Melding North American roots music with her Scottish-Irish Heritage, she sings about the resilience and grace of “ordinary” people, past and present. Her latest recording Gathering (Nominee – 2017 JUNO Award, Nominee – 2017 WCMA, Winner – Edmonton Music prize) celebrates love – the love of family, community and humanity that connects us and fires our actions to make the world a better place. Her previous album Piece By Piece (Nominee – 2013 Canadian Folk Music Award) pays tribute to immigrant women working at a Western Canadian clothing factory. Maria’s other independent CDs include: The Peddler (Nominee – 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award) and For A Song (Nominee – 2002 JUNO Award), all produced by Shannon Johnson (of 2007 Juno-winning band The McDades).
In addition to developing and touring four multimedia people’s history shows, On The River (with Indigenous women’s trio Asani), GWG: Piece by Piece and Troublemakers: Working Albertans, 1900 – 1950, with videographer Don Bouzek. Maria performs (solo, duo, ensemble) at festivals and theatres in Canada, Europe (UK/Ireland Tour 2017, 205; Netherlands Tour 2011, 2010) and USA. Media features include: Bravo TV (The Carol Project), CBC National Radio (Sunday Edition), CKUA Alberta, BBC Radio Scotland. Her songs are published in the Rise Again songbook, Sing Out! and Penguin Eggs magazines and recorded by other artists including Niamh Parsons, The Outside Track, Bob Bossin
“…remarkable singer-songwriter, think of her as a distaff Woody Guthrie.”
– Mike Ross, Edmonton Sun
“An arrestingly powerful singer-songwriter from Canada who write grate historical and social commentary”
– Rich Warren, WFMT Chicago and Sing Out! Magazine
“A wonder ful colleciton of new songs from one of our most important and vital songwriters…Essential listening, then, this Gathering.”
– Roddy Campbell, Penguin Eggs Magazine
Official Website: www.mariadunn.com