Mary Jane Bunnett, (born October 22, 1956) is a Canadian musician and educator. A soprano saxophonist, flautist and bandleader, she is especially known for performing Afro-Cuban jazz. She travels regularly to Cuba to perform with Cuban musicians.
Early life and education She changed her instruments, from pursuing her career "as a classical pianist...at age 20 to jazz and to flute and soprano saxophone."
Career Bunnett founded and leads an all-female Afro-Cuban/jazz group, Maqueque. Its other members are: Dánae Olano (vocals, piano), Yissy Garcia (drums), Magdelys Savigne (vocals, batá drums, congas); Elizabeth Rodriguez (vocals, violin), and Celia Jiménez (vocals, bass). The group has won one Juno Award (Best Group Jazz Album of the Year in 2014 for its debut CD) and garnered two Grammy nominations, while Bunnett herself has won four additional Juno Awards.
Honors and awards In 2004, Bunnett was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour given in this country, granted to Canadian citizens 'for outstanding achievement and service to the country or to humanity at large.'
Personal life Bunnett is married to another musician, trumpeter Larry Cramer. They reside in Toronto but have traveled to Cuba for musical collaborations for more than 30 years.
Bunnett is also a social activist.
Discography Artist Title Year Notes Jane Bunnett In Dew Time 1988 with Don Pullen and Dewey Redman; Dark Light LP DL-9001 Jane Bunnett/Don Pullen New York Duets 1989 Jane Bunnett Quintet Live at Sweet Basil 1990 with Don Pullen, Billy Hart, Kieran Overs Jane Bunnett Spirits of Havana 1991 with Merceditas Valdés, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Yoruba Andabo Jane Bunnett The Water is Wide 1993 with Don Pullen, Billy Hart, Kieran Overs, Jeanne Lee, and Sheila Jordan Paul Bley/Jane Bunnett Double Time 1994 Jane Bunnett Rendez-Vous Brazil Cuba 1995 Jane Bunnett Jane Bunnett and the Cuban Piano Masters 1996 Various Artists Havana Flute Summit 1997 Jane Bunnett & The Spirits of Havana Chamalongo 1997 Jane Bunnett & The Spirits of Havana Ritmo + Soul 2000 Jane Bunnett Alma de Santiago 2001 Juno Award nomination for Best Global recording and Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Jazz recording Stanley Cowell and Jane Bunnett Spirituals and Dedications 2002 Jane Bunnett Cuban Odyssey 2002 Juno Award nomination for Best Global recording and Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Jazz recording Jane Bunnett Red Dragonfly (Aka Tombo) 2004 Juno Award nomination for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year Jane Bunnett Radio Guantanamo (Guantanamo Blues Project Vol. 1) 2006 Juno Award winner for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year Jane Bunnett Embracing Voices 2008 Jane Bunnett & Maqueque Jane Bunnett & Maqueque 2014 Jane Bunnett & Maqueque Oddara 2016 Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album Jane Bunnett & Maqueque On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme 2019 Jane Bunnett & Maqueque Playing with Fire 2023 Jane Bunnett & Maqueque Diez Años 2024
List of awards and nominations Year Award Category Title 2009 Juno Award Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year Embracing Voices 2006 Juno Award Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year Radio Guantanamo Blues Project - Vol. I 2005 Urban Music Award (nomination) Best Jazz Recording of the Year Radio Guantanamo Blues Project - Vol. I 2004 Grammy Award (nomination) Best Latin Jazz Album Cuban Odyssey 2004 Down Beat Award USA — Critic's Poll for Rising Star, Flute 2003 Urban Music Award Best Global Recording Cuban Odyssey 2003 American Jazz Writers’ Association Award Best Latin Jazz Album Cuban Odyssey 2003 Juno Award (nomination) Best Global Recording Cuban Odyssey 2003 Grammy Award (nomination) Best Latin Jazz Recording Cuban Odyssey 2003 Jazz Journalists Award Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year Cuban Odyssey 2003 Juno Award (nomination) Best Contemporary Jazz Album Spirituals & Dedications 2003 Grammy Award (nomination) Best Latin Jazz Album Alma De Santiago 2003 Down Beat Award Staff/Readers Poll for Rising Star, Flute/Saxophone 2002 Juno Award (nomination) Best Global Recording Alma De Santiago 2002 Smithsonian Institution Award "for contributions and dedication to the development of Latin Jazz" 2002 Grammy Award (nomination) Best Latin Jazz Recording Alma De Santiago 2002 Canadian National Jazz Award Saxophonist of the Year 2002 Down Beat Award Critics’ Poll for Deserving of Wider Recognition, Flute 2002 Jazz Journalists Award Best Latin Jazz Record Alma De Santiago 2001 Jazz Journalists Award (nomination) Best Soprano Saxophonist 2001 Down Beat Award Critics’ Poll for Deserving of Wider Recognition, Flute 1994 Village Voice Award Best Record of the Year The Water is Wide 1992 Juno Award Best Jazz Album Spirits of Havana 1991 All-Music Guide Award One of the Top 300 Jazz Discs of All Time Spirits of Havana 1988 Juno Award (nomination) In Dew Time
References
External links Official site Jane Bunnett at The Canadian Encyclopedia