After quickly making a splash as a performer on the Toronto music scene, trumpeter/vocalist/songwriter Tara Kannangara is now poised to release her accomplished debut album, Some Version of the Truth.
It introduces a multi-faceted artist with a fresh musical approach.
Growing up in Chilliwack, Kannangara studied classical piano and singing from an early age. She was active in musical theatre and choirs, then picked up the trumpet in high school, concentrating on classical before later moving into jazz.
Kannangara studied at the University of Victoria and concentrated on classical trumpet and vocals; later moving to Toronto to pursue jazz studies at the University of Toronto where she came into her own as a performer and songwriter.
As a bandleader, Kannangara has quickly made a splash on the Toronto jazz scene. She has become a regular fixture at jazz hub The Rex via well-received residencies and a Toronto Jazz Festival gig there this summer.
Kannangara has also had a chance to shine south of the border. This summer she performed a full set of reimagined music made famous by Ella Fitzgerald tribute at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, dazzling the crowd with both her playing and singing. She also had gigs in Baltimore, Brooklyn, and New York City’s Jazz Gallery.
Kannangara has had the opportunity to work and perform with leading international jazz artists, including Esperanza Spalding, Theo Bleckmann, Tim Hagans and many more.
Her band includes Colin Story on guitar, Chris Pruden on piano, Julian Anderson-Bowes on bass and Mackenzie Longpre on drums.
The concert runs from 7 to 9 p.m. in the banquet room at Shuswap Chefs Restaurant at 551 Trans-Canada Hwy. Admission is by donation. A drinks and tapas menu is available.