Quadra Concerts 2023-24 Season

The Emily Carr String Quartet has established itself as one of BC’s finest music ensembles. Formed in 2006 by members of the Victoria Symphony and the Aventa Ensemble of Victoria BC, the Emily Carr String Quartet is renowned for its passionate and inspiring performances. Müge Büyükçelen-Badel on violin1, Cory Balzer on violin 2, Mieka Michaux on viola, and Alasdair Money on cello are all exceptional musicians. They have participated in residencies at Stanford University and the Banff Centre, performed for a wide variety of festivals, and been featured on CBC radio’s “North by Northwest”. The quartet has also done much to honour the celebrated local artist, Emily Carr. They perform works that pay homage to her, such as Jean Coulthard’s “Pines of Emily Carr”, and have incorporated her writings into some concerts.  
More information is available at: http://emilycarrstringquartet.com/

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Oktopus is a world music group primarily devoted to klezmer—the musical heritage of Eastern European Jews—distinguished by a novel approach that incorporates various components of classical, Quebecois, and jazz repertoires. The group’s eight virtuoso musicians offer festive, high-energy performances, at once melancholic and profound, sprinkled with humour and spiced with narrative, in which original compositions and finely crafted arrangements combine with improvisation. Oktopus’ distinctive music is undeniably rooted in the klezmer tradition, reflecting the rich history of a thousand-year-old community, its persecutions and celebrations, tears and laughter, or both at the same time. The melodies of several classical composers, such as Bartók, Brahms, Prokofiev or Enescu are rearranged by the octet, particularly their works derived from folk themes. Quebec songwriters are also sources of inspiration.
More information is available at: https://www.oktopus.ca/

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Canadian pianist Sarah Hagen’s has toured extensively and is highly awarded. She is an avid collaborator and frequent soloist. As a pianist, her interpretations have been described as “outstandingly inventive” and “played flawlessly”. Touring as both a solo pianist and as a comedienne, “Hagen reminds us how the beauty of an honest solo performance can make you so easily fall in love with its performer.” A visionary and an idealist, Sarah’s performances are conceptually innovative, sometimes including images, dance and spoken word. In 2021 Sarah released her fourth album, J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations, which was described as “something to absolutely die for” and won two 2022 Music PEI awards for Instrumental Recording of the Year and Album Art of the Year. Quadra Concerts is pleased to present Sarah Hagen performing “J.S Bach: Goldberg Variations”.
More information is available at: https://sarahhagen.com/

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Like the powerful mandolinist and composer at its helm, John Reischman and the Jaybirds fashion a stylish take on bluegrass that seamlessly blends original songs and instrumentals with Appalachian old-time music for a truly unique band sound. Now in their 20th year, with seven acclaimed albums and two Juno nominations, the Jaybirds are simultaneously innovative and unadorned, sophisticated and stripped-down, happily old-fashioned and 21st-century contemporary. Bluegrass Unlimited calls John Reischman “one of the world’s undisputed masters” of the mandolin, famed for outstanding tone and taste. The Jaybirds includes Patrick Sauber on guitar, Trisha Gagnon on vocals, Nick Hornbuckle on banjo and Greg Spatz on fiddle, all exceptional musicians in their own right. Folk Radio UK said, “The Jaybirds put their own particular stamp on bluegrass, old time and acoustic roots music, with a satisfying blend of traditional and modern styles, and they also give the impression that they really enjoy playing together. There’s plenty here to please both bluegrass traditionalists and lovers of modern American folk music, especially for those with an appreciation of great harmony singing as well as masterful instrumental playing.”
More information is available at: https://thejaybirds.com/

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This phenomenal trio of Celtic musicians features Franco-Ontarian fiddler Pierre Schryer, North American folk dance specialist Danielle Enblom, and European influenced BC guitarist Adam Dobres. The group brings together three diverse music careers laden with nominations and diplomas including JUNO, Canadian Folk Music Awards, Western Canadian Music Awards, as well as a Diploma in Traditional Irish Music (UCC). The trio manifests a true presence on stage that openly shares the muse of the music-making and their rhythmic creations. The duo of Schryer and Dobres has collaborated on festivals and recording projects. They are now joined by Minnesota step dancer Danielle Enblom who performs the old Irish dancing master traditions, along with some flavours of her own Métis and Québécois heritage This exceptional ensemble performs an eclectic array of musical gems from across the globe including Ireland, Scotland, Algeria, Brazil, Québec, USA and more.
More information is available at: https://www.schryerdobres.com/

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Hailing from Montreal by way of Budapest, Sophie Lukacs is a kora player, singer-songwriter, and one of the only women in the world to play the 21-string Mandingue instrument. Trained on the violin in classical music from a young age, a chance trip to Burkina Faso in her early twenties completely changed her musical direction, and her life. She has forged a distinct style, drawing inspiration from her training in classical violin, seven years of study in Mali with kora virtuoso Toumani Diabaté, and her roots in Hungarian folk music. Sophie’s music is rooted in love, empathy, and vulnerability, creating an intimate connection with listeners. Her debut album was released in spring 2023, and features the legendary Habib Koité.
More information is available at: https://sophielukacs.com/

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