Jane Bunnett and Maqueque break barriers and borders with jazz

Five-time Juno Award winner Jane Bunnett has always been drawn to the music of Latin America. Her interest eventually led her to the shores of Cuba where she began investigating the vibrant world of Cuban jazz.

While there, Bunnett discovered that many of Cuba's female jazz musicians don't have the same platform or stage to perform on as their male compatriots do. She decided to join forces with five young Cuban musicians — Tailin Marrero Zamora, Yissy García, Joanna Tendai Majoko, MaryPaz Fernández and Dánae Olano — to form a border-breaking jazz supergroup called Jane Bunnett and Maqueque.

They dropped by the q music studio to perform some songs off their latest album, On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme. Bunnett and Olano also sat down with host Tom Power to discuss why the group's international arrangement is striking a chord with audiences right now. 

Watch Jane Bunnett and Maqueque's performances below.

You can catch Jane Bunnett and Maqueque this winter as they embark on a tour through North America.

Download our podcast or click the 'Listen' link near the top of this page to hear the full live session and conversation.

— Produced by ​Mitch Pollock