The Organization of Saskatchewan Arts Councils (OSAC) Performing Arts circuit is bringing two acts to the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre (MJCC) this fall — The re-imagined swing and Gypsy jazz of Christine Tassan et les Imposteures, and the folk/pop/indie music of Indigenous duo Twin Flames.
Christine Tassan et les Imposteures — Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Based in Quebec, guitarist Christine Tassan has been performing for more than 20 years in the jazz, gypsy jazz, and swing genres. She is a singer, composer, writer, director, and producer with an international resume.
Gypsy jazz originated with French-Romani musician Jean (Django) Reinhardt in the 1930s, and the style’s catchy, improvisational uniqueness attracted Tassan the moment she discovered it.
Tassan’s band, founded in 2003, is composed of exemplary string musicians. Together, they put their own daring touch on the work of composers such as Félix Leclerc, George Gershwin, Louis Prima, and Charlie Chaplin.
For many years, Les Imposteures were an all-female band. The current line-up is Christine Tassan, Blanche Baillargeon, Martine Gaumond, and Jeff Mosely.
They have produced seven albums and put on more than 600 concerts across four continents.
Tickets to their Moose Jaw show are on Sasktix, or available from the MJCC box office.
Twin Flames — Saturday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunchild Deer-Okpik, known as Jaaji [pronounced Yaah Yee] and Chelsey June met in 2014 and combined their respective musical talents as Twin Flames.
Both Jaaji and Chelsey June saw success as individual artists before becoming a married duo.
Jaaji grew up in Quaqtaq, Quebec, of Inuk and Mohawk heritage. He was a Kativik police officer for 12 years before turning full-time to music. His debut album won album of the year at the 2015 Indigenous Music Awards. He sings in English and Inuttitut.
Chelsey June is from Gatineau, Quebec. Singing in French and English, she is a proud Indigenous woman of Métis, Algonquin and Cree heritage. She co-hosted the 2022 Canadian Folk Music Awards in Charlottetown, PEI in April, where Twin Flames won Indigenous Songwriters of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year for their album Omen.
The final member of Twin Flames is drummer Jason Watts. Watts has been on the scene for over 20 years and has worked alongside numerous acts, including 3 Days Grace, Blue Rodeo, Matt Mays and El Torpedo, and has played over 1,500 shows.
Twin Flames doesn’t fit easily into any popular genres — Indigenous indie folk seems closest. They combine Indigenous and Western styles and languages, integrating and innovating as part of an Indigenous renaissance in music.
Twin Flames are veteran performers whose 2020 album Omen continues to attract international attention.
See Twin Flames on Nov. 26 by buying tickets from Sasktix.ca or the MJCC box office.
