2016 Julian Award for excellence in emerging Canadian jazz artists
“This is the kind of jazz aficionados should prefer…whether it’s as a singer or trumpeter (and I can’t decide in which role I prefer her, so strong are these performances), Kannangara is always in service of the song.“ -Mark Rheaume, – CBC Radio
“Tara has the goods to back up the ambitious scope of her musical projects: clarion voice, solid lyrics, heavy trumpet chops and the kind of depth and sincerity that will keep you interested and wanting to dig deeper into what it is she’s offering.” –Elizabeth Shepherd
Categorizing her diverse sound is a difficult proposition. Tara’s preferred tag is “Groove-Based Indie Jazz,” for elements of melodic indie pop are seamlessly meshed with fresh jazz grooves. Similarly, the mellow feel of her trumpet playing neatly complements the subtle nuances of her unaffected vocal style.
Growing up in Chilliwack, BC, she 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. Tara studied at the University of Victoria and concentrated on classical trumpet and vocals; later, Tara moved 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 and continues to perform all across Canada. Tara has also had a chance to shine south of the border. This summer she performed a full set 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. Her debut album “Some Version of the Truth” was nominated for a 2016 Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year.
Tara Kannangara – Trumpet and Vocals
Colin Story – Guitar
Chris Pruden – Piano/Keyboards
Julian Anderson-Bowes – Bass
Mackenzie Longpre – Drums
“Show Me Where to Go” Tara Kannangara trumpet and vocals.
