Compelling Canadian songstress Sarah Slean plays River Run

January 29, 2015

Guelph, ON January 29, 2014 – Singer, songwriter, pianist and three-time JUNO nominee Sarah Slean has been described by TIME Magazine as “one of the most compelling acts Canada has to offer.” The renowned songstress, who originally hails from Pickering, ON, is slated to perform at River Run Centre on Friday, February 13 at 8 p.m. on the Main Stage. The concert is presented as part of the Richardson GMP Music Series.

Slean is singular in her style. Her music weaves together orchestrated balladry, pop, rock, and a healthy dose of theatrically driven cabaret. Her formidable prowess on vocals and keys is rivaled by her skill as a lyricist. Slean – who is a poet and visual artist as well as a musician – writes lyrics that rouse the listener’s soul, inviting them in to share and relive her journeys of human experience. For her River Run performance Slean will be accompanied by a five-piece string ensemble, a drummer and a multi-instrumentalist/back-up singer.

In December of 2014, Slean released a DVD of her live performance at Montreal’s Gésu performance venue (available at sarahslean.com). Her latest record release, 2011’s Land & Sea, is a double album that has been met with critical acclaim, with the Montreal Gazette calling it a “masterpiece”. Land & Sea spawned two European tours and a dazzling cross-Canada tour, during which Slean performed live with various string orchestras. She is currently recording new work, with a release date still do be determined.

Slean had an early start in the recording industry, being signed to Atlantic/Warner Records at the tender age of 19. She has since released more than nine albums in over ten countries worldwide. Beyond her musical achievements Slean has published two volumes of poetry, starred in short films and a movie musical (earning two Gemini Award nominations), penned two string quartets, held numerous exhibitions of her paintings, and shared the stage with no less than seven of the country’s leading orchestras. Classically trained from the age of five, she routinely collaborates with cutting-edge contemporary classical ensembles like The Art of Time, and has been invited to sing world premieres by Canada’s leading composers Christos Hatzis and Glenn Buhr.

A list of Slean’s diverse influences may reveal why her own style is so difficult to define: they include Leonard Bernstein, quantum physics, Tim Burton, Joni Mitchell, spiritualism, Radiohead, Buddhism and Bach. This amalgam of influence combines with Slean’s individual talent to create a musical presence that is like no other. Her singularity has earned her appearances on the TEDGlobal stage, on the national TV show “Taratata” in France, at numerous major festivals, and in theatres across Europe and the US. In addition to headlining theatres across Canada, Sarah has also opened internationally for such artists as Rufus Wainwright, Bryan Ferry, Alanis Morissette, Andrew Bird, Feist, Chris Isaak, Paula Cole, Daniel Lanois, Ariane Moffatt, Indigo Girls, Ron Sexmsith and Sarah Harmer.

Tickets for this performance start at $39 for adults, and $37 for students and seniors. $5 eyeGO tickets are available for high school students with valid ID. $20 uGO tickets are available to university and college students with valid ID. Tickets are available at the River Run Box Office at 519-763-3000, or online at riverrun.ca/sarah-slean

FOR INFORMATION

Ella Pauls | Manager of Cultural Development
Culture & Tourism| Community & Social Services
City of Guelph

519-822-1260 extension 2589
[email protected]

 

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