Solo Artist · Jazz · Spain

Carme Canela

Releases

Albums

786

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Jazz

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About

A vocalist who turns the resilience of Catalonia into a defiant anthem against fascism.

Carme Canela is a vocalist who channels the resilience and defiance of her homeland into every note she sings. Her voice is a weapon against fascism, a torchbearer of Catalan spirit, and a bridge between past and present. With her powerful contralto, she has tackled everything from wartime anthems to contemporary jazz, earning her the Catalan Disc of the Year Award along the way. Born in 1962, Canela’s musical education began at the Aula de Música Moderna in Barcelona and continued under the tutelage of vocalists like Dee Kohanna and Joaquim Proubasta. She quickly established herself as a formidable force in the Catalan jazz scene, collaborating with musicians like David Xirgu, Joan Monné, and Bruce Barth. With each album, Canela demonstrates a deepening commitment to the art of song. From the fiery political statements of her early work to the refined elegance of her later recordings, she remains a constant presence in the Catalan musical landscape. Her most recent project, 'Carme Canela canta Gioconda Belli,' showcases her ability to adapt and innovate within the traditional framework of jazz, while also paying homage to the rich cultural heritage of her native land.

Sound

Carme Canela’s sound is characterized by a rich, resonant contralto that carries both the weight of history and the immediacy of modern concerns.

Scene

Carme Canela stands as a pillar of the Catalan jazz community, her work serving as a bridge between political activism and musical artistry.

Timeline

· Born in 1962 in Barcelona, Spain.
· Studied with Dee Kohanna and Joaquim Proubasta.
· Collaborated with international jazz musicians including David Xirgu and Joan Monné.
· Earned the Catalan Disc of the Year Award.
· Released '¡No pasarán!' Canciones de guerra contra el fascismo in 1997.
· Performed with the Albert Guinovart Ensemble and the Big Band Jazz de Terrassa.
· Presented 'Carme Canela canta Gioconda Belli' in 2007.
· Recorded 'Ballads' in 2018.