In 2021 HSSB Artistic Director David Pell and Canadian Diva Measha Brueggergosman-Lee set out to commission a musically innovative new song-cycle for soprano, brass ensemble, and rhythm section that would shine a light on contemporary and perennial gender issues. A tall order, but Measha’s friendship with Margaret Atwood provided the text in the form of new poems and Toronto’s great film composer and jazz pianist Aaron Davis came on board to bring the music to life.
The result, Zombie Blizzard, a unique blending of the classical concert aria and jazz-influenced art song in which composer Aaron Davis uses the visceral poetry of Margaret Atwood to tackle issues of sexism, humour, gender inequality, and grief.
The recording has already started to garner critical attention on CBC Music’s Albums We Can’t Wait To Hear in 2024, upcoming features in the Globe and Mail and the music blog Ludwig Van, and a segment on CBC’s Q.
Zombie Blizzard will be released on March 1 with the World Premiere Concert Performance at 3:00PM Sunday March 3 at the Jane Mallett Theatre.
