Muskoskwew [Muh-Skow-Skweew] Quartet

The compositions feature music written by Gilday and Halliday during a special songwriting workshop held in NZ over 3 weeks. Along with this work the quartet has collaborated on new works as well as a few of Leela’s existing songs. 

Each member has carved out a name for themselves as confident, and skilled performers. Approached by Halliday to collaborate having worked with Dandeneau,and Gilday on the highly successful series  The Hundred Years Café written by Greg Coyes, Halliday had wanted to further the experiences of this work given it was just so easy to work together and create great songs...and everyone said YES!!! With the addition of the wonderful Celloist Derken [who featured on Leela’s 1st album, and most recent album,] it seemed like a great way to play together again and really create a performance unit for live work around festivals and theatres. Watch out for Muskoskwew Quartet in 2015 throughout Canada and the States.

BIOS

Leela Gilday

A passionate singer/songwriter and soulful performer, Leela Gilday has a voice that comes straight from the heart. Confessing her stories to her audiences with a gutsy voice and open stage presence, Gilday weaves her experiences as a northerner, a member of the Dene nation, and a traveler into a beautiful world that transports the listener. With three full-length recordings and a long touring history, Gilday has numerous awards to her credit, including a Juno, two Western Canadian Music Awards, Aboriginal Female Entertainer of the Year to name a few.Based out of Yellowknife, NT, Leela has toured festivals and concert halls through every province and territory in Canada. Leela has also played internationally in several countries including Japan, US, Greenland, Denmark, and New Zealand. Her live shows, and many appearances on television and radio have earned her an important place in the Aboriginal music scene, as well as a loyal mainstream following.

Kim Halliday

Kim’s musical experiences have been strewn across the globe over the past 22yrs. Having attended 8 courses on Guitar Techique and ensemble work with Robert Fripp Kim has a diverse range of musical ability and skills. Kim has been involved in over  35 recorded works and 3 documentaries,[see 100 years café [Greg Coyes, featuring many of her own compositions, and is the principle writer for Pacific Curls music. Kim has toured Europe, Australia, Aotearoa, New Caledonia, South Korea, Canada, The States and China, and has performed in Major festivals around the world... Kim Halliday is a highly skilled and consummate musician, composer and arranger, who plays Guitar, Ukulele, Percussion, Kalimba [Thumb Piano] Pot Drum, Mandolin, Bass and Piano. Kim is currently on tour in the UK with Pacific Curls.

MJ Dandeneau

When Marie Josée’s high school band teacher suggested she switch from the trombone to the electric bass, she never would have thought that playing the bass would become her livelihood and lead her to international touring! MJ is one of the hardest working and most talented bass players in Canada. Much in demands, her tours have led her to play with many international musicians from around the world, which has made her phenomenally versatile and well versed in many genres of music. Perhaps what most influenced Marie Josee’s unique sound, was growing up in a family of French Canadian Métis folk musicians Now, as a professional musician she flavors her craft with sounds from her Métis background.

MJ has worked with Top Canadian groups Digging Roots, and Oh My Darling, as well as Leela Gilday, and Amanda Rheaume. MJ features on the 100 Years Café documentary along with Pacific Curls [NZ] and Leela Gilday [Canada].

Cris Derksen

Aboriginal cellist Cris Derksen is known for building layers of sound into captivating performances. Her music braids the traditional and contemporary in multiple dimensions, weaving her traditional classical training and her aboriginal ancestry with new school electronics creating genre defying music. Performing from Norway to Australia, Canadian Aboriginal cellist Cris Derksen is known for building layers of sound into captivating performances. Coming from North Tall Cree reserve in Northern Alberta her music braids the traditional and contemporary in multiple dimensions, weaving her traditional classical training and her aboriginal ancestry with new school electronics, creating genre defying music. She has performed with an array of impressive musicians such as Buffy Sainte Marie, Tanya Tagaq, Kinnie Starr and Kanye West.