A Port Theatre Spotlight Series Presentation
sGaanaGwa — Winter Solstice
with special guest Ay Lelum— The Good House of Design
Post-show chat in the theatre
“Cutting-edge Ancient!”
sGaanaGwa is a compelling collaboration exploring the Haida Worldview of a Supernatural landscape through traditional Haida music interwoven with influences from jazz, blues, folk and rock. sGaanaGwa is a Haida culture and language project of award-winning singer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, legendary musicians Bill Henderson and Claire Lawrence of the acclaimed rock band Chilliwack. They are supported by Western Canadian Music Awards 2019 Jazz Artist of the Year bassist Jodi Proznick and renowned vocalists Saffron Henderson and Camille Henderson.
sGaanaGwa integrates ancient Haida knowledge and oral traditions and draws upon the magic that occurs in both traditional potlatches and jazz improvisation, which they bring to their live performances. Their concerts are an invitation to explore new territories, to share music, knowledge and sounds that summon feelings and images that flow from the Supernatural landscape. A driving force of the band is to propel the conversation about past and future, history and legacy, and the human experience of the Supernatural Realm around us. “We want to connect people of different backgrounds, to help bridge cultures, and to have some fun on the way.”
Terri-Lynn has made it her life’s work and passion to preserve Haida music and culture. Grizzly Bear Town is Terri-Lynn’s third album in the endangered Haida language, and is a collaborative creation with Bill Henderson and Claire Lawrence. Some of the album was filmed and recorded in Haida Gwaii and is evocative of the spirit of primordial Haida Gwaii. sGaanaGwa is a Haida word, that means supernatural, or supernatural being, or powerful.
