The sounds of Haitian soul, jazz and Caribbean rhythm will fill downtown St. Albert as part of the Plaza Series.
The evening of July 24 will be filled with two performances by Bel and Quinn, as well as Morgan Hanna.
Bel and Quinn perform in English, French, and Haitian Creole, blending jazz, funk, R&B and traditional Haitian genres like kompa. Their music is both celebratory and deeply personal, shaped by shared experiences of struggle, healing and joy.
"We started [music] and what really inspired us is really our struggles with mental health, and it was really a light for us to get out of this darkness together," said Bel. "We see our music as healing, but it's also joy, because we want people to find joy and to be themselves and so they can follow their own roles, so they can overcome any difficulties they have. So this is what we want to do with our music."
Their latest album, Donte sann yo, features a 10-piece ensemble composed primarily of women. It is, in their words, a tribute to their Haitian roots and to the women who came before them.
"It [creating the album] was a long process, it was an emotional one, but it was a great journey," said Bel. 'For this album, we wanted to do, like, a bigger ensemble. So we wanted to have 10 musicians on this album. And we wanted to really explore this part of Haitian music."
Quinn explained that they had primarily hired women to play in the ensemble, and this is also something they are bringing to their tour.
Bel explained that they are excited for the upcoming performances, especially the one in St. Albert, as they were originally supposed to perform at the Arden Theatre in March but had to cancel the performance.
"It's our first, like, big tour. So we're really excited for this summer," said Bel. "We're going on tour with our musicians. It's been a long time that we've been working with these amazing, talented women. So we're really excited."
Bel said the audience can expect a high-energy show and to hear plenty of music from their album. Quinn explained that she hopes the audience can see the talent of the women performing.
"We're five women, talented women on stage, and we just want to share our message of hope and love and joy and say to the public that it's okay to heal," said Quinn. "And to meet, like, all these people, who see our shows. I mean, it's just amazing to share with people."
Also performing that evening is Morgan Hanna, a rising Edmonton artist originally from the Bahamas. Hanna is a recent graduate of MacEwan University and is a singer, guitarist and composer who brings her own Caribbean roots and jazz background to the stage.
The performances will start at 7 p.m. at St. Albert Place. Admission is free, and no tickets are required. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own seating and enjoy an evening of music.
