Bio
Singer Songwriter Maura Shaftoe has been making beautiful noise for over twenty years. Blessed with a warm, soul-filled voice, she caught the attention of acclaimed musicians soon after her debut on the Calgary jazz scene, leading to multiple collaborations with Juno-award winning bassist and producer Mike Lent (Jann Arden). An engaging performer who connects deeply with her lyrics and audience, Maura weaves her intricate melodies and smoky tones through stories of love, loss and shared human experiences that resonate in the hearts of her listeners.
Maura’s fourth album, Make Me a Memory, out now, invites us to be in the present moment, and to live with no regrets. Collaborating with drummer and WCMA nominee Tyler Hornby, the duo have crafted original songs firmly rooted in jazz but infused with elements of Latin, folk and funk. Maura’s playfulness within the jazz form and raw, honest lyrics will intrigue jazz enthusiasts and new listeners alike. In one breath, her lyrics remind us to live fully – use the nice china / breakout the champagne – and in another not to hide behind the cheap veneer of materialism, but to go out and make memories that feed the soul.
The result: an album infused with inspiration and influence from many sources.
Maura loves connecting to people through the power of song, and can often be found chatting with her beloved fans after a show. Unforgettable performances include the Nancy Appleby Theatre in Athabasca, intimate house concerts for special guests, The Registry Theatre in Kitchener, Ontario and the Calgary International Jazz Festival – performing as a headliner over four years. Maura’s recordings have been played on Planete Jazz in Montreal, CBC Radio, and college radio nationwide. Her 2011 album Tidings of Comfort and Joy became a Top 100 most downloaded release on Radio Direct TX.
Maura always surprises with her sense of lyrics and her ability to reach into a song and make it count. Mike Lent
