# Jane Bunnett

Mary Jane Bunnett, OC (born October 22, 1956) is a Canadian musician and educator. A soprano saxophonist, flautist and bandleader, she is especially known for performing Afro-Cuban jazz. She travels regularly to Cuba to perform with Cuban musicians.

## Early life and education

She changed her instruments, from pursuing her career "as a classical pianist...at age 20 to jazz and to flute and soprano saxophone."

## Career

Bunnett founded and leads an all-female Afro-Cuban/jazz group, Maqueque. Its other members are: Dánae Olano (vocals, piano), Yissy Garcia (drums), Magdelys Savigne (vocals, batá drums, congas); Elizabeth Rodriguez (vocals, violin), and Celia Jiménez (vocals, bass). The group has won one Juno Award (Best Group Jazz Album of the Year in 2014 for its debut CD) and garnered two Grammy nominations, while Bunnett herself has won four additional Juno Awards.

## Honors and awards

In 2004, Bunnett was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour given in this country, granted to Canadian citizens 'for outstanding achievement and service to the country or to humanity at large.'

## Personal life

Bunnett is married to another musician, trumpeter Larry Cramer. They reside in Toronto but have traveled to Cuba for musical collaborations for more than 30 years.
Bunnett is also a social activist.

## Discography

| Artist | Title | Year | Notes |
| Jane Bunnett | In Dew Time | 1988 | with Don Pullen and Dewey Redman; Dark Light LP DL-9001 |
| Jane Bunnett/Don Pullen | New York Duets | 1989 | |
| Jane Bunnett Quintet | Live at Sweet Basil | 1990 | |
| Jane Bunnett | Spirits of Havana | 1991 | |
| Jane Bunnett | The Water is Wide | 1993 | with Don Pullen, Jeanne Lee, and Sheila Jordan |
| Paul Bley/Jane Bunnett | Double Time | 1994 | |
| Jane Bunnett | Rendez-Vous Brazil Cuba | 1995 | |
| Jane Bunnett | Jane Bunnett and the Cuban Piano Masters | 1996 | |
| Various Artists | Havana Flute Summit | 1997 | |
| Jane Bunnett & The Spirits of Havana | Chamalongo | 1997 | |
| Jane Bunnett & The Spirits of Havana | Ritmo + Soul | 2000 | |
| Jane Bunnett | Alma de Santiago | 2001 | Juno Award nomination for Best Global recording and Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Jazz recording |
| Stanley Cowell and Jane Bunnett | Spirituals and Dedications | 2002 | |
| Jane Bunnett | Cuban Odyssey | 2002 | Juno Award nomination for Best Global recording and Grammy Award nomination for Best Latin Jazz recording |
| Jane Bunnett | Red Dragonfly (Aka Tombo) | 2004 | Juno Award nomination for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year |
| Jane Bunnett | Radio Guantanamo (Guantanamo Blues Project Vol. 1) | 2006 | Juno Award winner for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year |
| Jane Bunnett | Embracing Voices | 2008 | |
| Jane Bunnett & Maqueque | Jane Bunnett & Maqueque | 2014 | |
| Jane Bunnett & Maqueque | Oddara | 2016 | |
| Jane Bunnett & Maqueque | On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme | 2019 | |
| Jane Bunnett & Maqueque | Playing with Fire | 2023 | |

## List of awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Title |
| 2009 | Juno Award | Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year | Embracing Voices |
| 2006 | Juno Award | Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year | Radio Guantanamo Blues Project - Vol. I |
| 2005 | Urban Music Award (nomination) | Best Jazz Recording of the Year | Radio Guantanamo Blues Project - Vol. I |
| 2004 | Grammy Award (nomination) | Best Latin Jazz Album | Cuban Odyssey |
| 2004 | Down Beat Award | USA — Critic's Poll for Rising Star, Flute | |
| 2003 | Urban Music Award | Best Global Recording | Cuban Odyssey |
| 2003 | American Jazz Writers’ Association Award | Best Latin Jazz Album | Cuban Odyssey |
| 2003 | Juno Award (nomination) | Best Global Recording | Cuban Odyssey |
| 2003 | Grammy Award (nomination) | Best Latin Jazz Recording | Cuban Odyssey |
| 2003 | Jazz Journalists Award | Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year | Cuban Odyssey |
| 2003 | Juno Award (nomination) | Best Contemporary Jazz Album | Spirituals & Dedications |
| 2003 | Grammy Award (nomination) | Best Latin Jazz Album | Alma De Santiago |
| 2003 | Down Beat Award | Staff/Readers Poll for Rising Star, Flute/Saxophone | |
| 2002 | Juno Award (nomination) | Best Global Recording | Alma De Santiago |
| 2002 | Smithsonian Institution Award | | "for contributions and dedication to the development of Latin Jazz" |
| 2002 | Grammy Award (nomination) | Best Latin Jazz Recording | Alma De Santiago |
| 2002 | Canadian National Jazz Award | Saxophonist of the Year | |
| 2002 | Down Beat Award | Critics’ Poll for Deserving of Wider Recognition, Flute | |
| 2002 | Jazz Journalists Award | Best Latin Jazz Record | Alma De Santiago |
| 2001 | Jazz Journalists Award (nomination) | Best Soprano Saxophonist | |
| 2001 | Down Beat Award | Critics’ Poll for Deserving of Wider Recognition, Flute | |
| 1994 | Village Voice Award | Best Record of the Year | The Water is Wide |
| 1992 | Juno Award | Best Jazz Album | Spirits of Havana |
| 1991 | All-Music Guide Award | One of the Top 300 Jazz Discs of All Time | Spirits of Havana |
| 1988 | Juno Award (nomination) | | In Dew Time |