Jane Bunnett

Jane Bunnett studied at The Royal Conservatory of Music. Subjects and genres recorded for the work are jazz and Afro-Cuban jazz. Distinctions recorded are Officer of the Order of Canada, Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year, Juno Award for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year and Honorary doctorate from Queen's University.

• Name — Jane Bunnett • Birth Name — Mary Jane Bunnett • Born — 22 October 1956 • Birthplace — Toronto, Ontario • Genre — Afro-Cuban jazz • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Soprano saxophone, flute, piano

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

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.

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.

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.'

• 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