This past weekend, Axé World Fest hosted the “Empowering Women in the Music Industry” Conference in venues around Ottawa. The Ottawa-based organization’s mission is to promote music and culture from Canada and around the world with a special focus on BIPOC artists and those in marginalized groups. After attending on Friday night and hearing amazing acts like Mia Kelly, pHoenix Pagliacci and international Brazilian DJ, Mari Rossi, I knew I had to attend Saturday’s showcase and share the magic with you all.
The mood at the NAC Fourth Stage is expectant as the first performer, Kellylee Evans takes the glittering stage in a flowery two-piece. Evans is a dynamic performer with a rich tone perfect for serenading. In between soulful selections, she talks about overcoming a lot while balancing singing and motherhood. Her songs vary in genres from jazz to soul to R&B and even a little rock and reggae but the themes remain the same: love, family and perseverance. Before her last song, she checks in with the audience, “Did you feel the love?” And that we do.
The night shifts into high gear with the arrival of South African artist, Lorraine Klaasen. Before she takes the stage, our MC, Treasa Levasseur, relays a message: today is the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s liberation from apartheid. Klaasen is a vision in red and black, decked head to toe with cultural accessories. “Let’s go to Africa!” she declares with joy. Klaasen never stops moving and her infectious energy spreads to the crowd. The band members are masters at their craft and effortlessly complement her powerful choruses. She also regales us with funny stories and warm childhood anecdotes. This performance is a beautiful celebration of South Africa’s culture and hard-won freedom.
Next up is Janice Jo Lee, a folk artist the MC describes as “authentically themself”. She starts with a poem declaring herself a femme power who “takes no shit and gets shit done”. Accompanied by her band, the QTs, she launches into a vulnerable yet bracing performance filled with beautiful harmonies and thoughtful lyrics. Lee makes a lot of jokes while singing and not but she’s also refreshingly honest about struggles with climate anxiety, queerness and living under the patriarchy. She shares her love of folk music as a tool for telling and preserving stories. Lee also highlights her Korean heritage and performs a song in her native language while playing the traditional Korean drum, janggu.
The award for Best Closing Act goes to The Joy Lapps project. The band led by steelpan artist, Joy Lapps, needs no words as their instruments say everything they need to. I’ve never heard a steelpan live; its sound signature is quite vibrant. In between numbers, Lapps tells us the story behind each song, often pulled from experiences with friends and family. The band’s versatility is highlighted as they smoothly move between musical influences like jazz, Latin and rock but stay anchored in their Afro-Carribean roots. I can’t stop moving and neither can the crowd. At the end of their set, we thank them with a standing ovation.
The Empowering Women in the Music Conference is a feast for the senses. Not only did I experience some of my new favourite artists, but I also got to network and learn from passionate music professionals. The passion and dedication of the Axé World Fest team was also quite clear. I can’t wait to come back next year!
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