Part of the residency Rebecca Hennessy
Southern Cross
"Rebecca Hennessy’s Singer-songwriter Circle returns to the Tranzac this month for an intimate evening of songs in the round, bringing together three boundary-pushing artists whose work spans songwriting, composition, jazz, and fearless musical storytelling. Joined by the incomparable Michael Herring on upright bass, this edition promises a rare and deeply personal night of shared songs, conversation, and collaboration.
Award-winning composer, arranger, producer, and multi-instrumentalist La-Nai Gabriel brings her expansive creative vision to the circle. Fresh off major Canadian Screen Award recognition and celebrated for work spanning film, television, orchestration, and original music, La-Nai’s artistry is as cinematic as it is soulful.
Juno-nominated vocalist, educator, and musical shapeshifter Alex Samaras joins with his singular voice and genre-defying approach. From Judy Garland to avant-garde composition, from Tafelmusik to Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Alex’s artistry is bold, vulnerable, and endlessly inventive.
Host Rebecca Hennessy brings her deeply personal songwriting, warm vocal presence, and poetic storytelling to the heart of the evening. Her music bridges jazz, roots, and the singer-songwriter tradition, creating songs that are intimate, emotionally resonant, and rich with lived experience. With new original music that explores family history, migration, and identity, Hennessy’s performances invite listeners into a space of honesty, connection, and beautifully crafted song—while her trumpet adds another expressive voice to the journey.
Together, these three celebrated artists will trade songs, stories, and spontaneous musical moments in one of Toronto’s most beloved listening rooms—an up-close evening of connection, creativity, and extraordinary music."