A soul-stirring artist with a singularly expressive voice that exudes both tenderness and strength as it exquisitely molds itself to the South American styles and rhythms of her songs, Patricia Cano “literally radiates on stage.  She is truly made for live concerts” (Luce Couture, Centennial Theatre, Sherbrooke, Quebec).

Born in Sudbury, Ontario to Peruvian parents, this supremely talented singer-songwriter is also a brilliant actor.  Upon graduating from the University of Toronto, Patricia spent five years working in Paris, France with the world-renowned theatre company Le Théâtre du soleil, during which time its director, Madame Ariane Mnouchkine, sent her to Seoul to study traditional South Korean folk singing and drumming.  After leaving the French company, Patricia spent seven months in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil embracing the exceptional Carioca music scene.  In 2009, she launched her singing career with the album This is the New World, co-created with long-standing Brazilian (now Paris-based) musical partner Carlos Bernardo and produced by Toronto Latin percussion virtuoso Luis Orbegoso.

Another key influence in Patricia’s artistic career is Tomson Highway, Canada’s premier Cree playwright and composer.  Since 2001, Patricia has toured the world alongside Tomson, singing and performing his songs and stories in a one-woman Cree cabaret show.  Last year, Patricia was awarded the 2017 Toronto Theatre Critics Award for Best Actress in a Musical to honor her work in Highway’s musical “The (Post) Mistress”. She is also featured on his 2015 Juno-nominated album “Patricia Cano Sings Songs from The (Post) Mistress”.

Once again produced by Luis Orbegoso, Patricia’s sophomore album MADRE AMIGA HERMANA (2017) is an homage to womanhood and the feminine, boasting 11 songs (9 original) that explore themes like motherhood, race, legacy, the birth of love, as well as the environment, with a lush ode to la Pachamama (Mother Earth).  With its title taken from lyrics to the beloved Latin American song “Gracias a la Vida,” this recording was inspired by the new, warrior-esque feelings that Patricia experienced after the birth of her son in 2011.  Afro-Peruvian rhythms, samba and Latin American folk elements intersect with jazz throughout, and Patricia’s signature multilingual stylings (English, French, Spanish – and even the Quechua language of the Andes) intimately capture the spirit of the different cultures she inhabits.  Canadian music writer Raul da Gama calls MADRE AMIGA HERMANA “a breathtaking album…where Miss Cano reveals herself as an artist of the first order yet again.  Her instrument is gorgeous: lustrous, precise and featherlight.  Her musicianship is fierce as she digs into the expression of each word, brings ceaseless variety to the dynamics and gives each phrase an airy grace.”

• READ Raul da Gama’s superb Oct.18/18 feature on Patricia Cano in Toronto Music Report.
• WATCH the video for “Caminando,” the first track off Patricia Cano’s sophomore album MADRE AMIGA HERMANA (2017).

PATRICIA CANO’S BAND

• Kevin Barrett – guitar
• Patricia Cano – vocals
• Paco Luviano – bass
• Luis Orbegoso – percussion & backing vocals