Maria Manna & International Women of Jazz

 Maria Manna & International Women of Jazz is an all-female ensemble celebrating jazz as a global art form through language, culture, and collaboration. Featuring repertoire made famous by iconic artists from Japan, Brazil, France, and Italy, the project offers a sophisticated and engaging live jazz experience.

About the Project

Maria Manna is a Canadian jazz vocalist, music director, and producer whose career spans more than four decades, rooted in the Great American Songbook, big band jazz, blues, and vocal storytelling traditions. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, she leads International Women of Jazz, an all-female ensemble celebrating jazz through cultural exchange and collaboration.

The Music

The repertoire features jazz standards and classic songs made famous by renowned artists in their home countries, performed in Japanese, Portuguese (Brazilian), French, and Italian. These culturally rooted interpretations honour original traditions while remaining firmly rooted in the jazz tradition.

Live Performance

International Women of Jazz is presented with an all-female jazz ensemble led by Maria Manna. Performances emphasize ensemble interplay, expressive phrasing, and musical storytelling.

Performance Sample – International Women of Jazz
Solo performance excerpt featuring selections from the program.
Festival performance will feature Maria Manna with an all-female jazz ensemble.

Artist Background

Maria has performed nationally and internationally, sharing stages with artists such as David Foster, Tommy Banks, Paul Horn, Dal Richards, and Alfie Zappacosta. Her recordings — Solo Amore, Between the Sheets, and With Love — reflect her expressive phrasing and narrative approach to jazz.

Awards & Recognition

• Inducted into the Alberta Music Archives (1993)
• Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award (2013)
• Governor General’s Sovereign Medal (2016)
• Juno Awards Judge (since 2021)

Current & Upcoming Projects

Maria has led numerous jazz and big band projects and is looking forward to presenting an all-female Natalie Cole Tribute Big Band on October 25, 2026, at Festival Place, Sherwood Park.

Contact Maria Manna
📧 info@mariamanna.ca
🌐 www.mariamanna.ca