MGAM INC

Change powered by music

Marilyn Gilbert Artists Management embraces change with a roster of musicians whose work challenges all boundaries and whose sparkling musicianship gives them broad appeal. We partner with artists who reach beyond the stage and who create community. We are dedicated to working closely with presenters to develop programmes that transcend the concert hall and foster a better understanding and openness between people.

Marilyn Gilbert · 3 weeks ago
@MGAMInc
Canadian offerings for you!✨ - https://t.co/IZg8QgFz7S
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This will be our reply to violence – to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.
Leonard Bernstein

Photo Josep Molina Secall / Unsplash

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A world of music

A world of music

Amai Kuda

Amai Kuda et Les Bois

The sound of Amai Kuda et Les Bois has been described by NOW Magazine as a “tantalizing Afro-soul combo of folk, roots, desert blues and African continental music.”

afro-soul ontario

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Basset, under trees

Basset

With their cinematic ballads and blues, wearing their shoes from the side of the road, Basset is full of timeless heart. Toronto-based acoustic songwriters Yasmine Shelton and Sam Clark will take you from a beekeeper’s fields to the haunted basement of a second-hand store, in a style that is all their own. With comparisons to […]

blues fiddle folk ontario

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Ruben “Beny” Esguerra

Beny Esguerra

“New Tradition was responsible for the highest-energy showcase of Mundial Montreal. The band was furiously polyrhythmic and super tight. You’ve got to experience Beny’s gaita (flute) riding overtop of Planet Rock beats to believe it. This band won’t fail to make you dance your ass off while immersing you in the richness of Afro-Colombian heritage” David […]

Columbia ontario

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Beyond the Pale, photo by Avital Zemer

Beyond the Pale

Inspired by Klezmer and Balkan styles but influenced by everything from jazz and classical music to bluegrass, newgrass and reggae, Beyond the Pale’s music traverses a vast and exotic musical landscape, bound by no particular idiom and shaped by many. Their stellar musicianship, meticulous dynamics, adventurous compositions, and inventive arrangements of traditional material make them one of Canada’s most innovative acoustic ensembles. Though individual virtuosity abounds within the group, the collective sound always takes precedence, conveying the deep and generous bonds of creativity that unite these longtime collaborators.

Balkan Jewish klezmer ontario

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David Berger and Joyce Rosenzweig

David Berger and Joyce Rosenzweig

David Berger and Joyce Rosenzweig present Art Songs by Jewish American refugee composers. These songs deserve to be heard and to take their rightful place in the canon of American Art Song. They represent a vital part of the story of American-Jewish music. They give testimony to the spirit and creativity of the refugee composers who crafted them.

Jewish USA

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Dumai Dunai, photo by Carlos Garate

Dumai Dunai

Dumai Dunai is a dub-punk Slavic folk band from Montreal formed in 2021. Rooted in the folk singing traditions of singer Natalia Telentso’s homeland of Ukraine and melodies inspired by Juno-nominated bandleader Eli Camilo’s extensive adventures in the lands of the Danube, the band powers these influences with deep dubbed-out grooves and the energy of punk rock. Featuring […]

folk Quebec Ukraine

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George Gao, 2015

George Gao

Gemini-award nominated Canadian musician George Gao is a world-renowned erhu performer and composer. He is also a producer to many global musicians and artists. George Gao is known for his superior musicianship and for being one of the most innovative and representative fiddlers of his generation.

chinese erhu ontario

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Joaquin Diaz

Joaquin Diaz

Master of dominican merengue Joaquin Diaz’s repertoire is a mixture of traditional and original tunes characterized by exhilarating, syncopated rhythms. His audiences are introduced to completely different aspect of the diatonic accordion, accompanied by infectious vocals. A charming and electrifying performer. Joaquin Diaz is one of the best of a new breed of traditional merengue artist.

accordion dominican Latin merengue

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John Orpheus

John Orpheus

Born and raised in South-Central Trinidad, John Orpheus is a multi-cultural artist and published author. In 2021, he had his memoir SAGA BOY published by Penguin Random House in Canada and Milkweed Editions in the US. With the book launched, John decided to return to music and release a companion album entitled SAGA KING. Both the book and the album are based on the same themes: searching for home, family, love and a fly coat to wear when you get there!

Afrobeat hip-hop

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Lengaïa Salsa Brava

Lengaïa Salsa Brava

Lengaïa Salsa Brava is an award-winning Montreal-based eleven-piece orchestra created in 2012 by Latin and Guyanese trombone player Giany-Frantz Huyghues-Despointes. Its format of three trombones and a baritone saxophone gives it a uniquely and powerful sonic colour.

Latin orchestra Quebec salsa

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Medusa

A unique all women chamber folk quartet that brings you traditional music from around the world, with instruments to match! Medusa intertwine the sounds of Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, Eastern European, and Celtic music to create something entirely new.

celtic Middle Eastern quartet scandinavian

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OKAN

OKAN

Blending tradition Cuban music, jazz, and contemporary Afro-Cuban sounds, OKAN embraces every culture and welcomes it as its own. In the religion of santería, “okan” means “soul.” This is embodied in the great sophistication of their music – a look to the history of Cuban music with a modern and fresh touch; the evolution of Cuban music outside of Cuba.

Afro cuban cuban Latin ontario

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Okavango African Orchestra Photo-credit Abdulmagid Alfrgany Alglid

Okavango African Orchestra

Okavango African Orchestra brings together the traditional music and instruments of several major African cultures that historically have had little or no interaction. The musicians of Okavango have created a common meeting place for these disparate cultures, and a new musical language that harmonizes their different tuning systems, rhythms, and timbres. The musicians and instruments of Okavango represent a continuum of traditions and cultures from time immemorial to the present day.

African ontario

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Oktopus

Oktopus

“A beautifully performed program, strong group cohesion, verve, a deep understanding of gypsy, Balkan and Ashkenazi Jewish music, with classical flair and an almost jazz attitude to play.” Alain Brunet, La Presse 15 juillet 2015 “I’ve had a lot a really great acts this summer, but they definitely are among the top 5 (top 3?) shows.” J. […]

Balkan jazz Jewish klezmer Quebec

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Polky

Created by courageous Polish ladies and fronted by singer Ewelina Ferenc, dancer Ala Stasiuk and multi instrumentalist Marta Solek, Toronto’s own Polky (meaning “Polish women”) came together through a shared passion for the enigmatic and upbeat style of Eastern European music. By adding a uniquely Canadian, multicultural flavour, Polky brings their own original sound and lyrics to Eastern European traditional forms.

folk ontario Polish

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Queen Kong

“Seriously, how can you not pay attention to a futuristic klezmer band that has it’s grooves informed by Hasidic new wave? … Wildly world beat, it’s a sure fire gasser for anyone that likes grooves from elsewhere that march to their own beat.” Chris Spector, Midwest Record To be thrown “into the fray” is to enter […]

folk jazz Jewish klezmer ontario Yiddish

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Sergiu Popa

Sergiu Popa

Sergiu was born in 1981 in Chisinau, Moldova. He completed his studies at Stefan Neaga Music College as well as the Conservatory of Moldova before emigrating to Canada in 2002. Since a young age, he studied traditional folk and Roma (Gypsy) styles with his father, Ion Popa, himself a well-recognized accordionist in Moldova. Over many […]

accordion gypsy Quebec

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Shura Lipovsky

Shura Lipovsky

Shura Lipovsky is one of the world’s most renowned singers of Yiddish and Jewish songs. Her work focuses on the artistic expression of Yiddish culture, using a blend of her various studies to foster intercultural dialogue.

klezmer Yiddish

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Socalled (Josh Dolgin)

Josh “Socalled” Dolgin is a pianist, accordionist, producer, journalist, photographer, filmmaker, magician, cartoonist and puppet maker based in Montreal, Quebec. With six solo albums to his name, he has performed all over the world for more than 10 years, and his list of collaborators knows no generational, social, cultural nor religious boundaries. Aside from countless festivals and venues around the world, Socalled has performed at Carnegie Hall (twice!), the Olympia in Paris, the Apollo theatre in Harlem and the Arsht centre in Miami.

Jewish klezmer Quebec Yiddish

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The Socalled Band

Josh “Socalled” Dolgin is a pianist, accordionist, producer, journalist, photographer, filmmaker, magician, cartoonist and puppet maker based in Montreal, Quebec. He has lectured and has led master classes in music festivals around the world, from Moscow to Paris, from London to LA, and from Krakow to San Francisco, and has performed on every continent. With […]

Jewish klezmer Quebec Yiddish

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Tio Chorinho

Toronto’s Tio Chorinho is the first ensemble in Canada dedicated to performing Brazilian Choro music. Choro is the original Brazilian soul music, combining popular and classical European styles with Afro-Brazilian influences. It is the foundation of many modern Brazilian music styles, and is often described as “the New Orleans jazz of Brazil.” Exciting, energetic, soulful, intimate, nostalgic and virtuosic, choro is an infectious popular style whose universal appeal belies its musical complexity.

brazilian choro ontario

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Tio Chiorinho with Flavia Nascimento

Tio Chorinho with Flavia Nascimento

Flávia Nascimento joins Tio Chorinho, Canada’s first ensemble dedicated to performing Brazilian choro music. Flávia is a favourite at street parties, popular events, major festivals and in concert halls. Whenever there is a need to make a show burst with excitement, it is time to call Flávia. Best known for her expertise in Northeastern Brazilian styles such as forró and maracatù, this collaboration with Canada’s leading choro ensembles allows listeners to discover Flávia in a completely different repertoire.

brazilian choro ontario

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Trio Balkan Strings

Trio Balkan Strings

“Trio Balkan Strings dedication to the music of the Balkans and central Europe is inspiring. The guitar interpretations of this music are wonderful. Really good” John McLaughlin ”Once you’ve hitched this magic carpet ride and left your mind and shoes on the floor where they belong, you enter a lyrical, playful yet very smart world […]

Balkan guitar Serbia

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Wesli

Wesli’s musical journey has gone from stringing up an oil can with nylon fishing string to winning a JUNO for World Music Album of the Year. Born Wesley Louissaint in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, he has grown into his role as a prolific songwriter, guitarist, and producer. Uniting a large cross-section of Montreal talent, his music links Haitian voudou and rara with reggae, Afrobeat and hip-hop – guest spots on his albums include the likes of Tiken Jah Fakoly, Mes Aïeux and Radio Radio.

Afrobeat Haitian hip-hop Quebec

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Legacy artists

Legacy artists

Rivka Golani

Rivka Golani

Rivka Golani is recognized as one of the outstanding violists of modern times. Her contributions to the advancement of viola technique have given her a place in the history of the instrument and have been a source of inspiration not only to other players but also to the many composers who have been inspired by her mastery. More than 350 works have so far been composed for Rivka, including over 80 concertos: a record matched by no other violist in history.

viola

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Photo © James Wainscoat / Unsplash

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Tikun Olam

Make the world a better place

Marilyn Gilbert, Director

Marilyn Gilbert (she/her) has been representing classical, jazz and global artists for over forty years. Originally a violinist who performed at Carnegie Hall, Marilyn is now the director of MGAM with an artist roster that challenges boundaries. MGAM partners with artists who foster community beyond the stage, developing programs that transcend the concert hall. MGAM’s mandate represents Marilyn’s lifelong passion for sharing music and her commitment to progressive causes.

Ewelina Ferenc, Booking Specialist

Ewelina Ferenc (she/her) is a new addition to MGAM. She is a singer born and raised in Katowice, Poland. She studied Communications and Ethnomusicology, focusing mostly on Polish traditional and world music. She performs regularly with Polky and BLISK, promoting Polish and Eastern European music to Canadian audiences. She recently graduated from Arts Administration and Cultural Management program at Humber College and joined MGAM.