single artist

JER

The multicultural Toronto-based collective with roots in Canadian, Japanese, Latin and Middle Eastern heritages create a powerhouse, eclectic sound that dismantles preconceived ideologies of traditional Brazilian music. Kerry Clarke, Artistic Director, Calgary Folkfest

Fusing psychedelic rock, dub and afrobeat grooves with northeast Brazilian rhythms and Tropicalia influences from the classic 70s era, Brazilian Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jerusa Leão, aka JER, creates an eclectic sound that challenges preconceived notions of what constitutes traditional Brazilian music.

Born in Conceição do Coité in Northeastern Brazil. JER has performed at the Lulaworld, MIxto Toronto Jazz and Calgary Folk festivals and is working on her first full length album, following-up on her single, ‘Broken’ released on the Lulaworld label in December 2022.

Backed by May Saxophone, Andrew Pacheco on bass, João Leão on keys and Dhaivat Jani on drums, JER transcends musical boundaries drawing on the players’ roots in Canadian, Japanese, Brazilian and Indian cultures.