Tena Palmer | Bands from Canada on tour in Europe

Canadian singer, Tena Palmer is an improviser, composer and experimental musician presently living in Ottawa, Canada.

Her musical training includes a B.Mus. in jazz performance (voice), from St. Francis Xavier University, N.S., Canada, where she also earned a diploma in jazz performance on baritone saxophone & flute.

Tena is best known in Canada for her work with the Celtic Jazz quartet, Chelsea Bridge. As a member of the quartet, she recorded and toured extensively, playing New York City's Blue Note, toured in Scandinavia and the U.S.

From 1989 to 1996 Tena was an active contributor to the vibrant Montreal jazz scene. While not touring with Chelsea Bridge, she regularly played with its most distinguished denizens. Since "jumping the Bridge", Tena has released two CDs in Canada: with guitarist, Justin Haynes: the critically acclaimed... not drowning, waving ..., listed on the top ten list of leading jazz critics for 1996 and in 1997, she was featured on The Blue Wall with the Dave Parker Trio.

In 1996 Tena was invited to teach vocal jazz at Tónlistarskóli F.Í.H. in Reykjavík, Iceland; the beginning of a period of significant personal and artistic growth.

In Reykjavik, Tena was profoundly influenced by not only the new music, but, also by delving deeply into various musical styles of on-going groups which she led or co-led: (Traditional Celtic, Brazilian (in Portuguese), an electronic duo with percussionist, Matthias Hemstock, jazz, bluegrass and her original group, Crucible ). While based in Reykjavik, Tena toured Scandinavia several times.

During a six-month stay in Holland, and since moving to Canada in May, 2003, Tena continues writing and performing with various Canadian and European ensembles. Her main focus currently being an acoustic trio with guitarist/pedal steel player, Dan Artuso and double bassist, John Geggie.

Tena Palmer jazz and folk

Tena Palmer
jazz and folk