AMADOU KIENOU
JUNO Award-winning artist Sammy Jackson is an emerging Jamaican-Canadian singer-songwriter recognized for her distinct sound, fusing elements of Jazz, R&B and Pop. Growing up, she regularly found opportunities to perform and develop as a musician, which led her to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Performance specializing in Jazz Voice from the University of Toronto.
As a rising presence in Toronto and Niagara, Sammy has performed at notable venues and events such as the Glenn Gould Studio, TD Toronto and Niagara Jazz Festivals, The Rex Hotel Jazz and Blues Bar, Luminato, and TIFF Bell Lightbox to name a few. In addition to performing and leading her own band, Sammy has shared the stage with renowned musicians such as Barbra Lica, Robi Botos, Rich Brown, and Larnell Lewis.
ABOUT AWA NIAGARA FALLS FESTIVAL
Founded in 2011 by international artist Sonia Aimy, African Women Acting (AWA) is an incorporated non-profit organization. The organization aims to empower, promote and preserve African cultural arts of all modalities in Ontario. These include vocal and instrumental music, theatre, dance, visual arts, spoken word, story-telling and poetry.
In order to comprehensively achieve our goal, we ardently support female African artists and those of the diaspora and champion related issues. As we are a community of women, the agenda of addressing social activism for social issues such as sexism, discrimination, racism, homelessness, gender-based violence and mental health are some aimed at to eradicate. Through artistic expressions, AWA brings these issues to light and offers knowledge, support and solutions.
Although AWA prioritizes promoting female African artists, we strongly believe in inclusivity in the arts community. We encourage partnerships and collaborations with artists of all genders, ethnicities and religious or spiritual beliefs.