London, Ontario – Sunfest is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated Concert Series for Winter/Spring 2025. Five vibrant performances this season, featuring acclaimed artists with extraordinary talent. Each concert will delight music lovers and set the stage for many more incredible shows to come. See all the exciting details, below.
Hilario Duran – Grammy award-winning Jazz.
Sunfest proudly presents Latin jazz sensation, Hilario Duran, with Roberto Occhipinti on Bass and Ahmed Mitchel on Drums. Juno and Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer, arranger, and musical director of remarkable virtuosity, Hilario Durán, is well recognized for his piano playing and composing skills. The Cuban-born musician grew up in Havana in a musical family, surrounded by various musical influences. Classically trained, Duran's art form describes all musical elements, and the originality and quality of his music have been influenced by the Cuban pianists, composers, and directors of the golden age of Cuban music.
Don't miss the chance to experience Hilario Duran Trio, for an unforgettable night of music!
● Date: Saturday, February 8th, 2025
● Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, Show starts at 8:00 PM
● Venue: Wolf Performance Hall, London, Ontario
● Tickets: Available online at sunfest.on.ca or at the door
AYSAY – The brilliant musical imagination of Denmark-based band, AYSAY.
AySay is a Danish-Turkish-Kurdish trio creating a captivating fusion of Nordic and Anatolian sounds. Fronted by Luna Ersahin, who brings her Turkish-Danish-Kurdish heritage into each performance, the band’s music is both soulful and energetic, combining traditional instruments like the saz and darbuka with contemporary pop and electronic elements. Their music is as much about
celebrating diversity as it is about bridging worlds, making AySay an exciting voice in the global music scene.
Their powerful performances and genre-crossing style have earned them critical acclaim, including four Danish Music Awards and their performances, described as both vibrant and profound, have captivated audiences at major European festivals such as Roskilde Festival, Eurosonic and Fusion Festival.
With vibrant live shows and a unique cultural tapestry, AySay redefines world music for a global audience.
See them perform live, in an intimate local setting!
● Date: Friday, February 28th, 2025
● Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, Show starts at 8:00 PM
● Venue: London Brewing Co-operative, London, Ontario
● Tickets: Available online at sunfest.on.ca or at the door
Newberry & Verch – The lighthearted folk stylings of Newberry & Verch, presented by Sunfest, in cooperation with Cuckoo’s Nest Folk Club
Joe Newberry comes from a family of singers and dancers. He took up the guitar and banjo as a boy and learned fiddle tunes from great Missouri fiddlers. April Verch grew up listening to her Dad’s country band play for dances in the Ottawa Valley. She started step dancing at age three and fiddling at age six. In a Newberry & Verch show, delighted audiences see first-hand the roots of their music, their love of performing, and their strong musical connection. Original songs join timeless classics. Stories warm the heart, and give audiences a chance to understand where the music comes from. Lively fiddle and banjo numbers combine with traditional dance steps to illustrate happy times when people made their own fun.
Tap your feet and lift your spirits, with Newberry & Verch!
● Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
● Time: Show starts at 7:30 PM
● Venue: Chaucer’s Pub, London, Ontario
● Tickets: Available online at sunfest.on.ca or at the door
Jane Bunnett: Ft .Magic Sax Quartet, Orlando “Maraca” Valle & Maqueque – Immerse yourself in the phenomenal jazz stylings of Jane Bunnett.
Five-time Juno Award winner and an internationally acclaimed musician, Bunnett is known for her creative integrity, improvisational daring, and courageous artistry. Her exploration of Afro-Cuban melodies expresses the universality of music, and her ability to embrace and showcase the rhythms and culture of Cuba has been ground-breaking. She has toured the world bringing her own special sound to numerous jazz festivals, displaying her versatility as a flutist, saxophone player, and pianist.
With Maqueque, Bunnett has created something new and phenomenal in the world of jazz. What started out five years ago as a project to record and mentor young brilliant Cuban female musicians, has become one of the top groups on the North American jazz scene. Since 2015, they have played in major jazz festivals like Newport and Monterey, been featured on NPR’s program Jazz Night in America, won a Juno Award for their first album, Jane Bunnett and Maqueque, were nominated for a Grammy Award for their second release, Oddara and were nominated for a Juno Award for their latest release, On Firm Ground/Tierra Firme. Most recently, were voted as one the top ten jazz groups by the prestigious DownBeat magazine’s critics poll.
Get your tickets and enjoy an evening of smooth jazz vibes!
● Date: Friday, March 7, 2025
● Time: Doors open at 7:00PM. Show starts at 8:00 PM
● Venue: Wolf Performance Hall, London, Ontario
● Tickets: Available online at sunfest.on.ca or at the door
Genticorum – Presented by Sunfest, in cooperation with Cuckoo's Nest Folk Club.
A renowned Quebec folk trio blending contemporary North American and European folk music with traditional Québécois tunes. Comprised of Yann Falquet, Pascal Gemme, and Nicholas Williams, the group’s energetic sound features fiddles, guitar, wooden flute, and percussion through rhythmic
foot tapping. Their dynamic performances have earned them Canadian Folk Music Awards, JUNO nominations, and international acclaim. Genticorum’s latest album, Au coeur de l'aube (2023), follows over 1,000 concerts across 15 countries, with a growing fan base in New England and California.
Get your Spring season going, with a lively night of folk!
● Date: Sunday, March 30th, 2025
● Time: Show starts at 7:30PM
● Venue: Chaucer’s Pub, London, Ontario
● Tickets: Available online at sunfest.on.ca or at the door
Sunfest’s Global Music Concert Series promises to be an unforgettable, showcasing some of the
world’s finest musical talent. With more exciting performances scheduled throughout 2025, this is
just the beginning of a season filled with world-class music. Stay tuned for future announcements
and get your tickets today to be part of these extraordinary musical
experiences. For more information, visit sunfest.on.ca.
