Enjoy JUNO Award winner Crystal Shawanda's searing, intimate performance in the Engineered Air Theatre at Arts Commons on May 28, 2022, a highlight of the 2021-22 season of Arts Commons Presents.
Hanging out in her basement on Wikwemikong reserve in Ontario, Crystal Shawanda grew up on the soulful sounds of Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Etta James. The music spoke to her soul, a healing balm in an otherwise tumultuous world. And she embraced it with arms wide open, recording her first album at 13 years old. And by 16, she was living in Nashville to pursue her dream of singing professionally and she hasn’t looked back since.
Shawanda has defined her gritty sound with a Canadian North-Meets-American South sensibility, capturing the resilience of the human spirit in her heart-wrenching lyrics and deep, grounded vocals. Her latest album, Church House Blues, was lauded by Blues Blast magazine, "Rarely does an album of any sort have all hits and no misses, but Shawanda’s latest pitches a perfect ten out of ten." Meanwhile, Rock and Blues Muse magazine said, "This is one fiery, exhilarating singer who digs deep."