Become an ENCORE! member - get access to presales, ticket discounts, and more! JOIN NOW
Swing into the holidays with O Come All Ye Soulful. Led by acclaimed vocalist Dawn Pemberton and award-winning bassist Jodi Proznick, this concert infuses classic songs with soulful energy to get you into the groove of the season.
Joined by an all-star band, Pemberton and Proznick take the stage on December 15 as part of the Blue Circle Series, presented by the Sid Williams Theatre Society. Showcasing their musical prowess and unmistakable chemistry, the two put a funky twist on holiday favourites by legendary artists like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, and Otis Redding.
The inspiration for O Come All Ye Soulful traces back to the pandemic when the duo was invited to join forces for an online holiday concert. For Dawn, the show was, and still is, about more than just the music – it’s about bringing people together.
“I hope audiences feel joyful. I hope that they feel a lift,” she says. “The holidays can be a challenging time; not only is it busy, but if you’re grieving or experiencing loss, that can be highlighted during this season. We want people to feel uplifted and realize that coming together, supporting live music and connecting with others is a way to buoy yourself amid it all, the joy, sadness and general chaos of the holidays.”
During that virtual concert, the idea for a touring show took shape. Encouraged by positive audience feedback and support from an industry friend, a small set of holiday favorites has blossomed into a full concert tour that captures the season’s spirit.
Their collaboration is a blend of natural harmony and mutual admiration. Dawn, a Vancouver soul dynamo with a love for rhythm and groove, and Jodi, an accomplished bassist and bandleader with an impressive career in jazz, have shared the stage many times before. However, this project has brought a new dimension to their partnership.
“We’re both freelance musicians in town…your paths cross as you perform together at different gigs, different concerts, different projects. So we had worked together, but this was more of a collaboration,” notes Jodi.
Sharing a love for soul music and jazz, they built upon their initial 20-minute set to create an experience that’s both celebratory and reflective, with space for improvisation, laughter and heartfelt moments.
Pulling a band together was easy. “The band consists of my quartet, which is Tilden Webb (piano), Jesse Cahill (drums) and John Bentley (sax), and then a guest trumpet player (Vince Mai) who we’ve worked with over about two dozen years. We love playing together…we really enjoyed diving into some of the Motown repertoire,” Jodi shares.
Finalizing the set list proved more challenging because “there is just so much music that we all love,” says Dawn.
In addition to Motown, the performance weaves more secular songs like "What Christmas Means to Me" and "Christmas Time is Here" from A Charlie Brown Christmas with sacred pieces such as "Silent Night" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", offering a balance of classic carols and soul-infused rendition that will resonate with everyone.
For Dawn, revisiting these songs with such a talented group of musicians is a highlight of the show. “Audiences can expect to hear music they’ve known and loved,” she says. “There’s room for pleasant surprises and true emotional reactions,” noting the chance to share these powerful versions brings a fresh and heartfelt energy to each performance.
Jodi agrees, observing that the band’s connection with the audience becomes palpable throughout the evening. “Music is medicinal. It really does keep the ‘live’ in performing live,” she says. Some tunes spark joyful moments, while others carry a more poignant emotional weight, creating a memorable experience for listeners.
The music, of course, is only one part of the show’s magic. The camaraderie between the performers amplifies the energy on stage. As Dawn explains, Jodi’s positivity and drive are infectious. “She’s like this machine...always turning out great music, always turning out beautiful vibes and positivity,” Dawn says with admiration. “I always feel like, ‘Oh, I want to do my best.’” This mutual respect and shared passion make each performance even more special for the audience and musicians alike.
As the show continues to grow, the pair is excited about the future. Jodi looks forward to expanding the show beyond their current reach, possibly recording an album that includes both reimagined holiday classics and original compositions. “We hope to record at some point, hopefully an EP,” she says. In the meantime, Dawn will make an appearance on another venture of Jodi’s called The Ostara Project, which is a jazz supergroup featuring a rotating cast of award-winning Canadian women.
The upcoming months hold additional creative opportunities for Dawn, including plans for a jazz album and an Afrobeat-inspired project.
What began as a small online concert has blossomed into a full seasonal celebration, with Dawn and Jodi touring communities across British Columbia, spreading holiday cheer and uplifting audiences – a testament to their musical bond and shared desire to create moments of joy and connection.
To make your holiday season even brighter, get tickets now!
TICKETS & INFO