Dee Hernandez Celebrates the Legacy of ELLA FITZGERALD

Often cited as the ‘First Lady Of Song’, or referred to as the ‘Queen Of Jazz’, Ella Fitzgerald rewrote the book of jazz vocals throughout a storied career that spanned over 50 years. Her groundbreaking approach gave birth to the style of singing referred to as ‘scat’, which fearlessly bound together tone, rhythm, timing and improvisation.

This February, Atlantic Canada’s own jazz powerhouse Dee Hernandez will honour Fitzgerald’s treasured legacy with a heartfelt tribute tour during Black History Month 2026. Being a lifelong fan of the work of Fitzgerald, Hernandez and her combo of accomplished jazz veterans will channel the soul, swing, and spirit of one of her greatest musical idols.

“Ella has always been more than an inspiration to me, not only as a vocalist, but as a human being,” says Hernandez. “She carried erself with grace and integrity during one of the most difficult times in history, never compromising her values. Despite the racial tensions of her era, she refused to perform for segregated audiences and stood firmly for equality. To me, Ella represents the true power of music—not just to entertain, but to
transform and unite.”

Audiences can expect an evening of timeless standards, from the silky Misty, to the playful Mack the Knife and the show stopping How High the Moon, among many more classics from the Fitzgerald songbook brought vividly to life.

Tour dates:
Thursday, Feb 5, 2026 – Florenceville-Bristol (Second Wind Music Centre)
Friday, Feb 6, 2026 – Fredericton (Charlotte Street Arts Centre)
Saturday, Feb 7, 2026 – Saint John (Water Street Dinner Theatre)
Sunday, Feb 8, 2026 – St. Andrews (Huntsman Aquarium Theatre)
Friday, Feb 13, 2026 – Charlottetown (Trailside Music Hall)
Saturday, Feb 14, 2026 – Halifax (The Carleton)

Tickets on sale Tuesday, October 14th.
Links for all shows available at www.musicrunsthroughit.com

2025-10-13T21:05:33-03:00October 13, 2025|entertainment, fredericton, live music, News|

A seasonal favourite returns!

THE MRTI AGENCY PRESENTS : Kenny & Dolly’s Christmas Tribute starring Kylie Fox and Josh Bravener

After two years of sold-out shows and growing demand, The MRTI Agency is delighted to announce the return of Kenny & Dolly’s Christmas Tribute for the 2025 holiday season. This year’s production will bring the spirit of the season to audiences in Miramichi, Moncton, Fredericton, and Saint John, making the tours widest reach yet.

The 2025 tour kicks off Saturday, December 6 at the James M. Hill Theatre in Miramichi, with both a matinee and evening performance. From there, the holiday magic travels to Casino New Brunswick in Moncton (for the first time!) on Sunday, December 7, followed by a stop at the Fredericton Playhouse on Monday, December 8. The season wraps up in style at the stunning Imperial Theatre in Saint John on Saturday, December 20. All evening shows for this tour begin at 7:30 PM, with Miramichi offering both 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM performances.

Since its release in 1984, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s album Once Upon A Christmas has become one of the most cherished holiday soundtracks, reaching five-times platinum in Canada and filling homes with joy for generations. This faithful stage tribute captures that magic, starring Kylie Fox (Kylie Fox Band) and Josh Bravener (The Hypochondriacs), supported by a powerhouse band of New Brunswick’s finest musicians.

Adding even more sparkle, Mike Bravener returns as Elvis, performing his iconic holiday favourites to ensure no one has a “Blue Christmas.”

Tickets go on sale Friday, August 29, 2025. All ticket links will be found at musicrunsthroughit.com

The MRTI Agency gratefully acknowledges the support of this year’s sponsors—Ginger Agency, Hotchkiss Home Furnishings, and REMAX Elite / J&J Smart Move Inc—whose generosity helps bring this festive tradition to life across New Brunswick.

See you in December with bells on!

Ticket links:
Miramichi MATINEE – CLICK HERE
Miramichi EVENING – CLICK HERE
Moncton – CLICK HERE
Fredericton – CLICK HERE
Saint John – CLICK HERE

2025-10-13T21:08:32-03:00August 27, 2025|News|

10th Annual Living Roots Music Festival – June 4-8, 2025

Another year of Community, Inclusion, Artistry and Friends planned for this week in Fredericton as the 10th annual Living Roots Music Festival rolls out across 8 venues!

Tickets and passes can be purchased online – https://locarius.io/…/1976/living-roots-music-festival-10

2025-06-04T20:24:55-03:00June 4, 2025|entertainment, fredericton, live music, News|

Fredericton Summer Concert Series 2025

🌟 Fredericton Capital Region Tourism recently shared the official lineup for The City of Fredericton’s Free Summer Entertainment Series in Officers’ Square. 🌟

Tuesdays & Wednesdays: Live Music on the Officers’ Square Stage 🎶 Thursdays: Groove in the Garrison 💃

The MRTI Agency along with Big Fun Productions and Capital Arts were happy to partner with the City to curate the musical acts for the entertainment series. 💗 A well-crafted summer is waiting in the Fredericton Capital Region! See you soon! 👋

AND every weekend this summer the Historic Garrison District will host festivals, concerts and much more!
Check out their Calendar of Events page for more information 👉 www.frederictoncapitalregion.ca/see-do/festivals-events

 

2025-06-01T15:18:13-03:00June 1, 2025|entertainment, fredericton, live music, News|

The MRTI Agency – 2024 Year in Review

As we close out 2024, it’s the perfect time to reflect on an incredible year filled with music, connection, and creativity. From intimate performances to large-scale events, we’ve been privileged to bring live music to life across the region. This year, we presented 33 shows in partnership with 10 venues, including Charlotte Street Arts Centre, Dolan’s Pub, Gallery 78, and The Tipsy Muse Café. Seven of those shows took us beyond Fredericton, expanding our reach and connecting with new audiences. We were also proud to serve as a marketing partner for four fantastic events at The Playhouse, enhancing the live music experience in our community.

The year was full of memorable events and series that showcased the best of live music. In March, we attended the JUNOS in Halifax, a celebration of Canadian music and artistry. We worked with Fredericton Tourism and Capital Arts to curate Garrison Fest and the Officers’ Square Summer Music Series, bringing the beautifully transformed space into a vibrant hub of sound and community. July brought the annual River Jam Fredericton fundraiser, where 18 incredible local bands came together to raise the roof—and funds—for the community. Another standout moment was stage-managing the Highland Games concert, which featured unforgettable performances by The East Pointers and Morgan Toney. In addition, we delivered the Blues Series at Dolan’s Pub (Fredericton) and Water Street Dinner Theatre (Saint John), as well as the Fall Music Series at Charlotte Street Arts Centre, both of which were highlights for fans of live music.

Our work with artists continues to be a source of pride and inspiration. In January, we partnered with Josh Bravener & The Hypochondriacs for their live album recording and in September accompanied them to BreakOut West in Saskatoon where they had an official showcase. The Hello Crows also had a remarkable year, performing a collaborative show with Olympic Symphonium at The Playhouse in September and showcasing at Contact East in Charlottetown just to name a couple. Connor Fox celebrated the release of his album at Charlotte Street Arts Centre, and his performance at Harvest Music Festival was a huge success. We loved working with Paul Campbell on the release of his poignant song, “Song for Democracy 1984 Redux,” alongside a thoughtful interview hosted by Rob Pinnock. To round out the year, we produced a five-show run of Kenny & Dolly’s Christmas Tribute, bringing holiday cheer to audiences in Fredericton, Florenceville, Saint John, and Miramichi. 

  

Looking back, 2024 was a year of growth, collaboration, and unforgettable music. From local venues to national showcases, every moment reminded us of the power of live music to bring people together. None of this would have been possible without the incredible artists, venues, audiences, and partners who supported us along the way.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We’re excited to see what 2025 will bring!

With heartfelt gratitude,

 

2024-12-30T20:15:09-04:00December 30, 2024|fredericton, News|
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