Veronica McNamee is a long way from home. Having travelled to Bolivia earlier this year for an extended visit, the Muskoka singer soon found herself caught up in the local jazz  scene.

Furthermore, she recently performed at the prestigious Bolivia Festijazz with some of that country’s jazz names.

Many people in the area will know McNamee from her appearances in several community dramas and musical productions. These include  Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical, Frumah Sarah in Fiddler on the Roof, Awe and Wonder in Beverly Hawksley’s Subplot, Diana in California Suite and Shelby in Steel Magnolias.

McNamee was born in Latin America to an opera singer mother and has been involved in the arts since the age of 5. Her first musical credit was in a production of Pinocchio. She also sang alto with the national choir in her country. Moving to  Toronto in 1987, McNamee became involved in Latin American folk groups, performing in benefit concerts at the Bamboo Club and Harbourfront.

McNamee has been a member of the Huntsville community since 1996. She is the mother of Alexandre and Genoveva Ramirez McNamee, both of whom attend Huntsville High School. Budding artists in their own right, they each had parts in Seussical. Alexandre was a member of The Whos and Geno played the part of Young Kangaroo.

McNamee travelled to Bolivia for a little R and R, she said. “I met up with some of my very good musician friends, wonderful musicians who have worked with such jazzists as Cristian Galvez, Paul Carr, Eric Byrd, Jan Akkerman, among other greats of modern jazz. After a few jam sessions, the organizer of Bolivia Festijazz invited me to participate. Lo and behold, he had spoken to the Canadian consulate, who was very excited to hear me sing.”  

Following a performance for the Canadian ambassador, McNamee was told her performance would be sponsored and that she would be Canada’s representative at the festival. “This is the first time Canada is present at this prestigious jazz festival that has been running since 2000,” said McNamee.

La Paz FestiJazz Internacional  took place from Sept. 9 to 19, with the participation of groups from Brazil, Chile, Spain, France, Holland, Japan Peru and Bolivia. McNamee  performed on the night of Sept. 9.

“The concert was a success. The theatre was full,” she said. “Our repertoire consisted of mostly original songs composed by guitarist Jorge Villanueva and by myself.  Each of the 11 songs have a unique style, from jazz/Bolivian folk/blues to jazz/funk.  We created a sound that will appeal to everyone, from hardcore classic jazzists to the more contemporary/fusion lovers.”

A CD and DVD were recorded on that same night, added McNamee. “The CD and DVD presentation will be in October thanks to the sponsorship of the Brazilian embassy.”

McNamee has also been invited to participate in a Brazil/Bolivia project titled Bolivian Poets.  

“This is a musical project that marries Brazilian and Bolivian musical styles. Previous successful projects by the same group were Vinicius de los Andes and Jobim de los Andes. I am working with renowned Brazilian guitarist Diego Figuereido and keyboardist Alexandre Piu.”

Recordings were set to begin last month.  

McNamee is also working on her own compositions (plus   a couple written by her daughter) with two producers.  

“We are aiming to have all the songs ready by November and start recording in December,” she said.

Sending greetings to all in Muskoka, she concluded. “I miss it a lot. See you in January.”