DeannaKnight

D’s indie-folk live offering crackles with heart and history, rooted in her long-standing friendship with Simon Kendall, legendary pianoman of Doug & the Slugs. Blending genre-fluid originals with inspired covers, the music is delivered with passion and presence—scaling effortlessly from an intimate duo to a full, groove-rich five-piece.

The core BC performance band features Simon Kendall alongside Eric Reed, Rob Becker, and Geoff Hicks, while Deanna frequently invites a rotating cast of exceptional guests to the stage, including Finn Manniche, James Meger, Anna Lumiere, Karen Graves, Michael Creber, and more—each performance a living, breathing collaboration.

With a founding role in the Canadian jam-band scene, D’s signature harmonies add that extra “sugar” to GD/BC’s expansive, improvisational sound. A high-energy, mind-melding tribute to the Grateful Dead, this Vancouver-based eight-piece has built a devoted and ever-growing fanbase, playing regularly throughout the region and delivering joyful, groove-driven celebrations of the Dead’s enduring spirit.

Featuring Gord Kushner, Brad Tidswell, Eric Stevenson, Jeffrey Kornblum, Tyler Gibson, Liam McDonald, and Ed Johnson, the band channels deep grooves, fearless jams, and the communal joy that define the Dead’s legacy.

A fixture of the Vancouver gypsy-jazz scene for over two decades, Deanna is celebrated as the sultry, dynamic chanteuse of The Hot Club of Mars. Her long-running partnership with world-renowned luthier and guitarist Michael Dunn helped bring the ensemble to prestigious jazz and folk festival stages. During this time, Deanna also booked and managed the band, releasing two albums while shaping a repertoire that spans swing, bossa, tango, waltz, contemporary gems, and originals. Now marking 23 years, this beloved 5–7 piece gypsy-swing and world-rhythms ensemble reunites for rare and special appearances, delighting summer audiences and longtime fans alike.