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LIVE MUSIC
Breath (SPANISH) by Dee Hernandez -Music New Brunswick Showcase
Bio
Dee Hernandez is a Cuban-Canadian Afro-Cuban Jazz vocalist, singer, songwriter, and performer whose music radiates with the heartbeat of her heritage and the soul of contemporary artistry. Based in Atlantic Canada, she blends Afro-Cuban jazz, soul, R&B, and modern fusion into a sound that is unmistakably her own.
Born and raised in the rural heart of Havana, Dee’s journey from Cuba to Canada is a story of courage, resilience, and boundless creativity. At just 16 years old, she defected during an East Coast tour, finding not just a new home but a new voice — one that bridges cultures, generations, and musical traditions.
Her music tells stories of love, transformation, and spiritual depth, delivered with a magnetic voice often described as bright, bold, and resonant like a trumpet, with a metallic edge.
Dee moves effortlessly between velvety jazz tones, sultry soul, infectious grooves, and Afro-Latin rhythms — always leaving space for improvisation, a hallmark of her artistry that makes every performance unique and alive.
Dee’s sound is a fluid fusion of past and present, where Afro-Cuban rhythms meet classic jazz phrasing, vintage soul grooves, and contemporary pop sensibilities. Her music brings the timeless spirit of Cuban tradition into dialogue with modern expression from around the world
Celebrated for her electrifying live performances, Dee has been a multiple-year nominee at the East Coast Music Awards (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026) and a multi-award nominee at the Music New Brunswick Awards across several categories recognizing her work in Global/World Music, R&B/Soul, and Jazz-influenced recordings. This consistent recognition highlights her as one of Atlantic Canada’s most distinctive and evolving voices.
Her songs have been featured in major screen projects, including the TIFF-featured film Do I Know You from Somewhere and the Bell TV series Home on the Bay (Spring 2026), further expanding her reach beyond the stage.
A recent artistic milestone in Dee’s journey is her Ella Fitzgerald Tribute project. This work is more than homage — it reflects Dee’s deep relationship with jazz tradition, vocal storytelling, and improvisation.
Through celebrating Ella’s legacy, Dee draws a clear line between classic jazz phrasing and her own Afro-Cuban and soul-infused approach, showing how these traditions live and breathe inside her original music.
The tribute has become an extension of her artistic identity, connecting history, culture, and contemporary expression.
Dee has lit up stages across Canada at Canadian Music Week, Contact East, Come Together Conference, and many other showcases and festivals. Her performances blend infectious rhythm, masterful vocals, and heartfelt storytelling, creating shows that are both intimate and explosive — true celebrations of culture, resilience, and the power of music.
In September 2026, Dee will release her debut LP, a project that comes full circle, tracing her evolution from the moment she arrived in Canada to the artist she is today. The album reflects her journey of resilience, love, and cultural preservation through her distinct fusion of Cuban roots and modern soul.
With every note she sings, Dee Hernandez invites listeners on a journey of connection, spirit, and undeniable groove.
