Donita Large is a singer-songwriter whose voice has been described as “powerful” and “charming.” This Cree performer is preparing to take the stage for the opening night of Edmonton’s Fringe Festival, and her goal—always—is to lift the hair on the back of your neck when you experience her singing and feel the stories in her songs.
Donita started out singing at funerals and weddings in her community of Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta. “I grew up with my grandparents—in Cree we say ‘kookum and mooshum’—and that was in Moose Mountain. My family on my mom’s side is very musical. I thought everybody’s family played music like we did. Then as I got older, I realized what a blessing it was, that we were surrounded by music.”
That led to performing for others. “In our family, we were often asked to support the community. If we were asked to support the community at funerals, for example. And weddings, too. We helped make special memories.”
Large moved to Edmonton for post-secondary education, and ended up staying. She was a founding member of Asani, an Indigenous women’s singing trio. They sang at Carnegie Hall in New York in 1998. Next came her work with Nîpisîy, which included some of the members of Asani, plus some new singers. After that Large began to focus on her solo work. “I started performing at festivals, and now I’ve just kept it going.”
Her latest ensemble is called Donita Large & The Small Band, and that’s the group that will be on stage with her at Edmonton’s Fringe Festival. Alan Tymofichuk and Anthony King are the guitarists. Mira Angela is on violin and vocals. Connor Miskiman plays standup bass. Joel Payne is the drummer. Donita Large is front and centre, on lead vocals.
For Large, music is all about connections, and those connections can be found in a variety of contexts. She notes, “We have a very strong Indigenous community in Edmonton. This city has the second largest population of Indigenous people in Canada. In that, there are so many places where you can make connections. You can find culture, support, artistry. There are many spaces to connect and reclaim culture.”
As Large prepares to release her album, The Ancestors, in October, she acknowledges the connections she has with the Edmonton music community, too.
“There are so many amazing bands here, so much good music,” says Large. “There isn’t a night that you can’t find live music. The musicians are really supportive of each other. It has become a really strong community for me. I go to support others, but I also feel that support.”
Large also mentions CKUA as playing a key role in that ecosystem of support. “I love listening to CKUA, and I really appreciate all the support that you have for artists.”
Donita Large & The Small Band play at the opening ceremonies of Edmonton’s Fringe Festival on Thursday, August 14 at 7pm in ATB Park on the Fringe site. Find info here
