The Manor House Concert Series: Elena Maque

Vocalist and saxophonist Elena Maque was born in St. Petersburg, Russia.

A university-trained musician, Maque has spent years honing her craft and wowing audiences throughout Russia, Europe, and the United States. Her ability to cross-pollinate jazz with funk and pop has been a magnet for fans globally. As a result, it is not unusual to find a guest DJ scratching beats as Maque spices an up-tempo swing tune with sophistication while honoring the jazz vernacular in her execution.

Maque was already an established musician upon graduating from Mussorgsky College of Music in St. Petersburg, Russia. For a few years, she toured Russia and Europe with jazz Big Band led by Gennady Golshtein, “Saxophones of St. Petersburg.” This foundation gave her a strong focal point of style that illuminates her writing and informs her playing.

After moving to the U.S., Maque began collaborating with various musicians and bands throughout Seattle. She formed the Elena Maque Quartet, garnering enthusiastic fans and ample work in the Northwest. In 2017, Elena and D’Vonne Lewis started SoulCanvas, – an art project that featured and promoted talented artists in the Northwest. Their desire was to create a platform where various musicians, dancers, artists, poets could present one of their original pieces in the context of SoulCanvas vision and style. Every few months, SoulCanvas puts up social events that feature Seattle’s finest performers and gather all kinds of art lovers to celebrate beauty and creativity. This same boundless creativity can be found in her transformative music.