About...
(BASSIST / PRODUCER / COMPOSER)
MJ DANDENEAU is a Metis woman of French and Anishinaabe descent from the Red River Nation. Her mother comes from the Red River Valley (Ile de la Cross Nation) and her father comes from Penetanguishene, Treaty 61. She is an accomplished bassist, director and producer. Through her business, MJ Entertainment Canada Inc, she has worked and toured with various artists worldwide for the past 16 years. Nationally recognized with recording awards such as JUNO, WCMA, CFM she has recently been awarded the Indigenous Full Circle Award, one of the Manitoba Arts Council prestige prizes in the Arts.
MJ’s extensive music career includes booking agent for Europe and Australia, artistic & musical director for various bands and artist, sound designer and composer for various theatre productions and films. She has assisted artists in music career development and serves as a connecting point into the international touring arena. MJ, continues to compose for theater companies such as Royal MTC, MTYP, Prairie Theatre Exchange, Theatre for young people, Sarasvati Theatre and Cercle Molière. MJ’s key focus and passion are supporting and empowering indigenous artists in successfully navigating the national and international market.
Her involvement in the music industry stretches into numerous aspects of the business. Her extensive knowledge has been sought out and she has been requested to sit on various juries and consultation committees for the Canada Art Council, FACTOR, Manitoba Art Council, Winnipeg Art Council, OCFF, WCMA & JUNO Awards. As well as being an industry board member for Aboriginal Music Manitoba, Manitoba Indigenous advisory board, Manitoba Chamber Orchestra Committee, American Federation of Musicians and Conseil Elzéar-Goulet.
MJ’s mission is not only to be a teacher in these fields but most importantly a mentor, instilling values of patience, respect, integrity and kindness. These values have been passed on from her elders and bring back so young people can ultimately adapt these teachings in their everyday lives.
Toured, played on stage with:
| Andy Stochansky | Don Amero | Sierra Noble | |
| Ash Grunwald | Donovan Frankenreiter | Sarah MacDougall | |
| Ben Harper | Doug Cox | Shane Phillips | |
| Blue King Brown | Dirk Powell | Tim O’Brian | |
| Blue Shaddy | Gomez | The Good Lovelies | |
| Bondi Cigars | Kathleen Edwards | The Roots Band | |
| Brandi | Leela Gilday | The Violent Femmes | |
| Buffy Saint-Marie | Lynne Hanson | The Wyrd Sisters | |
| Burnt Project 1 | Nine Mile | Toby | |
| Celeigh Cardinal | Oh My Darling | Tribe of One | |
| Corrine West | Pacific Curls | Vent du Nord | |
| Crystal Shawanda | Pete Murray | Wendy McNeil | |
| Digging Roots | Rose Cousins | Xavier Rudd | |
| …just to name a few |
Awards:
| 2019 | Indigenous Full Circle Award : Manitoba Art Council: recognizes the achievements of a professional indigenous artist |
| 2015 | Indie Music Award Singer of the Year with album River of Sand- Lynne Hanson. |
| 2015 | Canadian Folk Music Award Nominee for best Singer of the Year with album Grand Cayon- Sarah Macdougall. |
| 2015 | Western Canadian Award for best Roots Album of the year with artist Sarah Macdougall. |
| 2014 | Juno Nominee for best Aboriginal Album of the year with Amanda Rheaume |
| 2014 | Western Canadian Award Nominee for best Aboriginal Album of the year with Leonard Sumner |
| 2013 | Juno Nominee for best Aboriginal Album of the year with group Burnt Project 1. |
| 2013 | Western Canadian Award Nominee for best Francophone Album of the year with group Oh My Darling. |
| 2013 | Western Canadian Award Nominee for best Aboriginal Album of the year with group Burnt Project 1. |
| 2012 | Indian Summer Music Award for best Best Country Song of the year with Don Amero, for the Album Long Way Home. |
| 2012 | Western Canadian Award Nominee for best Roots Album of the year with group Oh My Darling. |
| 2011 | Native American Music Award for best Best Folk Recording of the year with Don Amero, for the Album Long Way Home. |
| 2011 | Western Canadian Award Nominee for best Aboriginal Album of the year with Don Amero, for the Album Long Way Home. |
| 2010 | Juno Award for best Aboriginal Recording of the year with group Burnt Project 1. |
| 2010 | Western Canadian Award Nominee for best Album Design with group Oh My Darling. |
| 2009 | Awarded On The Rise Award from the Winnipeg Art Council: recognizes the demonstrated promise of an emerging professional artist |
| 2009 | Western Canadian Award Nominee for Best Roots Album with group Oh My Darling. |
| 2009 | Chosen to be on the cover of Bass Girl International magazine, representing Canada. |
| 2005 | National Office of Canadian film nominated “Elle”, a short film produced, directed and created by MJ Dandeneau for the finalist festival Silence, On Court; organized by the CBC and the National Office of Canadian film. The film was then shown throughout Canada as well as in Winnipeg at the Cinémental Theatre. |
| 2003 | Western Canadian Award for best Francophone Album of the year with Self title album, “Elle”. |
| 2002 | Awarded best francophone recording at the Prairie Music Awards for Le Studio in the album for the band Belle Folie, entitle Meduse. |
Instruments:
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Gear/Equipment:
MJ is a proud supporter of Mark Bass Amps, Ampeg Amps, Chadwick folding Bass, BXS Allegro Bass, Elrick Bass, D’Addario strings, Boss pedals, PorchBoard.
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