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Singer channels knowledge of Piaf into an authentic experience

Daponte captures the persona of French cabaraet singer perfectly and captivates her audiences
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Edie Daponte performs the music of Edith Piaf. (Photo submitted)

Sidney chanteuse Edie Daponte channels iconic French cabaret singer Edith Piaf in a new one-woman show at Pat’s House of Jazz in the Crofton Hotel’s Osborne Bay Pub on Sunday, Nov. 12.

Inspired by “a recent trip to Paris and meandering the city’s streets,” Daponte says Under Paris Skies — La Musique de Edith Piaf features many of Piaf’s most soulful and emotional numbers, including Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, La Vie en Rose and Hymne a L’Amour.

All are songs of “enduring popularity, interwoven with Edie’s engaging style of audience interaction and interpretation of the French lyrics,” Daponte’s publicist writes.

She’ll also be mixing in some songs and stories that fit alongside Piaf’s oeuvre.

“Channelling Piaf, with her rich timbre and captivating stage presence, Edie aims for a completely authentic experience and her band will help create the atmosphere of an intimate Parisian theatre,” her publicist writes.

Born in 1915, Piaf was a cabaret singer, songwriter and actress who became widely regarded as France’s national chanteuse as well as one of France’s greatest international stars.

Her music was often autobiographical and her specialty was chanson and torch ballads, particularly of love, loss and sorrow. She died in 1963.

Joining Daponte are long-time collaborators Karel Roessingh on piano and Joey Smith on bass, along with Aaron Watson “filling the important role of accordionist” and Jonathan Eng on drums.

A regular performer as house singer in Beacon Landing in her home town of Sidney, Daponte was nominated as Vocalist of the Year last year by Vancouver Island Music Awards.

Born in Quebec to a Portuguese family, Daponte says Piaf has always had a role in her life, listening to scratchy vinyl recordings through her early years. As an adult singer, Daponte has “witnessed again and again the strong emotional attachment Piaf’s songs have on an audience,” she says.

“In my heart, when I’m singing Edith Piaf’s songs, I go to a different place: it moves me deeply.”

The performance is part of the weekly Pat’s House of Jazz series, presented by the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society. It runs every Sunday from 2 p.m. at the Osborne Bay Pub, 1534 Joan Ave. in Crofton.

Admission is $20. For information, phone 250-324-2245 or visit http://osbornebaypub.com.