'She touches her guitar and Makes music, and the voice reaches out touches your soul with a richness and a magic that is unmistakable Mortifee … an artist and perfectionist whose honesty and humour is as mush a part of her as her natural Beauty. (Leisure Magazine)
'First of all, there is the marvellous instrument of her voice. Secondly, and most important of all, she has the ability to communicate feelings and emotions that go far beyond anything as mundane as words and a good turn of phrase. Ann Moritfee sings with her entire self.' (Vancouver Province)
She can sing, and her voice can reach almost any note. She can teach her listeners words they won't forget. She can do almost anything on the album, but be bad.' (Saskatoon Star-Phoenix)
'There really is no limit to the accolades that can be dealt about her singing. You can sit in awe of her prowess in this area, but just imagine how other performers might feel. If they do not writhe with tan inkling of envy, they may feel downright disheartened. Mortifee can sing that well.' (Kingston Whig-Standard)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ANN MORTIFEE (Narrator) is a singer and songwriter from Canada. Born in South Africa, Ms. Mortifee spent her first five years on a sugar cane farm before moving to Canada as a young girl. She began singing with the legendary Josh White when she was a teenager in Vancouver, BC. Soon thereafter, she auditioned for a singer in George Ryga’s play, “The Ecstasy of Rita Joe,†and it was then she recognized the power of the arts to include social awareness, a commitment deepened through her work with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet on writing the ballet score of that play which premiered at the National Arts Center in Ottawa
Ms. Mortifee is known as one of the most unique and outstanding performers in Canada. Known worldwide for her passionate performance, she has released 10 CDs: on her own Jabula Record label. They include 'The Ecstasy of Rita Joe,' “Baptism', 'Journey to Kairos', Jacques Brel Lives', 'Reflections on Crooked Walking', 'Born to Live', 'Bright Encounter', 'Serenade at the Doorway', 'Healing Journey' and 'Into the Heart of the Sangoma'
She has written several ballets including 'A yesterday's Day' (composed for Les Grandes Ballet Canadiens), 'The Grey Goose of Silence' (composed for the North Carolina Dance Theatre), and 'Klee Wyck, A Ballet for Emily' based on the life and work of Canadian artist Emily Crarr. She has written film scores and several One Woman Shows including the international award-winning 'Journey to Kairos.' She has appeared in concert with artists such as Harry Belafonte, John Denver, Bobby McFerrin, Hagoode Hardy, Ramsey Lewis, Michele LeGrandand and Paul Horn, and has performed an evening of her own music with all the major symphony orchestras across Canada.
Her musicals include a family musical called 'Reflections on Crooked Walking', 'Jacque and Madly,' 'The Arabian Knight' (based on her music and poetry), two South African musicals entitled 'When he Rains Come' and 'Into the Heart of the Sangoma'. She has composed a children's opera commissioned by the Canadian Opera Company called 'A Rose is a Rose'.
She has received the prestigious honor of the 'Order of Canada' and the 'YWCA Woman of Distinction Award' for her outstanding contribution to the healing and performing arts in Canada.
In May 19989, she was appointed by Culture Minister Ian Waddell as chairperson of the 15-member BC Arts Council, a position she held for two years. In addition, she co-founded with her brother Dr. Peter Mortifee 'The Somerset Foundation' which is devoted to exploring ways of creating a more loving and healthy world through supporting social change by the use of strategic philanthropy. She co-founded 'The Trust for Sustainable Forestry', which advocates sustainable eco-system based forestry as means of conserving forest habitat, reinvigorating local economies, creating Eco-Villages for affordable land ownership. She has supported the work of Palliative Care and Hospice. Her CD, 'Serenade at the Doorway' created in collaboration with psychologist David Feinstein (author of 'Rituals for Living and Dying') has been used in Palliative Care situations and by therapists, nurses, doctors, psychologists, social workers and hospice volunteers. Over the years, she has been actively involved in Amnesty International, Foster Parent's Plan,UNICEF, Greenpeace, Variety Club Telethon, Telemiracle, Children’s Hospital, International Peace Day, among others.
Source Credited: Rosemary Phillips www.quillsandnotes.com
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