Marienda

Marienda is the musical collaboration of vocalist/percussionist Joanna Majoko and guitarist/vocalist Jocelyn Gould. This combination of their musical influences into a duo reflects their love of groove music, R&B, jazz and world music.

Combining sophisticated harmonies, melodic guitar and african-influenced percussion, the result is a combination of originals and fresh takes on well-known standards.

Marienda officially began in the summer of 2015, although Joanna Majoko and Jocelyn Gould have been performing together for years in a variety of musical settings. They are both experienced freelance musicians in their own right, and their individual careers have seen them performing internationally with renowned jazz musicians and world music groups. Marienda is the direct result of the long musical history between Joanna and Jocelyn.

Outside of Marienda, Jocelyn Gould is a busy freelance guitarist. In addition to playing regularly with Winnipeg's top musicians, she has performed in venues across Canada and internationally with Rayannah, Sol James, Suzanne Kennelly, collage-a-trois, and the Chai Folk Ensemble.

Joanna has worked with numerous accomplished Canadian and American recording artists including Ismaila Alfa, Les Jupes, The Lytics, Curtis Nowosad, Steve Kirby’s Oceanic Jazz Orchestra, Ron Paley and Quincy Davis. In 2013, she was the feature vocalist with the Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra. While at the Banff Centre in the Summer of 2015, Joanna worked with jazz luminaries Vijay Iyer, Somi, & Becca Stevens, to name a few. She has also broken into the international music scene, having played at various clubs in Paris, performing with drummer & Blue Note recording artist, Otis Brown III.

Although the duo have been based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba until recently, Gould and Majoko have each embarked on their own adventures in order to pursue their musical careers. In late August, Gould relocated to the United States and in early October, Majoko made the move to Toronto, Canada - Boradening the geographical spectrum of Marienda.

"Although we love Winnipeg, being in new cities and new countries will help us grow as artists. We are very excited to bring our new EP to Winnipeg as well as our new homes, Toronto and Detroit!" - Jocelyn Gould

The duo are set to Release their Debut Single, "Before The Well Dries" on November 25th, 2016.

"We are so excited to be putting this music out into the world. As long time musical collaborators, this is our first release. We feel that this music represents everything that we have been through as young musicians." - Joanna Majoko