Photos: Serena Ryder Brings Harmony To Toronto

Photos & Words by: Bruce Emberley –

Juno Award winner and Toronto native Serena Ryder epitomized the phrase – good on disc, great live – and she took it to a whole new level last night at The Danforth Music Hall.

Currently on tour in support of her sixth studio album, Harmony, her set featured several songs from the new album, such as “Fall” and “Mary Go Round,” but it still kept a nice mix of favourites from her back catalogue like “All For Love” and “Little Bit of Red,” which had the audience singing along enthusiastically.

Accompanied by her band that consists of keyboardist Hill Kourkoutis, bassist Brian Kobayakawa and drummer Sekou Lumumba, Ryder once again proved that she is one of the most promising Canadian artists right now.

Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Sekou Lumumba performing with Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Hill Kourkoutis performing with Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Brian Kobayakawa performing with Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Brian Kobayakawa performing with Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)

Serena Ryder in Toronto. (Photo: Bruce Emberley/Aesthetic Magazine Toronto)