RUSTY & MAJA

Reviews

“Joy jumps off the stage” !

“I had the good fortune of catching Rusty and Maja in Mindemoya, Manitoulin last July. Maja is ethereal, funky, and graceful. She sings with an otherworldly vibrato, endless heart, and playful sassiness. Rusty is an accomplished musician who plays with ease, as though his guitar is merely an extension of himself. They performed with a top-notch recorded back-up band of other consummate professionals. It was a joyful night of great music and good vibes in a beautiful garden.” – Laurie

“Many, many years ago — time goes by so fast that it’s hard to recall specific dates — the hottest voice in town was that of Maja Bannerman. Quirky, irrepressible, constantly surprising — and the only artist you could possibly compare her to was Mary Margaret O’Hara. On Saturday afternoon — one of the last sunny days this year, alas — she and her partner Rusty Mccarthy launched a brand new album at a matinee performance at the Monarch in Toronto. This is to say that she is as beautiful as she was, she sings as brilliantly, and her theatrical, witty persona remains the same. What a wonderful afternoon, what a joyful record! She is an artist not to be missed…” – Richard Flohil

“How do you make GUTSY, EMOTIONAL, and RAW a fun time?

Enter Maja Bannerman & Rusty McCarthy on stage at Mahtay Cafe and Lounge with their musician friends: Steve Goldberger & Dave Norris (Niagara Rhythm Section), Beth Bartley & Mark Clifford (Vox Violins).

From fading love, to facing love head on, the pair tackle the art of living boldly in a today’s complex world.McCarthy is as at home, sliding along acoustic strings as leaning deep into the blues on his electric guitar. Bannerman’s performance art, invited us on a roller coaster ride of teenage angst, lusty mature desire, self doubt and bold feminist satire.

Still burning bright as accomplished artists, the pair acted out one musical vignette after another:

They ignited sparks among the library stacks, turning the Dewey Decimal system into a seductive dance.

They duelled each other in auditions for a prized place with the Canadian Opera. Goldberger pulled out his “applause-o-meter” measuring the audience reaction to that competition.

Senior humour was sprinkled in liberally from jokes about needing to use paint primer as makeup foundation, working around senior nap time, physiotherapists, and conserving vital brain wattage.

Don’t be thinking lack lustre. These two are not that. Bannerman channels Marilyn Monroe and has some Mick Jagger moves to boot. This is energy we all should aspire to in our later decades of life.” – Renate Giesbrecht, Freelance Writer

“Rusty McCarthy and Maja Bannerman read each other’s minds…what joy to listen to them!” – Joanne Smale, Planet3

What Audiences are saying…

“Rusty & Maja are amazing, versatile, awesome, creative, funny. A pleasure to watch and listen to. SOLID ROCKIN’”

“Such enviable energy…lots of FUN!”

“Rusty’s  guitar playing is amazing…”

“Your show was so delightful. Such a variety.  Liked the flow of ending at the start and new love at the closing.”

“You both pulled off the senior humour so well.”

“What a polished, gorgeous, talented show. You gave your all and you are wonderful.”

“I am so impressed with your team.. all the choreography, harmonies. Beautiful authentic stories and Show Biz.”