An evening of music, poetry, art and treats from local GTA black artists and businesses in the cozy atmosphere of Goforth Hall.
Featuring sounds of gospel, jazz, soul, and more from Kyle & Jonathan Boddie, Brandon Davis, O’Neil & Mia Donald, and more.
Kyle & Jonathan Boddie
From the very start, music has always been a unifying force for twin brothers Kyle and Jonathan Boddie. Since birth, they were surrounded by melodies and harmonies and were immersed in eclectic musical styles spanning gospel, jazz, R&B, classical and beyond. Some of their earliest memories are of them singing duets together in church or learning how to harmonize with their dad.
As life-long collaborators, their unique yet complementary perspectives have been a catalyst for creativity and musical exploration. Over the years, they’ve developed their respective crafts as vocalists, songwriters, worship leaders, musicians, clinicians and vocal/musical arrangers, finding their artistic voices at the intersection of faith and music.
On any given day, you can find them leading worship at their home church in Mississauga, spending time with family and friends, baking, rock climbing or re-watching some of their favourite shows. But, above all else, they aim to point to Christ and bring Him the glory in everything they do – on and off the stage.
Brandon Davis is an improvising musician and composer who has been active since 2011. He is primarily an upright bassist with roots in Toronto’s avant-garde improvising and singer/songwriter communities, and is a versatile musician with experience in a wide variety of contexts. He performs in folk, pop, metal, electronic, jazz, improvisatory, experimental, and classical contexts; and has filled roles as varied as guitarist, ukulele-player, vocalist, producer, and audio engineer in addition to his primary work as an upright bassist. In each of these contexts, he is a committed, intentional, hard-working and deeply present musician motivated by a passion to create vulnerable, honest, and impactful music. He is currently in the second year of his doctorate at the University of Toronto where he studies the phenomenon of unselfconscious decision-making in improvisation, and is enjoying learning how to parent a toddler.
Desarae Dee is an internationally and institutionally recognized, award-winning Canadian fusion artist, composer, producer, educator, and GRAMMY® voting member. Blending jazz, gospel, soul, and electronic influences, she creates immersive, cinematic soundscapes rooted in emotion, spirituality, and storytelling. Since launching her career in 2014, Desarae has built a global presence through her multi-platform viral series #4ChordWorship and performances at NAMM, Canadian Music Week, and Toronto Pearson International Airport, where she held an eight-week solo residency. Her album Adventure: The Album received GRAMMY® consideration in three categories. A GRAMMY® U Mentor and Music Director and Lead Accompanist for the University of Toronto Faculty of Music Gospel Choir, Desarae bridges artistry and education; using sound to heal, transform, and elevate audiences worldwide.
O’Neil & Mia Donald. For O’Neil & Mia Donald, music is a lived experience. Together for over 15 years as performers and married for five, the Toronto-based duo create musical moments of deep connection and honesty. Their sound sweeps across contemporary R&B, soul, and dance pop.
Individually, both artists have built distinct creative paths—but together, O’Neil & Mia represent a long-standing musical partnership shaped by trust, chemistry, and shared vision.
O’Neil & Mia are also music educators. Together they run Reclaim Your Voice — a series of transformative music coaching and artist development programs that empower singers and song makers to go from unsure to unforgettable.