Edmonton Blues Festival

They call her "The Lioness of the Blues". After a scorching performance at the Monterey Bay Blues Festival, Mac McDonald of the Monterey Herald had this to say. "She has the soul of Aretha Franklin, the vocal power of Etta James, the gospel roots of Mavis Staples, the sass of Koko Taylor, the funky groove of James Brown and the fun-loving spirit of Katie Webster."

An accomplished songwriter as well as powerful vocalist and energetic performer Sista Monica Parker has worked major festivals in Europe, Mexico, Turkey, Romania, Canada and across the United States. She has shared the stage with BB King, Buddy Guy, Gladys Knight, The Neville Brothers, Etta James and a host of others. Because of her high spirited energy she was asked to headline the Montreal Jazz Festival blues night with Ray Charles and Taj Mahal as part of the bill.

The Baptist church in Gary Indiana is the place where Sista Monica Parker started singing. Her musical influences included Otis Redding, Al Green, Gladys Knight, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson BB King, Albert Collins, The Staples, James Brown and Aretha Franklin. She moved to California in 1987 and made music her full time career in 1992. She has recorded 5 albums for her own independent label, Mo Muscle Records, is her own producer and writes her own material.

Kathleen Lawton of KCSM Radio says of her "She is a fierce force of nature on the modern blues scene-alternately attacking and caressing, dynamic and seductive. She rocks as powerfully as the great vintage blues divas and rolls you with her devastating wit. She can scorch you-and move you to tears. A blues hurricane of emotional intensity Look out for Sista Monica."

Edmonton's Labatt Blues festival is proud to present the Alberta debut of this incredible performer.