TOUR DATES WITH YO-YO MA BEGIN OCTOBER 19 - FULL DATES BELOW
“ULTESTAKON” THE FIRST LIVE VIDEO FROM THE KYOTO SESSIONS OUT NOW
WATCH / SHARE “ULTESTAKON” HERE
Photo Credit: Ausin Mann
Acclaimed Wolastoqiyik tenor, composer, ethnomusicologist, and activist Jeremy Dutcher announces a special series of performances in Japan and Taiwan alongside the legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma, marking a remarkable new chapter in his growing relationship with international audiences. Coinciding with the tour, Dutcher also unveils a newly recorded version of his beloved composition "Ultestakon" offering a moving reimagining of one of his most celebrated works, available now.
Known for creating music that bridges cultures while remaining deeply rooted in the traditions of the Wolastoqiyik Nation, Dutcher has long explored the ways language carries memory, history, and belonging. This new recording extends that exploration, bringing Ultestakon through a thoughtful act of cultural exchange.
“This is a traditional lullaby of the wəlastəkwiyik (people of the peaceful wave). In our traditional song forms, sometimes we sing words that cannot directly be translated into wəlastəkwey latowewakən (our language), this is one such song. We instead say, s/he is singing in ‘sky language’ that which can be understood by the ancestors. This song was originally released in 2018 on my debut album Wəlastəkwiyik Lintowakənawa”, says Jeremy.
The live performance video for “Ultestakon” is part of the Kyoto Sessions, an intimate series captured in Japan one year ago. Joined by Thom Gill (guitar) and Stefan Schneider (percussion), Jeremy Dutcher gathered inside a century-old traditional Japanese home overlooking a peaceful Shinto shrine and its lush gardens. Filmed by tranquilo Productions, the setting becomes more than a backdrop, it enters into conversation with the music, its quiet beauty mirroring the song's spirit. Stripped to its acoustic essence, “Ultestakon” unfolds with remarkable intimacy, revealing new emotional textures and offering a deeply moving interpretation of one of Jeremy's most cherished compositions.
WATCH / SHARE “ULTESTAKON” HERE
This is not the first collaboration between Jeremy Dutcher and Yo-Yo Ma. The two artists first worked together in 2018 on "Honor Song", featured on Yo-Yo Ma's album Notes for the Future. Widely regarded as a Mi'kmaq anthem, the song is a powerful call to our shared responsibility to care for the Earth. Sung in multiple languages, it transcends cultural boundaries, inviting listeners from around the world to connect through a message of stewardship, respect, and collective belonging.
Throughout the tour, Dutcher and Ma will share the stage for a unique program that intertwines classical repertoire with Indigenous song traditions, creating moments of profound dialogue between their distinct musical worlds. This longtime collaboration reflects a shared commitment to preserving cultural heritage while continually expanding the possibilities of contemporary performance.
For Dutcher, whose groundbreaking work has redefined the relationship between Indigenous language, history, and composition, the invitation marks another milestone in an international career that continues to resonate with audiences around the world. Paired with Yo-Yo Ma's unparalleled artistry and lifelong dedication to fostering cultural understanding through music, the performances promise evenings of exceptional musicianship and emotional depth.
Earlier this year, Dutcher was invited by Sir Elton John to perform at the 15th Glenn Gould Prize Gala in Toronto, joining an all-star Canadian lineup assembled to celebrate the legendary musician's artistic legacy. His stirring interpretation of "I'm Still Standing" was among the evening's standout performances, further underscoring his reputation as one of Canada's most compelling live artists. Jeremy also recently performed at Pride Montreal earlier this month.
Over the past decade, Jeremy Dutcher has emerged as one of Canada's most visionary artists, earning international acclaim for his genre-defying body of work that brings ancestral Wolastoqey songs into contemporary conversation. His performances continue to resonate with audiences around the world, celebrated for their emotional power, virtuosity, and unwavering commitment to language revitalization.
TICKETS FOR TAIWAN TOUR DATES
TICKETS FOR JAPAN TOUR DATES
ABOUT JEREMY DUTCHER
Jeremy Dutcher is a Two-Spirit song carrier, performer, composer, activist, classically trained tenor, and Wolastoqiyik member of Tobique First Nation in Eastern Canada. Working at the intersection of Indigenous song tradition and Western classical form, he has emerged as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary Canadian music. Dedicated to Wolastoqiyik language revitalization, Jeremy’s practice is rooted in the belief that language, song, and cultural knowledge are living traditions that carry the past into the future.
His breakthrough debut album, Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa (“Songs of the People of the Beautiful River”), transformed century-old archival recordings of his ancestors into arrangements for voice and grand piano. Sung entirely in Wolastoqey, the album received international acclaim and won the 2018 Polaris Music Prize.
Jeremy’s sophomore release, Motewolonuwok (ᒣᑌᐧᐁᓓᓄᐧᐁᒃ), further deepened his exploration of composition, vocal performance, and orchestral textures, earning him a second Polaris Music Prize in 2024 and making him the first artist to receive the award twice. The album reflects on Two-Spirit identity, community, responsibility, and collective futures.
Now based in Tiohtià:ke (Montreal), Dutcher is a sought-after voice on language revitalization, Two-Spirit identity, and fashion. In 2022, he helped launch Kekhimin, the first Wolastoqey language immersion school, founded by his mother, Lisa Perley-Dutcher. He has toured extensively across North America, Europe, and Australia, and is currently working on his first book.
TOUR DATES
Aug 29 - Toronto, ON - Mikinakoos Forest Fire Relief Show
Sep 27 - Brandon, MB - Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium
Sep 30 - Calgary, AB - National Music Centre
Oct 08 - Santa Fe, NM - Lensic Performing Arts Center
Oct 12 - San Francisco, CA - Yerba Beuna Gardens Festival
Oct 18 - Taipei, TW - National Concert Hall (TICKETS)
Oct 21 - Taichung, TW - National Taichung Theater (TICKETS)
Oct 25 - Tokyo, JP - Suntory Hall (TICKETS)
Oct 27 - Tokyo, JP - Suntory Hall (TICKETS)
Nov 12 - Illkrich, FR - L’Illiade
Nov 24 - Vaulx-en-Velin, FR - Centre Charlie Chaplin