Dawn Pemberton has deep musical roots that take her powerful voice from gospel and soul to jazz, funk and world music. She has become a staple of the Vancouver music scene and can often be found tearin’ it up as a vocalist, teacher, facilitator, choir director and “go to girl” for live performances and studio sessions.
A passionate songwriter and performer Dawn crafts her music with a sense of adventure, quirkiness, and serious groove and shapes it into her own unique and dynamic package.
Tight, expressive and bold, Dawn will hit you where it counts, funk you up and make you say "Go 'head!"
Dawn's 2014 Album Release
Say Somethin’, is about having the courage to be vulnerable, about opening up what’s in our hearts and on our minds. "It’s a necessary pep talk to myself and hopefully others. We have to be our biggest fans and motivators." Vibrant, genuine, and soulful, Dawn brings it with a sense of adventure and serious groove and creates a unique and dynamic package.
The album won Urban Recording of the Year at The 2015 Western Canadian Music Awards.
"I love this album" - Craig Charles’ Funk and Soul Show, BBC Radio 6 UK
"Great New Singer From Canada" - Gilles Peterson, BBC Radio 6 UK
"A big voice and irresistible verve…" - Vancouver International Jazz Festival
"Vancouver’s Pemberton, a longtime vocalist, arranger and live performer, releases her funky, soul–jazz debut. Her ageless grooves, backed by a wealth of talented instrumentalists, certainly say something. Forecast: Dawn will be crowned the new queen of Canadian soul." - Pop Forecast, Postmedia
"Her retro soul–funk tunes have been expertly captured on her debut album Say Somethin’." - The Vancouver Sun
"One of the jazziest R & B plates to get served up. …Say Somethin’ is certainly worthy of listening" - The Province
"Vancouver’s Dawn Pemberton has catapulted her gorgeous debut album, Say Somethin’ into the foyer of cool, a very classy soul/R&B production with some jazz and funk dressings" - Canadian Music Blog
