Allison Russell in Ottawa

Allison Russell is a Canadian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Montreal whose music draws on folk, Americana and roots traditions. After performing with Po’ Girl, Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters, she established a solo catalogue with the albums Outside Child and The Returner, including the songs “Nightflyer,” “The Returner” and “Eve Was Black.” At the 2022 Newport Folk Festival, she joined Joni Mitchell’s surprise set as part of the supporting ensemble. She later brought her own material to theatres and clubs on The Returner Tour, then opened dates for Hozier on the Unreal Unearth Tour in 2024. Her concerts use a full-band format built around her vocals, clarinet and banjo. The touring ensemble is known as the Rainbow Coalition.