Singer Cari Burdett knows all about overcoming obstacles.
There was the time she lost her voice and almost gave up on singing.
Then there was the time she was involved in a major car accident that took place just before she was about to take part in a singing competition.
“At the time it was shattering,” Burdett said.
Despite all of the obstacles that life has thrown at her, Burdett has managed to keep on singing.
“I couldn’t stop singing,” Burdett said. “I kept thinking in a way that life was trying tell me to stop singing but actually it is more about how do I embrace this gift.”
On Friday (May 29), after spending years living abroad, Burdett will be performing at the Harbour City Theatre alongside pianist Miles Black, violinist Richard Moody and bassit Sean Drabbit. Her stop in Nanaimo is part of a tour to promote her debut album Magnolia, which she released earlier this year.
Burdett, who is a graduate of McGill University and the Royal Academy of Music in the United Kingdom, was raised on Vancouver Island and has been involved with music for years.
“There was a time in my life that I remember vividly singing in the music festivals and being truly moved by the audience,” Burdett said. “I realized that the power of music was so great that they would often cry or laugh when I sang and I was deeply moved and touched.”
Burdett’s album, Magnolia, contains 12 tracks and has been described as “dramatic gypsy cabaret” and features Burdett singing in five different languages, including Spanish, Italian and Swedish.
“I have gypsy background ... and that sense of travel and passion for languages and arts is really who I am,” Burdett said. “I wanted to reach a broader audience with this album and so I included popular songs with some new arrangements.”
Burdett’s tour will conclude at the end of the month in Duncan and she is currently in the process of scheduling an eastern tour.
“I will be doing a tour in Ontario and Quebec in the fall and attending showcases,” she said.
Burdett performs at the Harbour City Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advanced and can be purchased at Fascinating Rhythm, 51 Commercial St., or $20 at the door.
For more information, please visit www.cariburdett.com.
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