Scott Roos
Special to the Herald
Ella Forrest and the Great Pines delivered a smooth, confident, and deeply engaging performance Friday, Feb. 20 at the EA Rawlinson Centre for the Arts, in what will very likely stand as one of the venue’s musical highlights of the season.
Presented in the intimate “on stage” configuration, the concert struck a perfect balance between polish and warmth, giving the audience a close-up look at a group firing on all cylinders.
From the outset, the setlist demonstrated careful curation and strong artistic identity. Forrest and her band moved fluidly between originals and covers, and the transitions were so seamless that nothing felt stitched together or out of place. Instead, the evening unfolded like a cohesive musical conversation.
The stylistic range was particularly impressive: soul grooves melted into funk, bossa nova textures gave way to dance pop shimmer, and flashes of disco energy kept the momentum alive. It was a versatile program that never lost its throughline.
Backing Forrest was an absolutely formidable band. Bassist Jakob Bjornson was locked in all night, delivering lines that were both muscular and agile. His playing anchored the ensemble with authority while still leaving room for nuance and movement.
Guitarist Connor MacPherson proved equally compelling. His touch was consistently tasteful, whether digging into tight, syncopated funk riffs or painting softer textures during the more ballad-driven and bossa-tinged material. He has a clear sense of when to step forward and when to simply serve the song — a skill that elevated the entire performance.
Behind the kit, Theo Deiana was the definition of “in the pocket.” His drumming remained solid and supportive throughout the night, providing the rhythmic glue that allowed the band’s stylistic shifts to feel natural rather than abrupt.
Meanwhile, saxophonist Sam Stawarz often sounded like an entire horn section unto himself. His solos were thoughtful and well-shaped, and his mid-verse embellishments never cluttered the arrangements or distracted from the vocals. Instead, they added color and lift exactly where needed.
At the center of it all was Ella Forrest, who proved herself a genuine tour de force. Her voice floated effortlessly above the band, clear and expressive, with a fragile playfulness that consistently drew the audience in. Her vocal runs were particularly choice – nimble without being showy, and always in service of the song. Just as notable was her stage presence. Forrest maintained an easy, genuine rapport with both her bandmates and the audience, creating an atmosphere that felt relaxed but fully professional.
If there was one minor visual distraction, it was the presence of a music stand onstage. That said, the practical reality is understandable. With band members living in different parts of the country and limited rehearsal time together, some onstage support is reasonable and, ultimately, the performance quality made it easy to overlook.
The covers throughout the night were crowd-pleasers, with Forrest putting her own stamp on each. Her take on “Tennessee Whiskey” was particularly well received as was Stevie Wonder’s classic “Superstition”, and her interpretation of Laufey’s “Fragile” showed impressive stylistic sensitivity.
Still, it was her original material that arguably made the strongest impression. Songs like “Butterflies,” “I Need to Know,” and the closing “Ghosts” showcased her songwriting voice and emotional clarity, hinting at an artist with a distinct and developing point of view.
Production values also deserve mention. The sound mix was clean and well-balanced, and the lighting design complemented the intimate staging without overwhelming it. The ambiance in the room was warm and focused, and the audience response made it clear the performance connected.
All told, Ella Forrest and the Great Pines delivered a polished, versatile, and thoroughly enjoyable evening of music. If this performance is any indication, Forrest is an artist very much worth watching and Prince Albert audiences were fortunate to catch this show when they did.
