With over a decade of sold-out shows, award-winning performances, international touring and spectacular collaborations, Payadora is in a class by itself as it moves beyond tango, chamber music, and world and jazz influences to offer something entirely new. Comprised of 2x Grammy-nominated artist Drew Jurecka and award-winning composer, violinist and vocalist Rebekah Wolkstein (founder), along with pianist Mark Camilleri, bassist Joseph Phillips and vocalist Elbio Fernandez (“The Little Giant of Tango”), the group’s international touring has taken them to South America, the US, Spain, Britain, Poland, Austria, Brazil, Argentina, Denmark and Hungary, and from coast to coast across Canada. Their trip to London, England included a live-to-air broadcast on the BBC, and their latest album was in the top 20 albums on the Transglobal World Music Chart.

Payadora’s multiple awards include Germany’s top world music prize in 2024 (Weltmusikpreis RUTH award) at the renowned Rudolstadt festival, “Best Album” in the 2024 Folk Music Ontario Awards, and “Best New Piece” at the 2023 Yiddish Music Awards in São Paolo. The band is currently nominated in the for the 2026 “Pushing Boundaries” Canadian Folk Music Award category for creativity and innovation in music.

“A World Class Contemporary Chamber Ensemble” - Ottawa Citizen

“The beloved ensemble that is tango and beyond. It is world. It is classical. It is jazz. It is tango…a delicious swirl of music that is the Payadora Ensemble.” - Classical 96.3 FM

“Playful, Spontaneous and Sexy!” -Classical 96.3 FM

#1 Album on the World Music Charts Europe March 2023 Payadora Tango Ensemble Tops the World Music Charts Europe in March 2023

“With influences from Argentina to Eastern Europe to the great Astor Piazzolla, Payadora plays the tango like it’s meant to be: sultry, steamy, but with grace and precision. You  will be entertained!”  - Words + Music magazine