Have You Heard Judi Singh?
directed by
Baljit Sangra
Toronto Premiere
Originally from Edmonton, gifted jazz singer Judi Singh defied expectations as a Black-Punjabi artist in the late 1950s. Her ethereal voice captivated musicians and niche audiences, yet the industry failed to duly recognize her. Weaving together moments of brilliance, struggle, and resilience, Have You Heard Judi Singh? reintroduces a forgotten artist to the spotlight she always deserved.
Programmer's Notes
Baljit Sangra’s Have You Heard Judi Singh? is a moving portrait of the underrecognized Canadian jazz performer Judi Singh. We meet Judi in her youth—a woman of Pakistani and Black heritage—breaking into the late ’60s Edmontonian jazz scene with a deep love of music in her heart. As a musician and single mother, she lived a life filled with song, love, and hardship, yet remained a beacon for her family and community.
Sangra crafts more than a biography. Have You Heard Judi Singh? is a resonant, emotionally rich cinematic work– weaving the story of a gifted artist whose life wasn’t perfect, but was deeply lived.
The film is food for the soul of any artist, challenging personal motives for artistry, while affirming that the purpose of creativity isn’t grandeur; it’s connection. Judi Singh’s legacy lives not in awards, but in the lives she touched, and the inspiration she continues to spark through her music.
- Aisha Evelyna
Cast
N/A
About the Director
Vancouver-based documentary filmmaker, Baljit Sangra, is known for her compelling explorations of social and cross-cultural issues within the South Asian community. Sangra's work, including the acclaimed film, Because We Are Girls (2019), often focus on themes of resilience, identity, and representation, aiming to give voice to underrepresented narratives. Her films have been featured at various international film festivals.