The Cedar Presents
jesse roper with mae simpson
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 / Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 7:30 PM
All Ages
Standing
$22 Advance, $25 Day of Show
*For Cedar Presented shows, a $4 facility fee is included in the ticket price (Ticket fee info here).
This is a standing room show. To request seating or other access accommodations, please go to our Access Page.
For Cedar presented shows, online ticket sales typically end one hour before the door time, and then, based on availability, tickets will be available at the door. Tickets purchased at the door will include a $1 Eventbrite fee.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Canadian songwriter Jesse Roper is a master at connecting his personal story and experiences to his songwriting - crafting narratives that hit on life's challenges and eccentricities - but that remain upbeat, engaging and wildly entertaining songs. Mae Simpson opens the show, blurring the lines between a wide range of influences, from the depth and energy of funk and rock to the melodic edge of R&B and folk.
jesse roper
Based in Victoria, BC, Jesse Roper is a blues/Americana artist with a penchant for writing modern indie-infused blues music and delivering bombastic live performances buoyed by his virtuosic guitar playing. His innate and impressive musical talent has served him well, giving him the flexibility to play with soul icon Booker T. Jones, rock veteran Colin James, blues belter Beth Hart, and Canadian legend Burton Cummings. The stage is where Roper shines. It has been his home since overcoming crippling stage fright during his early twenties. Fear is a part of Roper’s past that barely seems real today - especially when you see the in-concert image of a six-string soldier, hair matted to his face, tearing up the stage, without a hint of second-guessing.
Roper’s last album ‘Horizons’ marked a sonic high point in his career thus far. Working closely with famed JUNO-nominated producer Gus van Go (Metric, The Stills, Whitehorse, Arkells, The Trews, Sam Roberts) on that new collection of songs has pushed Roper into creating some of his best work. “Recording with Gus and Werner F was on a whole new level.
Roper released the first single off his upcoming LP (to be released in late 2023) "Make It All Work Out" on March 29th, 2023. The song charted on Canadian terrestrial and satellite radio throughout the spring and early summer. Now all eyes are on the next release, “Throw This Rope” produced by Gus van Go (Metric, Whitehorse, Sam Roberts Band). The song will be the second of multiple energetic, fresh, soulful and r&b inspired tracks from a forthcoming LP that harkens the voices of JJ Cale, The Teskey Brothers, Ben Harper and others - while maintaining Roper's strong and unique expression in the genre.
When asked to describe the song, Jesse remarks, "Throw This Rope is about being told how to run your life and career by folks who are currently running theirs aground. I sure don’t know everything and I never will but I’ve been given every manner of advice from folks who have no idea what they're talking about. It’s frustrating sometimes."
Jesse is a master at connecting his personal story and experiences to his songwriting - crafting narratives that hit on life's challenges and eccentricities - but that remain upbeat, engaging and wildly entertaining songs.
Adventuresome doesn’t properly describe Roper as an artist, because when the guitar-wielding dynamo sets out to accomplish something, there’s no telling where his mind will wander, or when his energy will go.
Mae simpson
Mae Simpson led by her powerful vocals and magnetic stage presence. Bringing the audience to their feet with driving horns and drums. The Minneapolis-based singer songwriter weaves elements of funk, soul, pop, rock and country into her sound. Mae and her bandmates leave it all on the stage. Their high-energy show creates a powerful connection with the audience. Hailing originally from South Carolina, Mae has been passionate about singing and creating music for as long as she can remember. Her broad and soulful voice and deep well of creative energy are complemented by the musicianship and passion of the band. The band has released two EPs, Feel It Comin’ in 2018 and Did You Make it Back in 2020. Mae releases their Debut album “Chandelier & Bloom” September 2023.
“Her raspy, dynamic voice is larger than life,” said Helen Teague of Minnesota Public Radio, “but not as large as her uncontainable energy that radiates from the stage.”
Simpson has opened for acts including Dermot Kennedy, Grace Potter, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Robert Clay, Ike Reilly, Langhorn Slim, RubbleBucket, and Pert Near Sandstone. She has performed multiple times on the iconic First Avenue main room, The Fillmore in Minneapolis, the Basilica Block Party, Live On King Street in Madison, Wisconsin, and the Blue Ox Music Festival. If you are a fan of artists like Alabama Shakes, Lake Street Dive and Bruce Springsteen, Mae Simpson is right up your alley.