The Small Glories

Winnipeg's the Small Glories emerged as a celebrated roots-music pair consisting of singer-guitarist Cara Luft, formerly of the Wailin' Jennys, alongside singer-guitarist J.D. Edwards. Both musicians demonstrate remarkable command of their instruments across folk, country, blues, and bluegrass idioms. Attention first arrived through their 2014 touring schedule, followed by broader recognition upon the arrival of their 2016 debut album, Wondrous Traveler, whose dual-lead-guitar arrangements and layered vocal harmonies stood out prominently.

The duo's story traces to 2012, when longtime acquaintances Luft and Edwards were matched for a concert marking the 25th anniversary of Winnipeg's West End Cultural Centre. That enthusiastic reception planted the seed for eventual joint work. Before teaming up, Luft had already co-founded the Juno Award-winning trio the Wailin' Jennys and released well-received solo records, while Edwards had earned recognition through traditional bluegrass groups as well as his own projects that blended blues, country, and R&B. After the 2012 show, solo commitments kept them apart until 2014, when Edwards accompanied Luft on the road; the evident rapport then cemented their partnership. Their first full-length release, Wondrous Traveler, appeared in 2016, and the follow-up album Assiniboine & the Red reached listeners in 2019, featuring the single "Oh My Love."