Coquitlam singer-songwriter Jennifer Hayes is ready for a new chapter.
She’s ready to hit the jazz festival circuits, the clubs and the theatres to show the world her gift of song.
And what a song repertoire she has.
The jazz artist built up her catalogue as a music student of James Bryson’s at Centennial secondary school, while completing her bachelor of music degree at Capilano University, as a session musician and while performing alongside such greats as Jim Byrnes, Michael Kaeshammer and Dal Richards.
Indeed, it was Richards who discovered her and included her as a vocalist in his orchestra. Together, the band entertained before thousands at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, at their annual PNE concerts and at other shows.
But since the band leader’s passing on Dec. 31, 2015 — and even before that, with her children growing older and more independent — Hayes has had her eye on the future.
“For me, it was kind of time to do my own thing,” she said during an interview in her teaching studio last Friday.
Last year, she and producer Paul Airey, co-owner and operator of Avenue Music Productions Inc. and Sound Kitchen Studios in Vancouver, collaborated to write a new song, titled Noble Rose.
The tune struck a nerve with The 7 Virtues founder Barb Stegemann, who included it in her new documentary called Perfume War.
The success of the song made Hayes want to write and record more.
With Airey’s help, she narrowed down her vast repertoire to pick nine cover tunes for her new album — “all songs that I love the most,” she said.
Hayes also penned a tune called Little Bird, which features the background vocals of her daughter Elyse.
Tomorrow night (Wednesday), Hayes will release her 10-track album, And So It Goes, at a concert at Frankie’s Jazz Club (765 Beatty St, Vancouver) at 8 p.m. The CD will be officially available for purchase Thursday via iTunes, Spotify and Amazon.
Closer to home, on Nov. 26, Hayes will appear with bassist Jodi Proznick and Jon Roper on guitar at Port Moody’s Gallery Bistro to promote her new CD.
Hayes stressed the album is more “jazz influenced” than pure jazz. She offers songs ranging from the 1936 jazz standard by Duke Ellington, Caravan, to the the modern pop ballad by Billy Joel, And So it Goes. In between, she mixes plenty of positive vibes: from Dave Barbour’s It’s A Good Day to Ring Them Bells by Bob Dylan — all with her own arrangements. “They’re not all traditional jazz songs,” Hayes said. “It’s very eclectic but it’s my kind of thing.”
Now, with the album out this week, Hayes is looking forward to the release of its first video for the title track.
Already, she’s working on her third CD — a work she said will be composed of original music. Recently, she bought a guitarele (guitar-ukulele hybrid) for inspiration.
“I’m most excited to see what’s out there for me,” she said. “My dream is to play with people who I love, playing music that I love, for an appreciative audience.”
• Tickets for Jennifer Hayes’ concert with Jodi Proznick and Jon Roper at the Gallery Bistro (2411 Clarke St., Port Moody) on Nov. 26 are $30 (dinner included). Call 604-937-0998.
