JANE IRVING “Biography”
A pure individual and a real jazz singer, Jane has a willingness to explore a wide dynamic vocal range. This combined with her unique phrasing and rare ability to interpret a lyric has won her acclaim from audiences and respect from her fellow musicians.
Born in Sydney, March 11 1971, Jane began classical piano studies at six. Her first teacher, Jenny Rumsey, an extraordinarily encouraging and devoted influence, became the reason for Jane’s continued classical study to the age of eighteen. During this time Jane also entered vocal Eisteddfods and for her first singing performance, won third place. A seed was sewn. Then for the Higher School Certificate classical piano performance Jane was awarded third in the state.
Jane’s family were all music lovers but says …“it wasn’t until my brother introduced me to the blues that I started trying new things on the piano. My ears really started to open up and then I heard Sarah Vaughan. She stirred so much inside me and was the reason I seriously started thinking about singing. Then I heard Carmen McRae, Betty Carter, Anita O’Day, Shirley Horn, Mark Murphy, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Thelonious Monk and so on. There are so many wonderful artists to draw information from and this was the very beginning of the journey to discover my new passion - the history, the roots and the meaning of jazz.”
With a solid musical foundation already behind her, twenty years ago, age 17, Jane got her first gig playing piano and singing two nights a week at an inner city hotel in Sydney. Although she continued to work in the piano/vocal environment for a few years, the voice was quickly becoming Janes instrument of choice. With just a microphone in front of her and a trio behind her, a newfound freedom was discovered and Jane formed her first quartet.
In 2000, Jane began studying with Kerrie Biddell and in 2001 recorded her second CD ‘Better Than Anything’ - a jazz vocal showcase that received regular airplay and put Jane amongst the finest singers in her field.
While visiting New York in 2003, Jane studied with Sheila Jordan and Jay Clayton. She was asked to sing at the ‘Up Over Jazz Café’ in Brooklyn and ‘Chez Suzette’ and ‘Swing 54’ in Manhattan. Befriending songwriter/lyricist Ray Passman Jane was later the appreciative recipient of some of his work for her to record.
Janes new recording entitled ‘Beams’ released late 2007 features Don Rader (trumpet and flugelhorn), Brendan Clarke and Ashley Turner (double bass), Michael Bartolomei and Matt McMahon (piano), James Waples (drums) and Fabian Hevia (percussion). This album, Jane says “… has been on the back burner for some time. I wanted to include some divergent material, strong enough to create a journey all on its own.”
Jane says, “My ears have always been my primary learning tool over the years and so listening was how I developed the feel that I have for jazz “ and it’s the feel that I always base my performance on.”
