Vancouver born and raised Jaclyn Guillou (pronounced Ghee-you) is an emerging Canadian jazz vocalist who performs original modern music that is diverse, eclectic and carefree. Her newly released, independently produced debut studio album, 'To The City', boasts unembroidered wide-ranging vocals with a polished and playful new sound. With her international band: New York vibraphonist Tom Beckham, Portland pianist Randy Porter, Vancouver bassist Michael Rush and Toronto/Vancouver drummer Joe Poole she has delighted audiences everywhere. The album features eight original songs performed with her quintet and special guest artists Denzal Sinclaire, Bruno Hubert, Evan Arntzen, Rod Murray, Raphael Geronimo and Chris Davis. Her compositional skills showcase interesting and unusual arrangements with influences ranging from the queen of the blues Dinah Washington, the passionate Diane Reeves, Canadian folk hero Joni Mitchell and Brazilian legend Elis Regina. This young twenty-something artist strives to merge the sound of deep jazz roots and hip modern sounds to appeal to music lovers of all sorts. 

'To The City' is a colourful album full of texture and rich melody, highlighting Guillou’s compositional prowess. Interesting and unusual, undeniably bold and full of life, 'To The City' has a cosmopolitan approach with shades of Guillou’s life story taking full swing across the entire album. Surely capable of wooing all sorts of music lovers of jazz, pop, soul and folk. Recorded to tape with vintage gear and microphones, 'To The City' blends the perfect mixture of old meets new. Guillou is supported beautifully with an impressive cast of musicians from across North America. 

In 2009 Jaclyn was honoured to be the recipient of a CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award from the Vancouver International Jazz Festival and has been setting good stride since then. She has toured throughout Western Canada in some of Canada’s most recognized jazz clubs and festivals with sold out shows at the Beat Niq Jazz Club, Yardbird Suite, Cellar Jazz Club, Hermann’s Jazz Club, Vernon Jazz Club, Jazz Vespers Vancouver and the 25th Anniversary 2010 Vancouver International Jazz Festival. With her quintet she has played other venues such as The Cultch (Vancouver East Cultural Centre), Station Arts Centre, Kelowna Community Theatre, Mary Irwin Theatre (Rotary Centre For The Arts), Newton Cultural Centre, The Silverton Gallery, The Snoring Sasquatch and The Firehall Centre For The Arts.

As a vocalist, composer and bandleader, Guillou brings a unique style of songwriting to the jazz idiom. She unites jazz form and structure with deep sensible lyrics that incorporate texture and complex harmony. Guillou yields a creative vocal flexibility and has become well known for her strong sense of rhythmic phrasing, colourful tone and distinct articulation. A dynamic and versatile performer singing in 4 different languages, Guillou brings a wide selection of original tunes and jazz standards to her diverse repertoire. Her voice is raw and emotional and it lingers long after the last note.

Press

“An album that is so rich with dimension you need a pair of 3D glasses to listen to it.” ~Shelley Gummeson (Earshot!)

“Guillou’s originals have the brassy, mellow glow of jazz standards as if they were plucked straight out of the vault and given a gently modern spin.” ~Sean Arthur Joyce (Slocan Valley Current)

Music

Available here

Jaclyn Guillou Links