“Guillou puts a slightly more organic contemporary jazz spin on music steeped in tradition and thus makes old school become new cool, the sign of a true artist.” ~ Critical Jazz
“An album that is so rich with dimension you need a pair of 3D glasses to listen to it.”~ !Earshot Magazine
“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.”~ Slocan Valley Current
Jaclyn’s first experience as a performer was at the age of 2 when she jumped up on stage during the intermisson of her sister’s dance recital. She began her career quickly after that moment when her mother, a local dressmaker for the dance school, enrolled her in voice, dance and music lessons.
Vancouver born and raised Jaclyn Guillou (pronounced Ghee-you) is an emerging Canadian jazz vocalist who performs music that is diverse, eclectic and carefree. Her newly released, independently produced debut studio album, To The City, boasts original jazz music with unembroidered wide-ranging vocals that exhibits a polished and playful new sound.
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 not only appeal to her own taste of music but to provide something new and interesting for music lovers of all sorts.
To The City, her debut album is a colourful album full of texture and rich melody, highlighting Guillou’s compositional prowess. The album features eight original songs performed that includes special guest artists Denzal Sinclaire, Tom Beckham and Randy Porter. 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 Canada and the United States in some of the most recognized jazz clubs and festivals with sold out shows at the Beat Niq Jazz Club, Yardbird Suite, Cellar Jazz Club, The Rex, Hermann’s Jazz Club, Vernon Jazz Club, Uptown Kitchener-Waterloo Jazz Festival 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. Jaclyn has an upcoming tour to Europe, an extensive Canada Tour in the spring and a recent invitation to perform in New York City at Birdland Jazz Club.
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.
VIDEO LINKS:
jaclynguillou.com
Music video for the song “California” (a cover originally recorded by Joni Mitchell)
Live performance for the song “To The City” (orignal song and title track of album)
