To The City receives a 5 Star review!
January 24, 2012We are thrilled to announce this excellent 5 star review by a jazz critic in Kentucky, USA. Read the full review below or here on this link at Critical Jazz.
ALBUM REVIEW BY BRENT BLACK FROM CRITICAL JAZZ: JANUARY 23, 2011
Female jazz singers are a dime a dozen. The special singers that move from vocalist to artist are rare. Jaclyn Guillou and her 2011 release To The City move to the more than memorable pile of discs on my desk all most immediately. Guillou is a wonderful singer/song writer from Vancouver British Columbia that is the vocal triple threat. More than ample chops, a great lyricist and the ability to combine these qualities into an authentic and sincere sense of artistry should place Guillou on the top of singers that deserve a second look if not that elusive if not forgotten major label deal.
Jaclyn Guillou is far more than the “pretty girl” doing her own riff on a set of jazz standards that have seen better days. There is an eclectic and somewhat quirky nature to the arrangements and Guillou’s vocal phrasing is incredibly infectious. To The City is a fresh sound yet steeped in tradition where the music is not taking a back seat to Guillou’s vocals, it is the perfect compliment to her vocals.
A somewhat personal recording, semi-autobiographical in nature allows Guillou to connect to her material especially “Sunny Sunday” which is a playful number setting the mood for an organic swing that seems to permeate this release. “Little Red Shoes” is the vocal version of the little black dress, a sexy little number that every female vocalist should have in her arsenal. Guillou and the band shine as they push the swing on “All or Nothing at All” and breathe new life into a timeless classic. The smoldering blues infused “Honey Blues” may showcase Guillou’s style and phrasing as well as any tune on this release, problem being there are no bad tunes here. Musical frames of reference are sometimes dangerous and often unfair but the influences of a lyrical and vocal titan such as Lorraine Feather are hard to ignore.
A first call band along with some special guests round out To The City with just the right amount of texture. 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. A musical gem to share with friends, in lieu of not having friends then tell a stranger and I promise you will be buddies for life!
5 stars!
~ Review by Critical Jazz (Brent Black)
Jaclyn presents a concert for auction at the Aids Vancouver Red Ribbon Gala
January 5, 2012Jaclyn generously presented a concert as her gift for the silent auction at the Aids Vancouver – Red Ribbon Gala on November 30, 2011. The concert was bid on and the lucky recipient will be having Jaclyn perform at their wedding this summer! All funds raised were given to the non-profit organization, Aids Vancouver. The gala is the final fundraiser for the organization which raises money during their Positive Change Red Ribbon Campaign which happens every year throughout the entire month November.
Jaclyn with fellow artists who donated their work to raise funds for Aids Vancouver in the silent auction.
About AIDS Vancouver:
AIDS Vancouver opened its doors in 1983 as the first AIDS service organization in Canada and in response to the growing need for community health organizations to support individuals vulnerable to the epidemic. Today, over 7,000 people from all over the world are annually accessing some form of service provided by AIDS Vancouver. AIDS Vancouver continues to respond to the ongoing changing and challenging health care environment of HIV/AIDS and is fully dedicated to grow and respond to meet the needs of the community they serve.
Christmas concert at Cellar Jazz Club
December 20, 2011
Thanks for coming out to the show! Jaclyn and the band had a terrific time playing to a packed house at the Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver on December 14.
(from left to right) Michael Rush, Joe Poole, Jaclyn Guillou, Bill Coon
Jaclyn announces concert in Vancouver!
November 21, 2011Jaclyn will be performing a concert in Vancouver on December 14 at the Cellar Jazz Club. Joining her onstage is the fantastic Bill Coon on guitar, Michael Rush on bass and Joe Poole on drums. This band is a new format for Jaclyn as she normally sings with piano and horn players. It will be an intimate evening with different and specially chosen songs that highlight the voice and guitar. The Cellar Jazz Club is located in Kitsilano on W Broadway and is Vancouver’s finest live jazz venue. Doors open at 6:30PM for dinner and the show starts at 8PM. Tickets can be purchased by simply making a reservation by phone or through the website cellarjazz.com
Jaclyn Guillou - live at the Cellar Jazz Club on Dec.14
Jaclyn’s very first music video!
November 7, 2011We are excited to announce the release of Jaclyn’s very first music video! She chose the song California, a cover by Joni Mitchell, from her new debut album To The City. It was filmed in her hometown Vancouver, Canada with her amazing team of talented friends and artists. SHARE & LIKE the video and you will be entered into a contest to win a free CD!!!
WATCH NOW! (and remember to subscribe to her YouTube channel)
Jaclyn studies with Nancy King
November 1, 2011Jaclyn was in Portland at the end of the summer and was thrilled to receive a private lesson with the amazing and talented jazz vocalist. Nancy King.
Jaclyn says “Nancy gave me an incredible 3 hour lesson. She gave me encouragement, instruction and shared stories of her 71 years of life as a jazz singer. She reminded me of the truthful and honest reasons why anyone would want to sing. For me it’s really really important to be around people who are incredibly inspired and creative and to be with her was a real blessing. She breathed new life into my jazz soul. I can’t wait to work with her again. And hopefully soon.”
Jaclyn’s debut at Birdland in New York City
September 13, 2011Jaclyn has been invited to sing at Birdland Jazz Club this fall in New York City! Birdland has been around since 1949 and is a notable club that almost every legendary jazz musician has visited. Read more about Birdland here and visit the website for more info. Jaclyn will perform on November 13, 2011.
Jaclyn sings live on Portland’s jazz radio station KMHD!
September 13, 2011Listen to Jaclyn and her bass player Michael Rush perform “California” live on KMHD, Portland’s jazz radio station. Jaclyn joined Lynn Darroch on his program Bright Moments where she performed 3 songs and chatted about her recent album release. KMHD is a listener supported, no profit FM broadcast station that is among the oldest and most popular jazz stations in the United States!
WATCH VIDEO HERE!
To The City now available for digital download
August 22, 2011Jaclyn’s album To The City is now available for digital download on CD Baby. You can visit the site by clicking here.
Jaclyn wins Groundbreaker Grant from CIRAA
August 11, 2011Jaclyn received a Groundbreaker Grant today from C.I.R.A.A. (Canadian Independent Recording Artists’ Association) for a performance from her Toronto mini-tour this past July. Special thanks to the program for providing Jaclyn funding & assistance to keep pursuing her musical goals. C.I.R.A.A is Canada’s only national non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to Canadian independent recording artists. Thank you for your support!
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