Layah Jane

Layah Jane
Background information
Genres	Folk, soul
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer-songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, piano, keyboards
Labels	Grace Note Records
Associated acts	Oliver Johnson
Website	www.layahjane.com

Layah Jane is a soul-folk singer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.^[1] She and her sister were raised by a psychotherapist/singer-songwriter father and a poet mother who teaches writing.

She took piano lessons as a child and attended the Toronto Waldorf School.^[2] She plays acoustic guitar and keyboards.

Jane has appeared at the Rochester International Jazz Festival, Ottawa Folk Festival, Toronto Winterfolk Festival, Toronto City Roots Festival, North by Northeast Music Festival, Blue Skies Music Fest and New Music West. Her voice and songs have also been heard in The Dove Self Esteem Fund's 2006 "True Colors" TV campaign, on Global TV's Blue Murder, and on ESPN's Tilt.^[3]

She has collaborated with a collection of Canada's finest musicians, including: Ben Riley (Bruce Cockburn), Mark Mariash (Ron Sexsmith, Sarah Slean), Bryden Baird (Feist), Mark McLean (Serena Ryder, Molly Johnson), Lyle Molzan (Jann Arden), Marc Rogers (K'naan, Philosopher Kings), Brian MacMillan (Kevin Hearn, Barenaked Ladies) and Burke Carroll (Kathleen Edwards) among others.^[4]

She was nominated for the 2008 Toronto Independent Music Award for Best Folk Artist, but lost to Angie Nussey^[5]

She tours with Oliver Johnson.

Discography

• Layah Jane (2001)
• Grievance and Gratitude (2005)
• Grievance and Gratitude Remixes (2005)
• Patience EP (2007)
• Brightness & Bravery (2008)

Awards

• CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award (2005)
• Ontario Council of Folk Festival's Songs from The Heart Best Political Song Award (2005)
• Toronto Independent Music Awards (Best Jazz, 2006)
• Ontario Independent Music Award (Best Folk, 2007)
• Ontario Independent Music Award (Best Female Artist, 2008)

References