Smooth Jazz Singer-Songwriter Jan Spencer
Before coming to the South Carolina Low Country, where she now lives, Smooth Jazz & Blues Singer-Songwriter, Jan Spencer performed in numerous venues in and around her Detroit home. These dates included mainstage performances at the Montreaux Detroit Jazz Festival that features top-notch jazz artists from all over the world.
She has also worked nationally and internationally on stage and television. She has shared the stage with such greats as Aretha Franklin, the late Lou Rawls, Najee, Roy Ayers, Tony Bennett, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt and Stevie Wonder, to name a few.
Since her arrival in the Low Country, she has performed extensively in local and regional Jazz clubs, Jazz concerts, Jazz festivals, and television establishing a reputation a world-class jazz vocalist.
She has also worked as a resident artist in Beaufort and Charleston County schools. She has developed innovative, programs that teach the origins of Blue Music and the relationship of Blues to Jazz History. These have been presented for both children and adults.
Her One-Woman shows featuring her smooth jazz originals and her arrangements of Blues, R&B and Classic Jazz standards have been sponsored by both the local Arts Council and The Black Chamber of Commerce.
Fans say she has a voice like chocolate...rich and delicious! Jan is a smooth jazz artist whose style is described as Bill Withers meets Roberta Flack or Cassandra Wilson meets Brenda Russell or Carly Simon meets Jill Scott. Yet, she definitely has her own, unique sound - warm & jazzy with just a bit of sass, especially when she sings the blues!
All of the songs on the smooth jazz CD "Tribute” were either written or arranged by Ms. Spencer and feature the work of some of the South Carolina Low Country's most talented musicians. Darryl Home on keys, bass, rhythm and lead guitar; Greg Whittaker playing that soul jazz, sax work you hear; Delbert Felix on upright bass and Craig Washington is on guitar. Ed Nelson, known by his many friends as Dr. Moto, worked with Jan to produce the CD.
Since the release of her smooth jazz CD, “Tribute”, Jan has been in much demand as a consummate jazz artist. She has performed at numerous venues including South Carolina Public Television, Minton’s Play House, NY, the Lennox Lounge, NY, numerous conferences, festival and Churches in the region. Ms. Spencer’s music was also featured in a cultural education production she co-produced for the annual Native Islander Gullah Celebration on Hilton Head Island.
The jazz singer-songwriter is now pleased to embark on a new adventure as she performs her music in “House Concerts”. This is an innovative way for independent recording artists to bring their fresh, new music to music lovers in intimate jazz concerts held in the homes of friends.
Ms. Spencer holds a BA in Education Psychology and a Masters of Education in Curriculum & Instruction with Specialty in Creative Arts in Education. For booking info or information about her blues and jazz music history residencies, email her at spencersings@JanSpencerSings.com
Buy Jan's Smooth Jazz CD "Tribute" at CD Baby
Get yours today!!