COUPLES IN HARMONY

Soapbox is excited to present a brand new series; ‘Couples in Harmony’. A collection of short conversations and concerts, concerning the issues of our time. ‘Couples in Harmony’ will explore the lives of working coupled musicians in lockdown, how they cope and how they manage to remain focused, disciplined, and find the space in their homes and hearts to continue their creative paths forward. (Interviews with Tracey Yarad)

JANE IRVING HAS A WILLINGNESS TO EXPLORE A WIDE DYNAMIC VOCAL RANGE, WITH PHRASING AND INTERPRETATIONS THAT MAKE HER A UNIQUE STORYTELLER IN THE JAZZ REALM.

While some singers make claim by including evergreens from the Great American Songbook in their repertoire, Jane Irving is a true jazz singer. A risk taker with lavish talent and striking originality, Jane is a truly gifted musician who possesses an emotive style.

Born in Sydney, Australia, Jane Irving has spent most of her life surrounded by music. From the age of six, she began classical piano tuition which continued through the end of school when she gained Third Place in her state for piano performance. Discovering jazz in her early teens by way of attending local jazz camps was the door that further opened a new musical world for her. By the age of seventeen, Jane had put together enough of a repertoire to start working as a solo pianist/singer which continued for a few years until she was asked by a local guitar player to do a gig singing standards. "With a band behind me, a microphone in front of me and no piano to hide behind -I felt so free. That’s when I really got hooked on singing!”.

In 2011, Irving moved to New York with bassist, husband, Kevin Hailey. She has quickly made her mark on the scene, working solidly at various venues in and around the city including NYC’s beloved 55 Bar and Birdland Jazz Club.

"Her cheery feel-good music making is as uplifting and mellow as it can get, with alluring improvising that is bound to stay with you for a long time." Singer's Singers - Dan Singer, New York City.

Supporting Musicians: Bassist, Kevin Hailey was born in Canberra, Australia in 1975. During high school Kevin began playing the electric bass and in 1991 took up the double bass and commenced jazz studies at the Canberra School Of Music where he earned his diploma. 

While in Canberra Kevin received lessons from the likes of, Lee Konitz, Mark Murphy, Niels Henning Ørsted Pedersen and Mike Nock.

In 1998 Kevin moved to Sydney and began working primarily in the jazz scene. Accompanying artists such as Dale Barlow, Galapagos Duck, Sydney All Star Band, The Australian Girls Choir, Matt Baker, Max Sharam and singer Jeff Duff, with whom he recorded two albums, as well as performing seasons at the Sydney Opera House and Adelaide cabaret festival.

In December of 2011 Kevin moved to New York City where he has been living in Brooklyn, making a niche for himself in the jazz scene, working with artists including Ron Affif, Carol Sudhalter, Jane Irving, Marion Cowings, Jason Yeager, Andromeda Turre and Daniel Bennett.

In 2015, Kevin was the recipient of the Hot House Magazine Jazz Fan’s Decision award for Best Bass Player.