Janet Evra

Janet Irvine Buchanan, (born 4 July 1988) popularly known as Janet Evra, is an English-born vocalist, bassist, guitarist, songwriter and bandleader. Evra sings in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French and performs in jazz, indie jazz, French jazz, bossa nova, samba, and Latin jazz styles.[1]

Janet Evra
Background information
Birth nameJanet Kimberley Irvine
Born (1988-07-04) July 4, 1988
OriginGloucester, England
GenresLatin jazz, samba, jazz, indie jazz, French jazz, bossa nova
Occupation(s)Jazz singer/bassist
LabelsLotown, Plum Jazz
Websitejanetevra.com

Early life

Janet Irvine was born in Gloucester, England. She grew up in a musical household and learned the piano, cello, and guitar as a child.[2]

She was a member of Cheltenham indie rock band Knave in 2006, performing on vocals and rhythm guitar.

She received a B.A. from Principia College in Elsah, Illinois, and a M.S. from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability in Ann Arbor, Michigan.[3] She then lived in Alton, Illinois and worked in the sustainability field for an environmental non-profit.[4] She then moved to St. Louis, Missouri.

Career

Evra performs at music events and concerts in the US and Europe. She has performed in Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, and at the 2019 Deva Jazz Festival in Romania and the 2021 Linna Jazz Festival in Finland.[5]

Evra released her debut album Ask Her to Dance in 2018.[4][6][7] In 2019 Evra released 'Wish You Were Here', a single, and in 2020 she released singles 'Summer Love Song', 'Floating on Life', and 'I'd Rather Be Lonely With You'.[8]  Evra signed with Lotown Records in 2020.[9] In 2021 Evra released her second album, Janet Evra & Ptah Williams: New Friends, Old Favorites; the album received national jazz radio play in the US.[10] In 2022 Evra signed with Plum Jazz and released her third album Hello Indie Bossa.[11][12] In 2013 Evra released a single "Almost True" featuring Randy Brecker.

Evra has collaborated with Randy Brecker, Taylor Eigsti, Andrea Motis, Tracy Silverman, Bob Reynolds, Sara Gazarek, Mohini Dey, Severi Pyysalo, Yusa, Jeff Coffin, Roy Wooten, Eric Marienthal, Chad Lefkowitz-Brown, Ptah Williams, and Diego Figueiredo among other musicians.[13][11] Evra was a 2019-2020 Artist in Residence at the Kranzberg Arts Foundation in St. Louis, USA.[14][15] She is the co-creator of St. Louis Music Box, a social media music video series.[16]

Evra also leads the musical group The Bon Bon Plot performing French jazz music.[4]

Personal life

Evra is married to Will Buchanan, a guitarist and producer. The two regularly perform together.[4][16]

References
  1. "SLM Live: Janet Evra". www.stlmag.com. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  2. Tribune, EMEA. "Janet Evra Biography: Interesting Facts & Music Review". Latest Breaking News From US, Europe & World. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  3. "Janet Buchanan | Center for Sustainable Systems". css.umich.edu. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  4. Schaeffer, Christian. "The Bon Bon Plot's Janet Evra Takes Center Stage with Her Solo Debut". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  5. "Janet Evra tours in Finland in August - Jazz Finland". jazzfinland.fi. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  6. Jazz, All About. "Janet Evra: Ask Her to Dance album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  7. "Reviews: Janet Evra - Ask Her To Dance". Gesso Magazine. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  8. Miserez, Laura (18 July 2020). "Behind the scenes of Janet Evra's new single, "Summer Love Song"". www.stlmag.com. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  9. "Janet Evra". Lotown Records. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
  10. "Janet Evra & Ptah Williams: New Friends & Old Favorites (Lotown Records)". JazzWeek CD Releases. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  11. "Plum Jazz". plumjazz.com. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  12. "Hello Indie Bossa". JAZZIZ Magazine. Retrieved 28 April 2022.
  13. Johnson, Kevin C. "Janet Evra delivers a fresh, romantic jazz spin to St. Louis' music scene". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  14. Johnson, Kevin C. "Open Air Concert Series will continue in 2021 with 40 weeks of music". STLtoday.com. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  15. "Music Artists-in-Residence Archives". Kranzberg Arts Foundation. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  16. Miserez, Laura (17 August 2021). "With the St. Louis Music Box Series, musicians Janet Evra and Will Buchanan find a new passion project". www.stlmag.com. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
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