Born in Brantford Ontario, Janet studied classical piano from the age of six and continued with that and alto saxophone, throughout high school and University of Western Ontario, London. Receiving her Royal Conservatory A.R.C.T., and her Bachelor of Musical Arts, she decided against Teacher's College and instead joined a touring show band. She discovered how little she really knew about music and returned to school - Humber College, Toronto, in the jazz program. She joined another touring show band and fell in love with the West Coast. Since 1980, Victoria has been her home, with a couple of years in Vancouver and travelling/performing in Asia/Australia. She also occasionally works on cruise ships.
Jan studied classically with Nora Langton, Tina Yanchus and Clifford Von Kuster (first Dean of Western's Faculty of Music). One of the highlights of her youth was playing sax in North Park and Brantford Memorial Concert Bands with Wilf Manning. He could coax beautiful sounds from the wildest kids! In Victoria Jan was profoundly influenced by the teachings of Dr. Anthony Genge. When returning to Ontario to visit family she has had lessons with Don Thompson, and in Port Townsend she studied with Alan Broadbent, Kenny Werner and George Cables. In Ontario, drummer Phil Barrette set up gigs with himself, Don Thompson, Pat Collins, and Kieran Overs. Friends, Kieran and Tony Genge suggested she record in Toronto with Kieran and Davide DiRenzo, which is how 'Prisms of Light' was made.
Jan started a trio that performed for five years at the Pan Pacific Hotel, Vancouver. Patty Hervey/Gannon was on bass throughout, but the third member changed regularly. On sax was Monik Nordine, Karen Graves, Ross Taggart, Al Wold, Roy Reynolds, Campbell Ryga, Jack Stafford, and ultimately, on guitar, Oliver Gannon. Jan loved this experience so much she commuted from Victoria for four years to play with her friends.
In Victoria Jan plays solo, duo or trio combinations with Dick Smith on sax, and Joey Smith, or Dave Augustin on bass. From Sept. 07-Feb./08 Jan was pianist/vocalist in Michael's Lounge on the Celebrity Cruise Line, touring Alaska, the Panama and South America. She performs regularly at the Lieutenant Governor's of B.C., the Union Club, Hermann's Jazz Club and all the large hotels. She is in demand supplying entertainment at numerous private functions.
