This Sunday, February 16th, Filipino-Canadian jazz singer Jovelle Balani will take the stage at The Fort Garry Hotel, showcasing her stunning contralto voice and captivating Winnipeg’s jazz lovers with a blend of classic tunes and original material.
Renowned for her stunning contralto voice, Balani is quickly becoming a standout in Winnipeg’s jazz scene. She wowed audiences at the 2024 TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival and, in 2022, represented Canada at the World Championship of Performing Arts, often referred to as the "World Talent Olympics," in Anaheim, California.
Inspired by singers such as Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Norah Jones, and Adele, Balani has made it her mission to reintroduce the classic sound of the club jazz singer to younger audiences.
In the process, she has gathered fans and social media followers from far and wide, performing at venues all over the city, including The Centennial Concert Hall, the Burton Cummings Theatre, and Canada Life Centre.
Born and raised in the Philippines, Balani and her family moved to Canada in 2018. Music was always present in the Balani household, and it was an artistic force that drew her in. “I remember listening to a lot of The Carpenters. I give credit to my dad—he listens to The Beatles, The Eagles, and The Carpenters, and I instantly fell in love with it,” says Balani.
Balani began taking voice lessons at twelve, her talent and determination unwavering. However, it was when she discovered vinyl records that she truly caught the jazz bug. As she explains, “I decided to start collecting vinyl records, and I stumbled upon Nat King Cole, Gregory Porter, and Carmen McRae. I was just like, ‘Oh my goodness, these voices really resonate with my voice.’”
Pursuing jazz was initially intimidating for Balani. "I had never even dared to perform jazz because I come from a pop background. But during the pandemic, I decided I wanted to pursue jazz voice." With her raw talent and guidance from jazz mentors, Balani quickly established herself as a vocal force in Winnipeg. One of her most influential mentors was Winnipeg jazz legend Nadia Douglas, who mentored Balani through Creative Manitoba’s Professional Mentors Program. Reflecting on Douglas’s impact, Balani says, "She not only shared technical knowledge but also life lessons that I continue to apply. She taught me how to conduct myself both on and off stage—it was invaluable."
Balani will be performing songs from the Great American Songbook as well as some of her own original material. Joining her on stage will be Ayman Linzag on piano, Marcus Michienzi on drums, Johnny Yau on bass, Kian Calinisan on saxophone, and Andrew Viray on guitar.
Balani has made it her mission to bring the sound of a small jazz combo with a jazz singer to younger audiences. "I hope the younger audiences feel inspired, and I hope this experience will be a gateway for them to listen to jazz music." One of the ways she makes the art form relevant for Gen Z is by arranging modern songs in a jazz format. As she explains, "The postmodern jukebox approach—creating jazz arrangements for modern pop music—is what attracts them."
From a performance perspective, Balani says, "More than anything, I hope people have a great time and develop an appreciation for jazz." Reflecting on her musical and Filipino roots, she adds, "I hope my community feels a sense of pride knowing that a Filipino is making her mark on that stage."
Balani is a fabulous new talent on the Winnipeg jazz scene. The concert this Sunday at The Fort Garry Hotel will be an opportunity to see a star on the rise.
Jovelle Balani performs this Sunday night, February 16th, at 7 pm at The Fort Garry Hotel.
