Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
Singer-songwriter Chantal Thompson will headline an upcoming Live at the Museum event, held Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Lennox and Addington Museum and Archives.
A self-taught musician, Thompson’s style covers a wide range of genres, drawing influence from the many countries she’s lived in or toured over her vast career, such as New York City, Russia and France.
“People can expect an evening of jazz and soul with some familiar songs and some originals,” Thompson said of her Feb. 28 show in Napanee. “It’ll be a nice, intimate and beautiful show.”
She’ll be joined on stage by Rich Bannard (drums), Paul Clifford (bass) and Paul Morrison (piano).
She lists her influences as Diana Krall, Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and Ornette Coleman.
Thompson’s musical journey has led her to explore all genres, starting with her first band, known as JOYY, which she fronted while studying Philosophy at Queen’s University. From there she formed a seven piece nu-jazz band called Directions. They toured across Canada, playing the Montreal Jazz Festival as well as being the top pick at the Jazz Cafe in London, England. During this time she also composed songs for the TV series Metropolis and a Canadian Indie Film known as Amatuer Night.
More recently, she moved to New York where she completed her first solo jazz album, Sirens & Stars.
She now calls Gananoque, On. home.
“Right now I am a jazz vocalist and I’m composing as well,” she said. “When I started I was doing a lot of blues, R’n’B and some experimental performance art, like Laurie Anderson. I went to art school and I’m a multidisciplinary artists so I have a lot of different interests in terms of how you express yourself through different artistic mediums. I moved into jazz more because it seemed to be the style of music where you encompass almost everything.”
She also noted that jazz allowed her to combine her love of writing poetry into her song lyrics.
When it comes to writing, she says she’s often inspired subconsciously, unaware at the time that something she’s experiencing in the moment could serve as later inspiration.
“You’re attached to things and you’re not quite sure why,” she said. “Things kind of get into your subconscious and they fit together and they transform into music. Of course there’s a technical working away that you have to do to refine it, to realize it in its own form. I’m kind of a sponge, I get drawn to a lot.”
Her song-writing ability will also be on display as she showcases some of her original work during her Live at the Museum appearance. Thompson is currently working with some of Kingston’s top jazz musicians on her latest recording, some of which she will also perform during next week’s show.
Tickets are $3 each and will be available at the door. The museum is located at 97 Thomas Street E in Napanee.