International jazz vocalist Tammy Weis returns to her Canadian roots in Vancouver performances

By Joe Leary | Aug 17, 2010

Life has certainly been something of a whirlwind of late for former Vancouverite Tammy Weis.

Once one of this city’s most-promising emerging jazz vocalists, the Edmonton-born artist packed up and moved her home base to London, England, shortly after the release of her debut CD ten years ago and has since seen her career reach unprecedented heights.

Saying that she packed up shop and relocated to Britain “because there are so many artists I want to work with and I like the openness of their music scene”, Weis has since collaborated with such musical talents as Jamie Cullum and Bobby McFerrin, has been nominated for the London Jazz Vocalist of the Year, and just recently had the opportunity to travel in Royal circles, being invited to a private reception for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip.

“It was really incredible,” she tells me of the meeting that took place at the residence of Canada’s High Commissioner in London. “She was very kind and made me feel at ease and seemed genuinely interested in what I was doing in London. I felt very honoured to meet her.”

Photographs are taken at such exclusive occasions, but Tammy acknowledges that there are certain restrictions on what you can do with the pictures. “You’re not allowed to post them on Facebook,” she says.

The Tammy Weis Quartet, live in performance

Tammy will be performing August 29 at Vancouver’s St. Andrew’s-Wesley and September 2 at Cellar Jazz. You can also order her new album Where I Need to Be on iTunes or on her website www.tammyweis.com.

Joe Biz Prize Giveaway - Enter to win

Own a piece of Canadian history and relive all the magic moments of our national glory with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games Commemorative Edition DVD Box Set.

Created by Canada’s Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium, this collector’s box set captures the triumphs, the pride and patriotism of the Games. Featuring more than 20 hours of stories, highlights from every sport, interviews with every Canadian Olympian who competed, and profiles on every Canadian medal.

This five-disc set also features the lighting of both Olympic cauldrons and includes more than 90 minutes of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

For a chance to win, click here >