I met and photographed her when she was playing with the Canadian group, Downchild Blues Band.
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I was happy to find this rare footage that showcases the brilliance of Jane Vasey...
Most of the photographs on this blog are available to own. Please inquire via email to info@cheshercat.com. You can also see lots more pictures and learn more about Jane Vasey and the 47 other musicians in my tribute book, Everybody I Shot Is Dead.
11 comments:
I remember Jane very well, anyone who saw and heard her play fell in love with her, me included. I remember in the late '70's they would play at a couple of venues in Kitchener, Ontario on a regular basis. At one gig during a break Donny Walsh (Mr. Downchild) was having a beer at the bar with his brother Hock, the break was not quite finished but Jane must have been bored, went on stage and started playing. I went up to Donny and said, "hey man she's great why not let her play a set on her own". I don't think he was too amused and replied she more or less does anyway.
Thanks for remebering Jane.
Cheers,
Ken Stratford, Ont.
I use to work in a Restaurant,Charlottesville,Va., that had a nightclub downstairs. The restaurant,The Virginian, had a club called The West Virginian downstairs. Downchild use to play there and I got to know Janie a little bit during breaks and we would let the band hang out after closing to have a few cocktails.This was in the real late 70's and early eighties. I did not know she passed. She was a beautiful girl and seemed to be a kindred spirit. Wish I had made some tapes of their live music. Oh, well. Glad someone thought to capture her image. Keep up the good work. She will be remembered. Mike, Charlotte,NC. They probably played here too in the DoubleDoor Inn.
I WAS JUST FOOLING AROUND ON THE COMPUTER THIS MORNING AND GOOOGLED JANE. I HAVE THE ORIGINAL OF THAT PICTURE. I AM HER OLDER SISTER AND SHE GAVE IT TO ME FOR CHRISTMAS IN 1977
RIP Janey,
saw her play at the Ontario Place Forum when the Powder Blues opened for Downchild... would have been 1980.. man she could play, keep her 88's straight ;)....
Well I remember Jane very well. I must be in the 99.8 percentile. I followed Downchild around like a groupie because of Jane. I SO wanted to be like Jane and play the piano like her! This brings back incredible memories. She was SO talented! Those were great years. I even remember speaking with her when Downchild played in London, ON - must have been in 1981. She told me she had been ill. She died the following year. So sad. I loved her so.
You're her older sister? That makes you either my mom or my aunt (who passed away 2 years ago). So...how's things, ma?
Wait...unless you're Anne?
I'm clearly going to have to revisit this thread when its not 2:30am.
To Chesher Cat (your name spelling is atrocious): I love this photo. It hangs in my foyer. As a guy who makes his living as a photographer, I pass on my heartfelt gratitude for catching this moment when I was too young to even know what an aperture was.
Jane was amazing I met jane when I was a little boy about 7 she dated my uncle Gilbert good times in river canard we will all get to see her again one day and she can pay her 88s again no one like her has ever been placed on this earth god took an angel that day we miss you and will see ya very soon love always your little rascal
Jane and I were together for a time in the late 60's. I remember her well. She was a masterpiece of nature.
g
I do remember seeing Downchild Blues Band quite often in Ottawa bars around 1978-1980 when I was a young student at Ottawa Univ. I just loved the band and bought most of their albums. The band was great but all my attention was captured by this wonderful piano player. You could feel the music in her....and boy was she ever pretty. I was secretly in love with her. All I can say now 40 years later, Jane may no longer be with us but she is on our mind in in our hearts. She and DBB made me love the blues.
I miss her. You are not forgotten dear Jane.
Guy Houle (Gatineau-Ottawa area).
Dear Jane
July 6 again...after all these years I turn to you. You still inspire me as you did then. GK
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