Jane Vasey

Jane Elizabeth Vasey (1949 – July 7, 1982) was a Canadian blues piano player, best known for her years playing with the Downchild Blues Band. Vasey played with the band from 1973 until her death, from leukemia, on July 7, 1982.[1]

Biography

Prior to joining the Downchild Blues Band, Vasey earned a Master's degree in Music from the University of Manitoba. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Art.[2] One of the first blues artists she heard was Otis Spann; one of her first recordings with the Downchild Blues Band was Otis Spann's "Must Have Been The Devil".[3] Her song, "Trying To Keep Her 88s Straight" was considered to be a minor Canadian hit in 1980.[4] Vasey played on all of the singles released by the band.[5]

One of Vasey's last engagements was in January 1982, supporting Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, playing three sets per night over the course of a week at Toronto's Albert's Hall (above the Brunswick House Tavern), despite being weakened by illness. Vinson later described her as "one of the good ones".[3]

After her death, The Jane Vasey Memorial Scholarship was established at Brandon University, to sponsor keyboard students. The scholarship fund was established by Vasey's late parents, Ross and Dorothy Vasey,[6] as well as The Downchild Blues Band, and each year distributes scholarships to students in piano performance. The initial benefit performance in support of the scholarship fund occurred at the Brunswick Tavern, within weeks of her death. In addition to the Downchild Blues Band, such artists as Sunnyland Slim, John Hammond and David Wilcox appeared in support of the fund.[7] The Downchild Blues Band continues to fund the scholarship through benefit performances.[8]

Vasey is buried at Brookside Cemetery, in Winnipeg.[9]

Discography (with Downchild Blues Band)

Singles

Albums

References

  1. ↑ The Canadian Pop Encyclopedia, Biography of Downchild Blues Band; www.jam.canoe.ca.
  2. ↑ Richard Flohill, Remembering Jane Vasey. Toronto Blues Society newsletter, October, 1986, as reprinted by the Toronto Blues Society, 2000; www.torontobluessociety.com. Includes Jane Vasey photos.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Richard Flohill, Remembering Jane Vasey. Toronto Blues Society newsletter, October, 1986, as reprinted by the Toronto Blues Society, 2000; www.torontobluessociety.com.
  4. ↑ Encyclopedia of Music in Canada, Biography of The Downchild Blues Band; www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com.
  5. ↑ The "single release" period of The Downchild Blues Band was from 1973 to 1981; no singles have been released since.
  6. ↑ Vasey's mother Dorothy died on January 28, 2008, having been predeceased by her second husband, Ross Vasey. In lieu of flowers, it was suggested that memorial gifts be made to the Jane Vasey Memorial Scholarship. See Obituary of Dorothy Mary Vasey, February 1, 2008; www.passagesmb.com. Ross Vasey was a 1931 graduate of Brandon College, as it then was; see 2001 Message from the President of the Brandon University Foundation; www.alumni.brandonu.ca. While the University has a School of Music, it is unclear whether the Brandon University association is via Jane, who graduated from the University of Manitoba, or primarily via her father.
  7. ↑ Richard Flohill, Remembering Jane Vasey. Toronto Blues Society newsletter, October, 1986, as reprinted by the Toronto Blues Society, 2000; www.torontobluessociety.com.
  8. ↑ See, for example, Downchild Blues Band to Play Benefit for Jane Vasey Memorial Scholarship Fund. News release, November 3, 2007; www.1888pressrelease.com.
  9. ↑ Jane Vasey bio and interment particulars; www.findagrave.com. Includes Jane Vasey photo.