Jane L. Powell – Goddess of Soul

artist bio:

Jane L. Powell began her singing career in Roanoke, VA and has since demonstrated her soulful style and remarkable vocal range to audiences throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and the Caribbean. If you were so unlucky as to have missed her live show, you still may have heard Jane singing in a national McDonald’s advertisement, or you may have seen and heard her performances in the Dino DeLaurentis film “Marie” or in the 1999 New Line Cinema comedy, “The Bachelor.”

Ms. Powell brings her own style to a song…be it an original composition, a classic R&B or Blues tune, a Jazz standard, a contemporary dance number, a raw Reggae groove, or a Gospel anthem. Jane quickly captivates any audience with her musical flexibility, open and playful personality, and often spicy and spontaneous sense of humor. She has performed for demographically diverse audiences at college campuses, on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, at corporate functions, in nightclubs, at resort hotels, and at large outdoor festivals and fairs. Indeed, the 1300 colleges and universities comprising the National Association for Campus Activities voted Jane Entertainer of the Year (1990), Jazz Artist of the Year (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995), and winner of the Performing Arts/Music award (1992, 1993) making her the most honored performer in the history of the organization! The readers of Campus Activities Today magazine voted Ms. Powell 1993 Best Contemporary Performer and winner of the 1993 Best Performance award. Jane has also opened or worked with such acts as Lou Rawls, The Crusaders, Joan Jett, Freddie Jackson, Melba Moore, B.J. Thomas, Koko Taylor, Ernie Watts, Wayne Henderson, Paula Poundstone, and Ray Charles. In reference to her opening for Ray Charles, the Washington Post said, “She stole the night from a legend.” Jane’s latest CD releases include “Lady Jane in London”, a collection of Jazz standards where she is accompanied by Great Britain’s top Jazz artists, as well as an R&B CD featuring Hamish Stuart and other musicians who work for Average White Band, Van Morrison, and Incognito. Ms. Powell’s 2004 full-length feature concert/documentary DVD, “Jane L. Powell Live at Mill Mountain Theatre- One Night Only,” was filmed in her hometown of Roanoke, VA, where she has consistently won yearly “Best Vocalist” awards throughout her career. Additionally, in 2007 Jane was a featured performer for Queen Elizabeth II and Governor Kaine of Virginia during the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown Colony.

Jane L. Powell is a natural artist to span the Millenniums. She possesses the depth of experience to draw upon the rich traditions of popular music, blend them with her unique vocal abilities and vibrant personality, and create music to uplift any audience. And besides…singing from the heart and a little wit never go out of style!