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Heather Ferguson

"Lush, expertly performed, and with an engaging setlist. Ferguson will fill the room with her silky smooth notes...Mike Devlin, Times Colonist

About Me

Called a “jazz sensation” by one writer, with another calling Heather Ferguson’s music, “lush, expertly performed, with an engaging setlist and…she will fill the room with her silky-smooth notes”. Heather’s journey to music was long and winding but the singer, based in Victoria, Canada, is becoming known for her interpretations of great 20th century songs.

A family move took Ferguson from Toronto to a new home in Victoria, Canada, where she was one of the first to enroll in jazz vocals at the Victoria Conservatory’s newly opened Chywll Contemporary School. After that it was just layers and layers of music for years after. During that time she found like- minded musicians who wanted to start a band so she cornered the great bassist Joey Smith at a gig one night to ask him to coach.

Under Joey Smith’s mentorship Heather eventually graduated to solo shows at Victoria’s storied Hermann’s Jazz Club and then to recording, and the release of singles on various streaming services with producer Wynn Gogol.

A dynamic and consummate performer with a smouldering sound and a soulful warm voice, Ferguson’s music can be found on streaming platforms including Spotify, YouTube and Apple and on many curated playlists.

My Jazz Story

I met the late singer Trudy Desmond, sister to Paul, in the 1990's. Watching her perform, jazz felt natural and fun, like an old friend. I wanted to sing jazz very badly but for some reason I felt it was not possible for me - so I just hung on to that feeling. It was not until years later that the way-in became clear and I started singing again at Big Voice Studio in Toronto. That reignited a love I first discovered in choirs and university and it felt like the floodgates opened. Music is a lifelong passion I didn’t ever think would happen for me. But later in life the stars aligned. I think it helps that I am an incurable, lifelong learner and with jazz I find the work gets more interesting the deeper you go. Now I am recording and performing with some of Victoria’s most accomplished jazz musicians. My debut album Lush Life is out Fall of 2022 and my daily life is filled with joy and a lot of music. It’s a second set for me, one I am embracing with all the passion and hard work I put to everything I do.