Jane started singing at age 5, on a local New York TV show called Moser Starlites

Jane started singing at age 5, on a local New York TV show called Moser Starlites, and never stopped. Her first song was “Me and My Teddy Bear”.

A few years later she studied at Charlie Lowe’s School of Tap and Personality, (in New York City) along side Christopher Walken and Jeff Conaway.

Jane grew up in Jersey City, N.J and to accommodate the auditions, matinee performances, fashion and advertising modeling jobs that would come up, it was necessary to go to a “professional” school in NYC. The school was Quintano’s School For Young Professionals where she studied (and played hooky) with her friends, Bernadette Peters, Greg Hines, Z (formerly known as Bruce Scott), Bonnie Bedelia, Michele Conaway, Patty Duke and many others. School friend, Bernadette Peters, helped her get her first Off Broadway show, “Curley McDimple” where she sang, tap danced and acted with the legendary Butterfly McQueen.

You’ve probably heard her voice many times since then, singing commercials for Bain de Soleil, Chevrolet’s “Heartbeat of America”, Freedent Gum, Hawaiian Punch, Datsun / Nissan, Light & Lively and many other National TV and radio jingles written and produced by Joey Levine at Crushing Enterprises. Jane sang these jingles solo as well as in ensembles with Valerie Simpson, Patti Austin and Shawn Colvin. You’ve also heard her singing background on a number of artists’ albums, such as Barry Manilow.

Jane portrayed Joan Baez, in a production of Richard Farina’s “Long Time Comin’ A Long Time Gone” with Richard Gere, Vicki Sue Robinson and Jessica Harper. She was also in Joe Papp’s N.Y. Shakespeare Festival Summer Jazz Theatre with jazz greats Woody Shaw, Harold Vic and Freddie Waites.

She loved the theatre experience and loved singing almost every night, after the show, at the original Improv (44th Street/NYC) and Steve Paul’s” The Scene”.

“ I had the chance to really cut my teeth, working with so many terrifically talented people, especially my good friend, the late Charlie Smalls (composer of “The Wiz”), Ellen Starr, Kenny Rankin, Baby Jane Dexter, Lou Gossett Jr., Danny Aiello, Freddie Prinze and many other musicians, actors and comics. I learned a lot from each one and we all had a ball!” It was there, that a very beautiful and talented new singer/composer, Kathe Green (daughter of composer Johnny Green), asked Jane to sing with her at The Rainbow Room NYC. It was there that she sang with Grammy winner K.T. Oslin, as an opening act for Sid Caesar.

Jane had an interesting side job working the coat check concession at Budd Friedman’s, The Improv. She also had the distinction of being the only musical act that Budd chose to manage. He invested in a good sound system for her at The Improv, to support her soft, jazzy style. Thad Jones was so impressed with her talent, that he arranged a special event, featuring Jane with The Thad Jones//Mel Lewis Quintet at this landmark club. This all-star band consisted of Roland Hanna, Jon Faddis, George Mraz, Thad Jones and Mel Lewis. That was and still is one of her favorite musical experiences.

“Payin’ dues”, as they say, Jane has sung at all the major (and not so major) hotels in the Catskill Mountains. She worked with her 7-piece band “Airtight” at literally thousands of private parties, corporate dinners, and special events in the New York / New Jersey area. This not only helped pay the rent, it’s where she met and worked with some of the best musicians, who’ve become her closest friends and colleagues. It was on one of those dates that she met (and soon after, married) her favorite, drummer and vocalist Rick De Kovessey. “Regardless of the venue, the music was good…in fact it was smokin’!”

Some of the great musicians and singers Jane has performed live or recorded with are: Bob DeVos, Vic Juris, Walt Weiskopf, Bill Warfield, Gerry Niewood, Tom “Bones” Malone, Dick Oatts, Glen Drews, Rick Crane, Willy Dalton, Ed Palermo, Gary Keller, Gradie Stone, Chris Palmera, Alan Won, Jimmy Vivino, Scott Healy, Darmon Meader, Jerry Vivino, Bill Tesar, Andy Fusco, Carl Latham, John Mosca, Ed Alstrom, Peter Yellin, John Rosch, Jimmy Young, Gary Dial, Gary Haberman, Mitch Scheckter, Mark Minchello, John Hughes, Frank Pagano, Mark Friedman, Charlie Jones, Mark Sganga, Ted Brancato, Bob Himmelberger, Mark Berger, John Arbo, Charlie Descarfino, This list really could on and on!

Jane is currently working with many musical projects. She recently re-united with Nick DeLaura’s concept band “Strange Weather”, whose Frank Zappa style of writing keeps things interesting. The band members, all long time friends, are: Gary Haberman, Frank Elmo, Chuck Sastre, Jimmy Young, John Cariddi and Jerry Tedesco.

In the New York State area, Jane sings with the 19-piece jazz swing band,“Reflections”. Jane plays percussion and sings with The Arthur Miller Band in the NY / NJ area. These performances feature Arthur’s wonderfully funny and often poignant music and lyrics. Jane continues to perform with her trio in the NY / NJ area. Check her calendar for dates and places for her gigs.“I love the diversity of all the projects I’m involved with.”

Jane’s debut CD, “Beginning To See The Light”, has already received a fantastic response. It is produced and arranged by Jane with Rave Tesar.

She swings with ease and sings the ballads with depth and feeling. The terrific performances by Rave Tesar, Rick De Kovessey, Lenny Argese, Vinnie Cutro, Frank Elmo, Conrad Zulauf, Dan Nigro, Frankie Valdes, Sue Williams and Kermit Driscoll are a perfect compliment to Jane’s strong vocals. There is a very honest and warm feel to the entire recording. It’s obvious that this group has been playing together for quite awhile and shares an affinity and history together.

The beautiful design and photography by Janis Wilkins, for “Beginning To See The Light” is the perfect touch for this top-notch product.
http://www.janestuartmusic.com/bio.htm