Performing in front of an audience is no easy task, but for Tess Buckley a sixteen-year-old singer, songwriter and composer it's an exhilarating experience, which she loves doing.
Whether she’s performing at a gala, fundraiser or in her school’s choir, she uses her passion for singing as a way to express herself and to communicate with the crowds.
As her fingers gently stroke the keys of the piano she entertains them with the beautiful classics of great jazz artists like Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and more.
“It’s just such a great way to communicate with people because I feel like music is such a universal language,” said Buckley. “I just love connecting with someone on that level or telling a story that they have experienced, are going through or will experience."
Buckley started singing jazz at the beginning of Grade 6 in her school’s jazz choir, which was run by Jennifer Johnson, an amazing person who introduced her to the genre.
“The first jazz song I learned was Summertime by Billie Holiday and that was the song that got me into jazz choir,” said Buckley. “There are so many classics with such beautiful stories. Jazz is one of those genres that’s just so soulful and there is really nothing that compares to jazz for me.”
“I’ve always wanted to bring jazz back, because I feel like it’s one of those lost treasures where a lot of people are missing out on.”
Buckley will be performing two sets of jazz music between 30 and 45 minutes long at Jonathans on Tuesday, May 24th at 7:00pm.
“I’m really excited to be returning to perform at Johnathans,” said Buckley. “I’ve been working on my set, which is all new songs except for Summertime. I always perform Summertime because it’s a bit of home for me when I sing that song.”
Photo Credit: Tess BuckleyPhoto Credit: Tess Buckley