Jennifer Gasoi (born ) is a Canadian children's musician, noted for her albums ''Songs For You'' and ''Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well''.

Early life

Born and raised in

Vancouver Vancouver is a major city in Western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the cit ...

British Columbia British Columbia is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Situated in the Pacific Northwest between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains, the province has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that ...

, Gasoi graduated from

McGill University McGill University (French: Université McGill) is an English-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1821 by royal charter,Frost, Stanley Brice. ''McGill University, Vol. I. For the Advancement of Learning, ...

with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work in 1996. While at McGill, Gasoi joined a jazz choir led by

Ranee Lee Ranee Lee, CM is an American jazz singer and musician who resides in Montreal, Quebec. She is also an actor, author, educator and television host. Referred as “''Montreal's Queen of Jazz,''” Lee is a Juno Award winner, two-time Top Canadian ...

. After graduation, Gasoi further developed her jazz skills at

Capilano University Capilano University (CapU) is a teaching-focused public university based in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, located on the slopes of the North Shore Mountains, with programming that also serves the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and the Sunshi ...

's jazz program.

Career

During her post-graduate years in Vancouver, Gasoi sung in local jazz concerts with Linton Garner. She appeared at the

Vancouver International Jazz Festival The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is a jazz festival held every summer in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The festival grew out of a local jazz scene that centred on Vancouver Co-op Radio (CFRO-FM), a community radio station, in the ...

from 1999 to 2001. She moved to Montreal in 2002 and two years afterwards released her first children's album, ''Songs For You''. In late 2012, she released her second children's album, ''Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well''. The album was nominated for the Children's Album of the Year at the

2013 Juno Awards The Juno Awards of 2013 honoured Canadian music industry achievements in the latter part of 2011 and in most of 2012. The awards were presented in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, during the weekend of 20–21 April 2013. The main ceremony was host ...

. It was also nominated for the

56th Annual Grammy Awards The 56th Annual Grammy Awards presentation was held on January 26, 2014, at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show was broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT and was hosted for the third time by LL Cool J. The show was moved to January to avoid co ...

in 2014, winning the award for Best Children's Album. Gasoi is the first Canadian to win a Grammy in that category.

Discography

* ''Songs for You'' (2004) * ''Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well'' (2012)

Awards and recognition

* 2005:

Juno Awards of 2005 The Juno Awards of 2005 were held 3 April at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba and were hosted by comedian Brent Butt. Avril Lavigne and k-os won three awards each, while Billy Talent and Feist won 2 apiece. Nominations were announced 7 Feb ...

, nominee, Children's Album of the Year, ''Songs For You'' * 2013:

Juno Awards of 2013 The Juno Awards of 2013 honoured Canadian music industry achievements in the latter part of 2011 and in most of 2012. The awards were presented in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, during the weekend of 20–21 April 2013. The main ceremony was host ...

, nominee, Children's Album of the Year, ''Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well'' * 2013: 9th Canadian Folk Music Awards, nominee, Children's Album of the Year * 2014:

Grammy Award for Best Children's Album The Grammy Award for Best Children's Album (from 2020: Grammy Award for Best Children's Music Album) is an honor presented since 2012 at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards. Hono ...

, winner Archived page url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064734/https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/Montreal+based+Vancouverraised+Jennifer+Gasoi+wins+first/9432121/story.html

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gasoi, Jennifer Living people 1970s births Canadian children's musicians Grammy Award winners McGill University School of Social Work alumni Musicians from Vancouver Capilano University alumni Year of birth missing (living people)