Jane West is a versatile singer/rhythm guitarist from Pennsylvania, effortlessly blending Americana vocal influences like Emmylou Harris & Bobbie Gentry with contemporary sounds reminiscent of Lake Street Dive & Margo Price. Jane’s been captivating audiences in the greater Pittsburgh area and beyond at various events and locations* for years.
Having been immersed in music ever since she started singing into her Fisher-Price tape recorder at about two years old, Jane’s passion for music was nurtured through her parents’ cassette tapes, her grandparents’ records, and the joy of FM radio. To this day she longs to hear her grandfather practice his tuba like he used to when she would visit. Years later this would explain why she can’t focus on just performing one genre.
While singing came naturally to her, Jane initially began her instrumental journey on the violin at 9, followed by piano, then guitar at 16 (changing everything). Classical vocal studies began around 17 and things got serious. Many ups and downs got her to where she is today- focusing primarily on developing her voice outside the classical world, particularly in vocal harmony and arranging, has earned her a well-deserved reputation as an exceptional backup singer. Presently Jane focuses on accompanying herself on guitar while manifesting being a Steely Dan backup singer.
This songbird’s musical journey is characterized by a refusal to be confined to singing a single genre. Having studied classical music extensively, she has seamlessly transitioned into singing rock, pop, jazz, bluegrass, and country. Furthermore, Jane has experience performing choral, Celtic, blues, musical theater, and barbershop. As time progresses she continues to explore and learn about different genres, further expanding her musical repertoire. This explains people pleasing in Jane: she has a hard time saying no to song requests, even if she may not know the song!
When she’s not soloing, Jane focuses on performing Americana music with her former guitar teacher, Joe Golden, of Westmoreland String Workshop. Jane also has been seen performing with her former high school choir teacher, Mike Leu (percussionist), on occasion in the last few years.
Although Jane tends to shy away from competitions, she was recognized as one of the top 10 unsigned music artists by the Pittsburgh City Paper in 2021. Additionally she achieved her first place status alongside Meredith Holliday in Greensburg‘s Rock The Palace Battle of The Bands in 2016.
As a supporter of local live music, Jane hosts an acoustic open mic night every third Wednesday at the Arsenal Cider Tap House in Dormont.
*Locations include but not limited to clubs, bars, casinos, baby showers, restaurants, hotels, corporate events, museums, weddings, children’s parties, memorial services, store openings, surprise engagements, chair side hospital treatments, bedside hospice performances, singing telegrams…
Having been immersed in music ever since she started singing into her Fisher-Price tape recorder at about two years old, Jane’s passion for music was nurtured through her parents’ cassette tapes, her grandparents’ records, and the joy of FM radio. To this day she longs to hear her grandfather practice his tuba like he used to when she would visit. Years later this would explain why she can’t focus on just performing one genre.
While singing came naturally to her, Jane initially began her instrumental journey on the violin at 9, followed by piano, then guitar at 16 (changing everything). Classical vocal studies began around 17 and things got serious. Many ups and downs got her to where she is today- focusing primarily on developing her voice outside the classical world, particularly in vocal harmony and arranging, has earned her a well-deserved reputation as an exceptional backup singer. Presently Jane focuses on accompanying herself on guitar while manifesting being a Steely Dan backup singer.
This songbird’s musical journey is characterized by a refusal to be confined to singing a single genre. Having studied classical music extensively, she has seamlessly transitioned into singing rock, pop, jazz, bluegrass, and country. Furthermore, Jane has experience performing choral, Celtic, blues, musical theater, and barbershop. As time progresses she continues to explore and learn about different genres, further expanding her musical repertoire. This explains people pleasing in Jane: she has a hard time saying no to song requests, even if she may not know the song!
When she’s not soloing, Jane focuses on performing Americana music with her former guitar teacher, Joe Golden, of Westmoreland String Workshop. Jane also has been seen performing with her former high school choir teacher, Mike Leu (percussionist), on occasion in the last few years.
Although Jane tends to shy away from competitions, she was recognized as one of the top 10 unsigned music artists by the Pittsburgh City Paper in 2021. Additionally she achieved her first place status alongside Meredith Holliday in Greensburg‘s Rock The Palace Battle of The Bands in 2016.
As a supporter of local live music, Jane hosts an acoustic open mic night every third Wednesday at the Arsenal Cider Tap House in Dormont.
*Locations include but not limited to clubs, bars, casinos, baby showers, restaurants, hotels, corporate events, museums, weddings, children’s parties, memorial services, store openings, surprise engagements, chair side hospital treatments, bedside hospice performances, singing telegrams…