Jill
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Jill

Band Pop Singer/Songwriter

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"Organic and Artful"

"Her pen is sharp, penetrating to the heart of life's issues with sensitivity and emotion, while her manner is gentle, utilizing a light folk / pop sound and simple vocals that don't seek to impress, but rather to simply communicate. Jill Paquette makes writing great songs look easy, as if the words simply flow naturally from her own breath. Her music is as inspiring as it is unforced, organic and artful." - CMCENTRAL.COM


"Hotly Anticipated Debut"

“Take the sweet vocal stylings of Alison Krauss, add the song-writing prowess of Sarah Groves and one understands why Jill Paquette’s hotly anticipated debut was the talk of the contemporary Christian scene for months before its release. Paquette is a shining example of the great Christian songcraft coming from the Great White North.” - BarnesAndNoble.com


"Poetic Glimpse"

"Evincing a coffeehouse style reminiscent of Bebo Norman or Ginny Owens, the Canadian singer-songwriter delivers a quietly-passionate, poetic glimpse of 21st-century faith." - CBA MARKETPLACE


"Fresh Faces"

"Her unassuming perona and clear vocals captivate listeners, making them feel almost guilty for staring at her while she performs. Paquette might have been uncomfortable in her position in the early days, but to see her onstage now is nothing short of enchanting." - Release Magazine


"Breakthrough Artist"

"This 23-year old Canadian is overflowing with talent as a thoughtful songwriter and inviting vocalist, a skilled guitarist and a classicaly trained pianist. Stylistically, Paquette comes closest to the folk pop of artists like Jewel, but there are bits of Sheryl Crow and Sarah McLachlan as well. Highlights include the hearfelt folk of ' Katie-Lynn' the stirring accoustic rock of ' Not The Only One' and the soaring sweet surrender of ' Free'. Jill Paquette is one of the breakthrough artists of 2003." - Release Magazine


"A-list influences"

"Her elegance in songwriting and vocal delivery is reminiscent of a mishmash of A-list influences. At times her vocal range is reminiscent of Carole King a la 'Come To Me, ' while at other times the songs reverbertate with the vibes of Michelle Branch, Jewel and Jennifer Knapp, as on 'Not The Only One.' There are so many tunes on this release that are completely rich in musical texture." - All Music Guide


Discography

Jill Paquette- self titled
Word Of Mouth- pre release
JiPa- pre-release
Lift My Eyes - single
Not The Only One- single
visit www.xradio.biz nashville staion

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Bio

What is it that connects us to each other--and why do we long for connection? What does it mean to live in the moment--and what do we miss when we don't? Pondering this questions is what generated such wide-spread buzz and great reviews for Canadian-born singer-songwriter Jill Paquette's debut album, Jill Paquette (Reunion Records), including Dove nominations, a JUNO Award (Canadian equivalent to the Grammy's), three VIBE awards (Canadian People's Choice Awards) and two Western Canadian Awards.
Classically-trained Paquette has shared the stage with CCM greats like Rebecca St James, Shaun Groves and Jill Phillips, and she's traveled the US and Canada, performing in large venues (Franklin Graham Crusade, Spirit West Coast, Freedom Fest, GMA Seminar in the Rockies), coffee houses, concert halls, churches and local clubs. Jill has been featured in publications like Christianity Today, CCM Magazine, and CBA Marketplace; Christian Music Todaydubbed her one of the Best New Artists and Radio & Recordsnamed her one of radio's Top 10 New Artists.
It all started when she performed an impromptu set at a local coffee house in Northern Canada--not because she wanted to, but because of the relentless insistence of her friends. She met Matt Brouwer (who would later sign to a major label) that day and became a part of his band. There she learned how to “serve the music" and to connect in a meaningful way to her audience. Jill believes this is when, in actuality, music discovered her. Serendipity has been the hallmark of Jill's career: While others had been aware of her talent for years, Jill is surprised by the path her life has taken. At the request of a producer, she sat down with her guitar to record her first demo. It found its way to Nashville and she received a surprise call from a major label interested in signing her. Three years later, Jill inked her first record deal. Her whole journey has been this way: a string of events that seemed to divinely happen of their own.
Jill didn't grow up dreaming of stardom, and when you mention the accolades, she looks uncomfortable. "It's like this," she begins. "I always wanted a horse when I was younger. I knew I'd be great with horses because I just loved them so much ... they're amazing. "Finally, I got one when I was 13. My horse was my best teacher in a lot of ways, but she also had needs." She heaves an exaggerated sigh. "She had to be fed, she had a clock and she wanted ME to do things for her. If I didn't exercise her, she'd get cranky, and if she was around the wrong horses, she'd pick up bad manners." She pauses thoughtfully, her voice ironic, "It's quite like taking care of a child, and at 13, I wasn't ready for a child." The moral of the story? "Be careful what you wish for," Jill says dryly, then smiles. "There's a downside to even the greatest opportunities. You know, it was flattering and exciting to win the awards, but a record deal ... that felt like pressure to “be”something and that was scary. ButI believe this is my path, and I'm grateful."
Perhaps it's her remote, northern-Canadian upbringing and her Native-American roots that have contributed to her down-to-earth, unassuming personality. Jill's love for music goes back to childhood where, as the youngest of seven in a musical family, she began playing the piano when she was three years old. She studied classical music, and she spent her time soaking up Beethoven in lieu of MTV. To Jill, songwriting is her meditation--an outlet for her musings, her exploration of her experiences: raw, bold, and deeply honest. Dubbed the "female equivalent of the thinking man's songwriter" by Christian Music Today, she explores life's complexity, considers her shortcomings, and confesses her most private fears. Her lyrics reveal the honest travail of a person struggling with her own contradictions: longing for the richness and beauty of the moment, yet uncomfortable in her own skin. Honesty is Jill's renown: she Jill makes a believer out of the listener, awakening a sense of the divinity in their lives that perhaps they haven't experienced. "I want to awaken their curiosity about the intricate, divine moments that color our journey," Jill reveals. "I want people to experience their own defining moment with the music."