Jane Fair, jazz saxophonist / composer and educator, lives and works in Toronto, Ontario. Jane began playing jazz venues in Montreal and Quebec City in the early 70’s after finishing an undergraduate arts degree at McGill University. Subsequently Jane was fortunate to play in groups with Guy Nadon, Claude Ranger, Brian Hurley, Geoff Lapp, Raynald Drouin, Peter Leitch, Steve Hall, and Andrew Homzy, to mention a few.

Relocating to Toronto in 1976, Jane formed her own quartet playing at George’s Spaghetti House, Bourbon St., and Yellow Fingers. Key players with her at that time were Lorne Lofsky, Frank Falco, Bob McClaren, Steve Wallace, Barry Elmes , Al Henderson, and Mark Eisenman. Being a member of Memo Acevedo’s Banda Brava, and Jim Galloway’s Wee Big Band were rich learning experiences for Jane at that time.

In 1988 Jane and Jane Bunnett formed Music in Monk Time a band devoted solely to Thelonious Monk compositions. This was a tremendously challenging and enjoyable project which was both instructive and influential for Jane’s musical thinking.

In the 90’s, Jane collaborated with Rosemary Galloway in Velvet Glove. This band recorded two CDs , Coming Out Swinging and Round One.

Jane’s most current performing focus is with the Jane Fair/Rosemary Galloway Quintet whose first CD Waltz Out was released in 2002 . The band’s most recent recording Playin’ Jane was released in August 2011.

Jane has also been active with a west coast quartet which features guitarist Bill Coon, bassist Jodi Proznick and drummer Dave Robbins. This quartet can be heard on the CD Chances Are released on the Cellar Live label in 2007.

Other recordings with Jane as soloist/side person :

In Times Like These Rebecca Enkin - released in 2001 on the BECMARC label

Love and All That -Songs by Barry J. Little Barry Little- released in 2007.

In 2000 , Jane completed a master’s degree in music at the University of Toronto. Jane teaches at the Humber College School for the Performing Arts, and Humber’s Community Music School working with both young adults and very young aspiring jazz students.

Review comments:

“.. Jane Fair is not just lyrical, but poetic..” Raul D’Gama Rose reviewing the CD Chances Are.

"……her idiomatic versatility and her melodic strength as a soloist are greatly admired.” Mark Miller

“Jane is a trailblazer and a true original in Canadian jazz. She has always played with elegance and grace. Every phrase she plays comes from the heart…” Jane Bunnett