LJ Mounteney

FRIDAY, Oct 28 – PNW blues/ jazz vocalist LJ Mounteney is set to release her second album ‘Mama Danced…’, a blues and roots project featuring Jack Lavin (Powder Blues) as producer and bassist. Concert is live & streamed:  LJ Mounteney will be accompanied by her all-star band: Diane Lines (keys/vocals), Brent Gubbels (bass), Jon Roper (guitars), Allan Dionne (accordion/drums) and Jerry Cook (sax).

Singles ‘Mama Danced’ & ‘Neighbour Neighbour’ are out now on streaming platforms, with rave reviews – have a listen!

“She is dream to work with and a dynamite performer. I love her voice.”
— Rev Dr. Brian Fraser, Minister – Brentwood Presbyterian, Leader of Jazz Think

LJ Mounteney’s musical roots come from her mother and her Hungarian Grandfather, who played 13 instruments by ear. Her mother studied classical piano as a child and was a naturally gifted singer.  Perhaps it is these genetic gifts coupled with a prairie upbringing (she was born in Edmonton AB) that form the basis of LJ’s strong work ethic and authentic passion for roots music.

When LJ moved to Creston in her early teens from Alberta, she began to draw attention and accolades for her natural vocal and performance skills participating in musical theatre and singing in local bands. Leaving the Kootenays for Vancouver to pursue her passion, LJ fell in love with jazz music and, on impulse, enrolled in VCC’s highly regarded commercial music and jazz program studying voice and improvisation with the likes of Jennifer Scott.  What followed was working in a variety of swing, jazz and blues bands as well as pop and R&B groups as LJ searched for her place in music all the while striving to become a better singer and musician.

In 2017, LJ finally produced her first album Here in the Dark, with help from friend and veteran guitarist, bassist, and songwriter Jon Roper. The album featured a mix of 8 stunning covers from Bossa Nova to Blues and one original and featured a top flight list of Vancouver session players.  Although not officially promoted, Here in the Dark was well received and helped LJ gain a wider audience resulting in her selling out local venues including Vancouver’s own local jazz club Frankie’s in 2019. That same year she was a featured guest at Vancouver’s historic Commodore Ballroom for the Motown Meltdown.

After repeated comments that blues was a genre she should consider and a casual suggestion by a friend to make an album with Blues Legend Jack Lavin (Powder Blues), LJ hit Electric City Sound Studios in Victoria on October 2021 and recorded her second album – a Blues and Roots project featuring Jack as producer and bassist. The result is Mama Danced… an impressive album that features a wide array of award winning Vancouver and Victoria Blues and jazz artists and songwriters. Mama Danced’s first two singles are already receiving rave reviews and the full album is set for release on October 28, 2022 (digital) along with a live show via the Rogue Folk Club with plans for limited colour vinyl in the Spring of ‘23.

Like a Canadian Bonnie Raitt, LJ is flourishing at a more developed point in her career. Armed with a life of experience, stories and hard won hope she is ready to share her personal and musical victories through her songs and performances with the rest of the world.

[Editor’s Note:  LJ Mounteney does not technically qualify for a listing in this directory, not having a 51% minimum, maritime-themed repertoire, however she has been included as a demonstration of the Group Category, “Solo Musician with Backup Band”.]