With three critically acclaimed self-produced albums to her credit, multi-award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter and pianist Ashley Wey is releasing her first album of primarily original music, Hummingbird. This genre-bending project is set to release on July 7 followed by an album release party at Hermann’s Jazz Club on Saturday, July 24 at 7 pm. (Tickets at hermannsjazz.com.)
Wey is well established in the Victoria arts scene as both a musician and booking manager for Hermann’s Jazz Club. She has worked with Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila, Juno Award-winners Brandi Distrehaft, Mae Moore and The Parachute Club, and she’s toured on cruise ships around the world with four-time Grammy Award-winner Manny Kellough.
In fact, it was on a cruise ship where she met bandmate Louis Rudner, who is also now her husband. Rudner plays bass in the Ashley Wey Trio and is accompanied by Nicholas Bracewell on drums.
Wey first got inspiration for Hummingbird in 2018 when she opened for the legendary Lisa Fischer, who toured with the Rolling Stones from 1989 to 2015.
“I wrote a song inspired by her for the show, and I hadn’t named it yet. She said, well, why don’t you call it Hummingbird? That’s her power animal,” says Wey.
That song, which reflects the essence of one of Wey’s personal legends and inspirations, ended up becoming both the title track and official name of the album. The album melds alternative folk, pop and jazz.
Many of the songs draw inspiration from “people who have been really close in my life,” says Wey. This includes title tracks such as She’s No Lady, inspired by a best friend with a strong personality, and One More Day.
“That one’s about someone I was in love with many years ago. It’s a story about if I could have an afternoon and a beer with that old soul mate one more time, that would be enough to make my life complete.”
Since work on the album began, Wey says, she continues to “draw in inspiration from this strong incredible beautiful little bird.”
Hummingbirds have been serendipitously showing up for Wey: “I’ll be practicing piano and there’ll literally be a hummingbird that comes up to the window.”
Wey’s album launch at Hermann’s Jazz Club will be an in-person event. To preview the new music, go to
ashleywey.bandcamp.com.
Also on tap at Hermann’s this month (tickets at hermannsjazz.com):
• Stephen Fearing: A towering legend in Canada’s music scene, Fearing is nationally recognized as a veteran solo Canadian roots/folk artist/songwriter. Fans will know that he’s also a member of the Juno Award-winning roots-rock ensemble Blackie and the Rodeo Kings.
July 16, 7 pm / livestream also available.
• Sean Drabitt: A jazz bass player for over 20 years, Sean Drabitt is justly known as one of Victoria’s best bassists and is highly sought after in the local jazz scene. Born in Vancouver, Sean’s played in over 40 countries and spent a year teaching bass at two colleges in Seoul, Korea. This will be a night of vibrant, world-class jazz!
July 22, 7 pm / livestream also available.