Vancouver musician Jennifer Gasoi loves writing music for children.
“They are the toughest audience and that is why I love them so much,” says Gasoi. “They are honest and they are real. And that is why, I think, they love me.”
And love her they do.
Gasoi’s latest album was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Children’s Album category.
The album titled “Throw a Penny in the Wishing Well” consists of 18 songs and incorporates swing, doo wop, gospel and many other music styles.
Gasoi is the only Canadian in the category.
In fact, she is one of a few Canadian artists nominated this year, along with music giants like Michael Bublé and Neil Young.
Gasoi is a trained jazz musician and has studied classical piano for 12 years.
She has been composing music for the last 25 years, much of it for children.
But she does not consider herself a purely children’s music composer.
“My music is intergenerational,” she says. “I write it as if it was for adults, but the lyrics are more geared for kids. Although they have double meanings. So if you listen as an adult, you are going to hear layers that you won’t hear as a three-year-old.”
Gasoi say she has a huge fan base in Vancouver and Montreal, where she is currently based, and loves performing forher younger audience.
“I sing to them as if they are my friends. I never sing down to them,” says Gasoi.
This year’s Grammy nomination is a first in Gasoi’s career.
“I am really excited. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity especially for an independent Canadian musician.”
Gasoi is currently not represented by any major record label.
“It is pretty rare that you get a Grammy nomination without a big label behind you. It’s been kind of gratifying because I’ve been doing everything on my own for 15 years.”
The Grammys will be handed out in Los Angeles on January 26.
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