Whether on a theatre stage or from behind a piano belting out poetic ballads, Naomi Jane has emerged as a breakout talent in the various worlds of music she occupies. At just 14 years old the singer/songwriter, musician, actor, and dancer has made a name for herself performing in off-Broadway productions of musicals from New York to California. But now that she’s started penning her own poignant tunes to sing — it’s only a matter of time before her spellbinding voice and lyricism find their way into your heart.
Raised in New York City, Jane was only four years old when she started that fateful pursuit of performing onstage. She’s appeared in a host of regional theatre productions in the lead role, including “Sound of Music,” “Little Mermaid,” and “Frozen.” More recently, she will appear as Roxie Hart in a rendition of “Chicago” that will debut throughout Los Angeles and Santa Barbara next year.
Jane’s success in the theatre signals both her talent for performance and arresting vocals: although a classically trained mezzo-soprano, her range encompasses a stunning three octaves. She’s also a talented multi-instrumentalist who can play everything from the guitar, ukulele, and violin to the saxophone and piano.
Yet the string of singles she’s been releasing since last year rely most heavily on her talent for songwriting and clarity of emotion offered by their piano-led melodies. That first batch of songs began with the lamentful “Bouquet” and “Love in the Dark,” two heart-wrenching offerings that revealed the devastating pairing of her strident croons and vulnerable lyrics.
Further singles “Don’t Say You Love Me More” and “Green” have rightfully earned her comparisons to the likes of Sarah McLachlan and Alanis Morissette. There’s just something so lucid and piercing about the way Jane navigates the doleful lows of heartache, tracing them with all the aching tenderness of one intimately acquainted with such pain.
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Her latest single “Why Not” unfolds as a grieving but hopeful attempt to understand the mystery of love’s fickleness. One that holds up the kind of idealistic love story typical of romantic comedies and wonders earnestly: “Why not me / Why not you / Why not now?”
Guided by her ever faithful piano Jane’s words float luminously against the resonant keys, urging some elusive love into existence, her words kindling a delicate flame to life. It’s not a song that blindly or naively pines for some faux silver screen dream — instead it expresses that quiet but ever present desire in everyone’s heart. One that yearns for bold and true companionship with glistening splendor.
Words: Steven Ward
Visit Naomi Jane on her website and Instagram to stay updated on new releases and tour announcements.
Listen to “Why Not” the new single from Naomi Jane below!
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