Brunch with Jill Barber at Fable Kitchen

Brunch is a favourite past time shared by many and should be an extraordinary experience, one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for brunch. Each of the places I visit is unique for what is offered along with the type of service and selection of dishes. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places and, at the same time, I will be joined by a notable personality who may be a Film Producer or Director, Musician, Arts Festival Director, Actor or other well-known individual for Brunch at restaurants in and around Vancouver.

For my twenty sixth brunch in this series, I was joined by Singer/Songwriter Jill Barber at Fable Kitchen in Vancouver talking about Music, Food and more!

Jill Barber

Born and raised in Port Credit, Ontario, Jill attended Queen’s University before pursuing her musical career on a full-time basis. She won the Female Artist Recording of the Year award for her debut album Oh Heart at the 2005 Music Nova Scotia Awards. In 2007 Barber earned her fourth win as Best Local Solo Artist (Female) in The Coast’s annual “Best of Music Reader’s Poll”, and her first win as Best Canadian Solo Artist (Female). In 2008, Jill released Chances, an album with full orchestral arrangements which was partially co-written with her producer Les Cooper, while also collaborating on several songs with Canadian music legend Ron Sexsmith. This album led to a new level in touring reaching audiences across the globe while earning two Juno Award nominations including New Artist of the Year. In 2010 she released her Mischievous Moon album. She now resides in Vancouver.

What style of music do you sing and perform?

I sing songs that I write, singing original songs. Writing songs in the style, I like to mix genres. Identify first and foremost as a songwriter but lately I have had more Jazz leanings.

Do you come from a musical family?

My brother is a professional musician as well.

Are there any musicians who have influenced your musical career? If so who?

My brother Matthew would be my number one influence. I followed in his footsteps a lot, and he encouraged me in the early days.

What type of music did you listen to growing up?

As a kid, top 40 stuff; in my teen years it was grunge and Pearl Jam; in university it was my Bohemian phase listening to Neil Young, Ella Fitzgerald, and Nat King Cole.

Who are your top 3 favourite jazz/folk artists?

1) Nat King Cole

2) Joni Mitchell

3) Little Jimmy Scott

If you could tell me about 3 of your favourite concerts of all time which ones would those be?

1) Nick Lowe at the Mod Club in Toronto

2) The SkyDiggers at the Railway Club in Vancouver

3) The Polyphonic Spree at South by Southwest in Austin, Texas

What 3 foods do you like?

1) Fish – I love Sablefish the most.

2) Bread – French and other great quality bread

3) Dark Chocolate

What are your favourite restaurants in Vancouver?

1) Nook

2) Bao Bei

3) West

What are your favourite restaurants across Canada?

1) Devour in Victoria

2) Le Select Bistro in Toronto

3) Nota Bene in Toronto

4) The Wood Loft in Toronto

5) The River Café in Calgary

6) James on the Common in Halifax

7) The Press Gang in Halifax

What is the best food you have eaten recently?

Black Pepper Ice Cream

Scrambled Eggs

Omelette with ratatouille, goat cheese and toast

Rosti

Jill had the Scrambled Eggs and a coffee; Richard had an Omelette with ratatouille, goat cheese and toast along with a side of Rosti.

What do you want your listeners to learn from listening to your music?

My music can play out as a sound recant to peoples lives. I want people to see their love stories in my music and will transport people to some place. Soundtrack to something else happening.

What do you do in your off time?

1) Eat

2) Cook

3) Hike

4) Ride bike

5) Cabin in Desolation Sound

6) Sip wine and eat with my friends

Where is your favourite vacation spot?

France

Where was your most recent musical trip?

Orangeville, Ontario on June 3rd

What can your fans expect to hear when you perform at the Vancouver Jazz Festival on June 30^th?

Me and my amazing band (6 piece) who are coming from Toronto. I will be playing a selection of songs from all my records. Classic French songs from the 50’s & 60’s on my yet to be released album.

Who are your mentors?

Sara Harmer

Who inspires you now?