Jill Zmud launched her debut album "as we quietly drive by" in November 2009 to a packed house at the legendary Black Sheep Inn. Prior to her launch, she was nominated as "Best New Musical Artist/Group" in the Ottawa Xpress Best of 2009, and the Black Sheep's Paul Symes recognized her as the Black Sheep Inn's “Favourite New Artist-Female".
Jill is a transplanted prairie lily from Saskatoon who now calls Ottawa home. A bit of a late bloomer, Jill's road to a musical career has been an unconventional one. She started out performing as a dancer and pursued her passion by studying at the National Ballet School in Toronto during high school. She then spent a year as an exchange student in South Africa before pursuing an undergrad degree at the University of Saskatchewan and a Master's degree in International Affairs in Ottawa. It was during that time in her early 20s (while also fitting in a short stint in the military) that she finally picked up a guitar.
In a short time, Jill has become a word-of-mouth sensation. She has been featured on CBC Radio 1, performed at Folk Alliance in Memphis, participated in a songwriter's retreat in New Mexico with major influence "Over the Rhine", received a creation grant from the City of Ottawa and capped a spectacular 2010 which saw her perform at Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa's TD International Jazz Festival and the Ottawa Folk Festival.
In 2008, a studio session with producer Dave Draves (production credits include Jim Bryson, Kathleen Edwards, Gentleman Reg) organically grew into a recording project that became Zmud's debut album. "As we quietly drive by" makes good on the critical praise and grass-roots fan support that's already been heaped upon this up-and-coming artist. The album offers a vibrant, soulful showcase for her talents as both an uncommonly insightful songwriter and a deeply expressive, charismatic vocalist. It's Zmud's lyrically incisive, melodically intoxicating compositions and bracing performances that make the album such a revelation. Such tunes as "Wish", "East of the Line", "Shark" and "Water in the Wine" boast a level of emotional insight that's rare for such a new artist.
Ottawa Citizen music critic Lynn Saxberg gave the roots-folk-tinged-with-gospel album 4 stars and wrote : "[Jill] has much more going for her than a pretty voice. Her CD shows she is also a fine songwriter, gifted lyricist, strong guitarist and an inventive piano player. Zmud is definitely one artist to keep an eye on in 2010."
In 2009 and 2010 alone, Jill was fortunate enough to share the stage with a number of notable artists, including Jim Cuddy, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Arrested Development, Danny Michel, The Wooden Sky, Jim Bryson, Frank Turner, The Hidden Cameras, Bruce Peninsula, Hoots & Hellmouth, Amelia Curran, Matthew Barber and Dan Mangan. Jill is also an avid supporter of numerous causes and has performed for the Babes for Breasts initiative for breast cancer research, Amnesty International's Small Places campaign and other groups doing important work to make our world a better place.
With "as we quietly drive by" establishing her as one of Canada's most exciting new creative forces, Jill is eager to share her songs with a rapidly expanding fan base. "Not all the songs on this album are about love and romance. But I'd like to think that when people listen to the songs, they might want to abandon the edges of their beds for a warmer place closer to the middle." says Jill.
