Blue Voice New Voice

Released 1994

Juno Nomination - Aboriginal Recording of the Year

Producer: Ken Whiteley

Produced by Award winning producer Ken Whiteley, Blue Voice New Voice features 12 tracks including the popular single "99 lbs", featured on Air Canada's Canadian musician series. Jani Lauzon's debut album features mostly a blues inspired recording with a blend of other colours including her cultural Heritage that is relevant to the music but does not exclusively define it.

Strong soulful vocals, classic organ, a great horn section with a solid groove can be heard on "Can't Buy them Blues" and "Don't Tell Me", whilie "Broken Spirit" and "Goin' Wild for you Baby" firmly place Jani in the stronghold of the "exceptional ballad chanteuse".

An all Canadian "cast" includes, Tom Griffith (bass), Jim Casson (drums) Steve Hunter (piano/organ) John Bride (guitar) among others, and also features guest artists Sarah McKelcheran (trumpet) Colleen Allan (sax) David Wall, (vocals) Susan HooKong (vocals) and Alejandra Nunez (percussion/vocals). Blue Voice New Voice was nominated for a Juno award in 1994.

Thirst

Released 1998

Juno Nomination - Aboriginal Recording of the Year

Producer: Gary Taylor

Produced by Gary Taylor, THIRST is the sophomore release by Juno nominated, Ra Recording artist Jani Lauzon. "Roots music with a twist of jazz presented beautifully on a platter of percussive grooves", the 13 mostly original compositions were either penned by Jani Lauzon herself, or with co-writer Arthur Renwick, with the exception of a percussive/prayer inspired Ava Maria and two songs by Bettina Matzkuhn. Another consort of Canada's finest musicians includes Taylor himself (drums) Matthew Shawn Fleming (percussion), Evelyne Datl (piano), Rob Gusevs (organ/piano) Kevin Breit (guitar) John Tilden (guitar) Oliver Schroer (violin) Susan HooKong, Alejandra Nunez, John Mays, John Speziale and Liz Tilden on vocals.

Songs include "Real Rez Blues", (which was chosen to launch the Aboriginal Voices Radio as the first song played), "Lay your Ego Down", (featured on both TVO's Studio 2 and the Rez Blues Series) and the instrumental "Beyond Reason" featuring Lauzon on traditional flute.

Thirst was nominated for a Juno in 1998.

Mixed Blessings

Released 2007

CAMA Nomination - Best Female Traditional

Producer: Ken Whiteley

Multi-disciplinary Metis artist Jani Lauzon has returned to her cultural roots and love of melody to create a truly unique recording with the help of award winning producer Ken Whiteley. Mixed Blessings is firmly rooted in the musical style of traditional Native songs yet layers in contemporary flavors and harmonization.

Sonically the common threads are the hand drum and a core group of Women's voices including Susan HooKong, Alejandra Nunez, Michelle St. John, Cheri Maracle and Celyne Gaspe. The album also features some of Canada's finest musicians including George Koller; bass, Evelyne Datl; piano, and Roman Borys; cello.

"Contemplating my return to the studio after taking time off to raise my daughter, I couldn't shake the experience of singing with Aboriginal women gathered around the drum. Transforming our stories into music is hugely rewarding. These songs are prayers, giving thanks for our survival despite great challenges".