Music for the Most Wonderful Time of Year

SOPHISTICATED LADIES is a talented trio of Female Musicians from London entertaining with the classics in music, including many songs from The American Song Book.  They also offer soft jazz for Easy Listening. They have performed at Michael’s on the Thames, Olive R Twist, many of the Retirement Homes in London and area and several Special Events.

Nancy Hawkins: Vocals
Nancy has many other vocations but music has always been foremost in her heart, soul and mind.  She started singing in the church choir at 5 and continued on into high school and joined the girls’ choir there. When Nancy returned to London in 2010 she started singing with a group called Jazz Review. Nancy has also had the privilege of singing with The Music Makes.  She is now the lead singer and promoter for Sophisticated Ladies.

Nancy wanted London to show off some of its very talented female musicians and formed this group.

Jayne Hysen: Piano
Jayne has been playing jazz piano in London, Ontario for close to 30 years.  Maggie’s Restaurant and at Michael’s on the Thames are two locations that she performed at regularly over the years.  In addition to playing in the Prime Time Big Band for several years, she has been a long-standing member of the John Griffith’s Quartet and Sextet.  In 2018, she started her group, the Jayne Hysen Trio which performed at the London Music Club. Currently, Jayne is developing her compositions under the instruction of composer/jazz pianist Nancy Walker and is studying jazz improvisation and theory with jazz pianist, Mark Eisenman.

It has been Jayne’s pleasure to accompany Nancy Hawkins in the Sophisticated Ladies since she joined the group four years ago.

Tara Sampson: Double Bass
Tara Sampson is a musician, educator, and author from London, Ontario. She holds two Bachelor’s degrees, one in music and the other in education, from Western University.  As a student and professional musician, Tara has performed in various genres and musical settings.