Named after the iconic Steely Dan track, Aja Jardine—better known by her stage name Lady Jay—has always known she was meant to sing. One of her earliest memories is pretending to introduce herself as a singer on television, a moment she recalls with a clarity that signals something deeper. “When you’re young, you are in touch with core parts of your identity—before others influence your perception of yourself,” she reflects. For Lady Jay, music is more than performance; it’s a homecoming to her truest self.
Aja’s sound is steeped in the deep, expressive traditions of jazz and soul. She draws inspiration from a lineage of powerful vocalists—Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin—women whose voices carried stories as much as notes. That reverence led her to pursue a Certificate of Music in Voice from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia, where she immersed herself in jazz. “I love jazz for its expansiveness and improvisation,” she says. “A song can be performed in infinite ways. It’s the magic of that very moment.”
Her stage name, Lady Jay, is itself a homage. Billie Holiday, affectionately known as Lady Day, was the first jazz singer Aja saw who looked like her. The “Jay” comes both from her last initial and a childhood acquaintance who left a lasting, positive imprint. The name is personal, powerful, and steeped in legacy.
Her musical journey has been anything but linear. From solo performances to fronting bands across genres, and singing in jazz combos and choral ensembles, Aja knows how to command a stage. Her artistry is informed not just by music, but also by a background in media—she holds a Television Broadcasting Diploma from Seneca Polytechnic and spent time working in radio.
After a long hiatus focused on career and family—and a move from Vancouver to Toronto—Lady Jay felt a familiar pull: it was time to return to music. In March 2024, she walked into an open audition at Mint Music/Toronto Guitar School. It was more than just a callback to her past—it was a full-throated leap into her future.
She quickly claimed the role of lead vocalist in one of the school’s rock band ensembles, under the mentorship of instructors Neil Quin (Zeus) and Mitchell Milley (JJ Wilde). “Having instructors on-hand during rehearsals to provide feedback is invaluable,” she says.
In April 2024, Aja began private voice coaching with Mint Music’s Laura Wilson, who has not only guided her technically but also collaborated with her on a series of polished solo performances featured on YouTube. Laura is unequivocal in her praise: “Aja, or Lady Jay, is a dream student. She’s not afraid of the moment. Her stunning delivery of ‘(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman’ at our December 2024 recital was unforgettable. She understands that a singer’s job is to be a conduit between the lyrics and the audience. It takes guts to be that vulnerable. Aja is someone to watch.”
And watch we will. Now deep in her musical renaissance, Lady Jay is putting together a jazz group to perform the Great American Songbook around Toronto. She’s also beginning to craft original compositions—melodies and lyrics arrive unannounced, and she’s learning to listen and capture them.
For Aja, music is more than sound—it’s a metaphysical experience. Quoting artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, she offers: “Art is how we decorate space; music is how we decorate time.” It’s a philosophy that drives her love of improvisation and the spontaneous, collective energy that emerges during a great live performance. “When you come together with other players, you create music that’s more than the sum of its parts,” she says. “There’s nothing like the energy of a crowd when audiences and musicians start to vibrate as one. Music is a powerful force that can shift energy, lift spirits—creativity saves us.”
Aja’s advice to aspiring musicians is, “It is never too late to start. If it is something that you are passionate about, you can do it. Take a risk and bet on yourself. Nurture your gift.” Actively pursuing her music career in her mid-forties, Aja continues to follow the dreams she’s held for decades.
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