Hometown: Mississauga, Ontario
Proudly known as ‘Canada’s Sweetheart of Swing’, Alex Pangman’s natural vocal abilities and deep appreciation for the classic jazz era have earned her a place in our nation’s heart. She’s not old fashioned though, but a vivacious performer who retains creative control of all her work: carefully choosing her repertoire, composing original material, assembling her backing band and co-producing her recorded output on Justin Time Records. Rather than some casual throwback, Pangman delivers a unique, deliberate reinterpretation of one of North America’s most fertile, timeless eras. Her third album New, explores lesser known songs of the 1930s, taking care to present several Canadian-written gems, with a pathos and joie de vivre felt after her 2013 lung re-transplant.
As a teenager Pangman was mentored in classic jazz by Jeff Healey. She has since enjoyed musical pairings with legendary Bucky Pizzarelli, John Macleod, Denzal Sinclaire, Grammy nominated trumpeter Kevin Clark, Ron Sexsmith, and opened for Willie Nelson at Massey Hall.
2015 marked another trip across Canada to major jazz fests, including Montréal Jazz Festival, and a debut in Rochester NY. She also appeared on a syndicated American radio broadcast during John Pizzarelli’s Koerner Hall performance, at which she was special guest.