Short Bio 

Drawing from Newfoundland folk roots and contemporary jazz influences, Jessica Spurrell is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter. She is inspired by music that layers intricate arrangements with thoughtful lyrics– a distinct blend of instrumental and songwriter elements heard in recent singles The Gentle Hand and Sandcastles. Jessica loves to perform live, solo or with-band, sharing stories and laughs from the stage. Having recently played her first shows outside of Ontario, Jessica is eager to connect with more Canadian audiences in 2026. Jessica is a recipient of SOCAN’s Young Canadian Songwriters Award, and holds a Bachelor of Music from Humber College. 

Long Bio

Drawing from Newfoundland folk roots and contemporary jazz influences, Jessica Spurrell is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. She is inspired by music that layers intricate, through-composed parts with thoughtful lyrics. Adrianne Lenker, Judee Sill, and Joni Mitchell are strong influences. Her compositions are also informed by an interest in recording technology. In recent singles The Gentle Hand and Sandcastles, Jessica displays her distinct blend of instrumental and songwriter elements. Compared to past releases, she takes a bolder approach to texture through vocal processing, foley, and doubling. The Gentle Hand and Sandcastles are available now on Bandcamp and across all streaming platforms. 

Jessica loves to perform live, solo or with-band, sharing stories and laughs from the stage. She recently made her out-of-province live debut, with summer performances in Banff (Soundweavings Intercultural Music Residency at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity), Montreal (Centre Des Musiciens Du Monde), and in her hometown of St. Johns, Newfoundland. Jessica is eager to connect with even more audiences across Canada, particularly on the East Coast, in 2026.

Collaboration plays a key role in Jessica’s artistic practice. She worked closely with over 20 young Canadian musicians to create her FACTOR-funded debut EP, A Blessing, A Pearl. Jessica is frequently featured as a vocalist/guitarist in other bands, and has producer credits across multiple genres, including songwriter, alternative rock, and jazz. Jessica is also a member of Solara, a music collective born from the 2024 Intercultural and Creative Music Fellowship in partnership with the Aga Khan Museum. Solara’s self-titled debut album fuses folk, jazz, and prog styles, available now across all streaming platforms. 

An accomplished songwriter, Jessica is a recipient of the SOCAN Foundation’s Young Canadian Songwriters Award for her song, Bury Me. She has been selected for the TD Incubator for Creative Entrepreneurship, FACTOR’s Artist Development Program, and the Folk Music Ontario Developing Artist Program. Most recently, Jessica attended Soundweavings; an intercultural music residency at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Music from Humber Polytechnic. She has called many places home, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Germany.