Inez Jasper Explained

Inez Jasper
Birth Name:Inez Point
Birth Date:19 May 1981
Birth Place:Chilliwack, British Columbia
Genre:Pop, R&B
Occupation:Singer-songwriter, nurse
Instrument:Vocals
Years Active:2009–present
Label:Lets'emot Music
Website:InezJasper.com

Inez Jasper (née Point), also known as Inez, (born May 19, 1981) is a Canadian musician, whose music blends pop, dance, hip hop and traditional First Nations music.

She is most noted as a two-time nominee for the Juno Award for Aboriginal Album of the Year, in 2010 for her album Singsoulgirl and in 2014 for her album Burn Me Down.

Biography

Inez Jasper was born and raised in Chilliwack, British Columbia. She is of, Ojibway and Métis heritage. She is the daughter of Mark Point, a former Skowkale First Nation chief, and the niece of Steven Point, a former Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia.

She was educated as a registered nurse, and works as a community health nurse for Stó:lō Nation Health Services. She has two children, and in 2010 her husband Otis Jasper served as the chief of Soowahlie First Nation.

She released her debut single "Sto:lo Strong" in 2005, before releasing the full-length album SingSoulGirl in January 2009. She toured extensively to support the album, and won awards at both the Aboriginal Peoples Choice Music Awards and the Western Canadian Music Awards. At the APCMAs, "Breathe" won Single of the Year, SingSoulGirl won Pop Album of the Year, and Jasper won Best New Artist.

She subsequently released two non-album singles, "Make U Mine" in 2011 and "Dancin' on the Run" in 2013, before releasing her second album Burn Me Down in August 2013. The album again won the award for Pop Album of the Year at the APCMAs, and was again a Juno Award nominee for Aboriginal Album of the Year. Jasper was also named Best Producer/Engineer at the APCMAs in 2014.

She was named a National Aboriginal Role Model by the National Aboriginal Health Organization in 2008.

Discography

Studio albums

Album title! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:15em;"
Release details
2009
  • Released: Jan 9, 2009
  • Label: Lets'emot Music
  • Format: CD, digital
2013
  • Released: Aug 1, 2013
  • Label: Lets'emot Music
  • Format: CD, digital

Singles

Year! scope="col"
TitleAlbumRelease details
2005"Sto:lo Strong"KAYA mixtape/Singsoulgirl First release (April 2005)
2009"Breathe" Singsoulgirl Lets'emot Music (Jan 9, 2009)
2011"Make U Mine"Non-album single Rockstar Music Corp (Feb 1, 2011)
2013"Dancin' on the Run"Non-album single Lets'emot Music (May 15, 2013)
"The Takeover" (ft. Jon C) Burn Me Down Lets'emot Music (Aug 1, 2013)
"Fallen Soldier" (ft. Fawn Wood) Lets'emot Music (Aug 1, 2013)

Guest appearances

Year! scope="col" rowspan="1"
Single namePrimary artist(s)Album Release details
2013"Me & U" (ft. Inez Jasper) Drezus Red Winter Rezofficial Music (May 17, 2013)

Awards and nominations

YearAwardNominated workCategoryResult
2009Aboriginal People's
Choice Music Awards
SingsoulgirlPop Album of the Year
Best Album Cover Design
"Breathe"Single of the Year
Inez JasperBest New Artist
West Coast American
Indian Music Awards
Best Vocals
Best R&B
2010Western Canadian Music AwardsSingsoulgirlAboriginal Recording of the Year
Juno Awards
2014Western Canadian Music AwardsBurn Me DownAboriginal Recording of the Year
Juno Awards
Aboriginal People's
Choice Music Awards
Best Pop Album
InezBest Producer/Engineer

See also