Longtime JFS employee Julie Olson is also a popular jazz singer. Her group, the Olson Biller Duo, frequently performs around the Seattle area and will be playing a concert for Endless Opportunities this Tuesday. We talked with Julie to learn more about her two careers and the upcoming show.
JFS: How long have you worked at JFS?
JO: 34 years!
JFS: What’s your job here?
JO: I’ve always been the Executive Assistant and Board Administrator. I was also the Office Manager when I first came on board.
JFS: What is it like working with the Board?
JO: I’m continuously struck by the amount of time our Board Members put into the agency and enjoy working with such a diverse group of people. The dynamics change every year, so it never gets boring. I’m currently working with my 17th Board President.
JFS: What is the most meaningful part of your work at JFS?
JO: I work with amazing volunteers and co-workers. Also, I take great pride in being a part of the JFS community and watching the breadth and depth of our programs grow, which has made it possible to help more and more families.
JFS: What has been the biggest change you’ve seen while at JFS?
JO: When I started, JFS had 12 employees and an operating budget of $400,000. Today, we have around 100 employees and a $9 million budget.
JFS: How did you start singing?
JO: Growing up, I always loved jazz and sang in my high school’s choir. I didn’t sing much after that until 2001, when a friend started group lessons with a vocal coach. She didn’t want to go alone, so she cajoled me into joining her. Our teacher believed that everyone should perform. I participated in a student showcase at Tula’s in Belltown six months later. A couple of years later, I was performing at venues around Seattle – the Sorrento Hotel, Tula’s Jazz Club, various restaurants and then private events.
JFS: What’s it like having two careers?
JO: It creates a wonderful (and busy) balance in my life. I love working at JFS and music is my passion. I’m fortunate to sing professionally– not many people get to make a career out of their passion.
JFS: What is the best part about singing and performing?
JO: I love sharing music from The Great American Song Book with people. This music makes a difference to people – it’s nostalgic, brings back memories. Audience members regularly tell me that the concert turned a bad day around. I also feel fortunate to be working with some of Seattle’s best jazz musicians.
JFS: What can we expect at tomorrow’s concert?
JO: Michael Biller (guitar), Nate Parker (bass) and I will be playing songs from The Great American Song Book – songs by Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Johnny Mandel, Bobby Troup and Antônio Carlos Jobim. Between songs, I’ll talk about the music – the composers, the time period, the artists who made it popular and the artists playing this music today.
JFS: Where do you normally perform, and what other projects do you have in the works?
JO: Our duo plays a lot of private events – birthday parties, weddings, receptions and corporate events. We also perform in Washington’s Wine Country, Egan’s Ballard Jam House and other jazz venues in Seattle. On an individual level, I perform in the Portland area about twice a year, and I host a monthly jazz showcase at Egan’s, co-host a house music series and organize master classes to give visiting artists teaching opportunities.
JFS: Do you have any listening recommendations for our readers?
JO: I really enjoy Bossa Nova, so check out songs by Antônio Carlos Jobim. I also enjoy jazz standards – Frank Sinatra who was a remarkable vocalist with unparalleled phrasing, Tony Bennet, Roberta Gamberini, Stacey Kent, and Diana Krall. Of course, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Carmen McRae have been mainstays in jazz for decades, and it’s always great to listen to them.
The Olson Biller Duo will performing Tuesday, August 19 at 7:00 pm at Temple De Hirsch Sinai. Visit the JFS calendar for more details.
By Jenelle Birnbaum
Violinist, hiker and all-around arts nerd Jenelle Birnbaum is the Marketing Coordinator and Web Administrator at JFS. Outside of that, she enjoys speaking French and vegan cooking.
