Steve Christofferson and Heather Keizer
About
Heather Keizur, a jazz vocalist who sings in English and French, is one of the most unique and respected singers living in the Pacific Northwest.
"I grew up in Canada where I fell in love with the French language. It's so musical. It’s beautiful to simply hear it spoken. Add that to the poignant melodies and lyrics written by greats like Edith Piaf and Jacques Brel, and I am compelled to sing these passionate songs."
When she was 3, Heather’s family left Oregon to try homesteading on a remote property in northern Canada – where there was no electricity or running water. It was the first of many relocations, and Heather would eventually attend 13 different schools throughout British Columbia.
Without TV most of the time, music was always at the forefront, everything from Joan Baez to The Rolling Stones. “I constantly sang to myself as a young girl”, she says, “until 7th grade, when I entered a talent contest in Sechelt. I was too shy to ask anyone to accompany me, so standing alone on the stage I sang Country Roads. I won 2nd place, and I was hooked.”
The most pivotal moment was yet to come. When Heather learned her family was relocating to one of the most isolated towns in BC, she vowed to God that she would no longer be shy. Surprisingly, Ocean Falls (where people sometimes had to make way for bears on the wooden-plank roads) turned out to be a welcoming place, and making friends felt easy. She sang at school concerts, soloed with the high school band, and even performed at a few weddings. Her dream wouldn't be denied – Heather would become a professional singer. Once on her own, she continued to move frequently, finding work with jazz, country, or pop bands, and sometimes singing for church services. After settling in the Portland, Oregon area she took time off from her music career to focus on being a mother.
At the age of 40, following professional voice coaching from singer/pianist Laura Cunard, Heather's music career beckoned once again. She hit the vibrant local jazz scene with her unique, timeless, and bilingual style, establishing herself as a highly esteemed entertainer throughout the region.
Starting in 2008 she formed a partnership with pianist Steve Christofferson, performing at Frankie's, Tula's, The Heathman and Benson hotels, and other jazz venues around the Northwest and as far away as New Orleans. They recently released their fourth CD together, I Remember You, a gorgeously conceived work featuring masterful interpretations of classic American songs. “The poignant communication between Heather and Steve speaks volumes about their 14-year collaboration” says Tom Grant.
Heather has also performed with other premier jazz musicians, including Tom Grant, Vince Frates, Dennis Caiazza, and Ron Steen, as well as Bay Area pianist David K Mathews who is currently touring with Santana and Seattle's Milo Petersen, formerly with Eartha Kitt.
Heather earned an honor's degree in French at Portland State University in 1992 and is a certified and devoted Montessori teacher and the proprietress of The Happy Children's Montessori in Hillsboro, Oregon. She shares the joy of music and French with the children in her school every day.