My name is Bess Jacques and I'm a Maine-based pianist and singer, performing regularly in the greater Portland area. I also teach piano lessons from my home in Westbrook.

Live music is my cup of tea.

I especially love playing for Weddings.

If you're curious you can read About my musical background.

Contact me. I'd love to hear from you.

• For 2018 Bess Jacques & The Strays will be adding Thursday nights at  Solo Italiano to their repertoire! We continue to enjoy our Sundays at MJ's Wine Bar.
• December is full of music. The Strays are playing at Solo Italiano, the Cumberland Club, and of course at MJ's Wine Bar every Sunday night. I'm also enjoying playing for the Westbrook Middle School choir concerts this season! Lots of holiday parties to play too. Good thing we learned that hot Latin-style version of "You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch".
• August 2017: Summer is flying and live music abounds. The Strays are performing weekly at The Cumberland Club and MJ's Wine Bar in Portland, The Hello Josephines have had fun playing outdoors in Westbrook and Biddeford, and I've hit the lanes playing with Pete Witham, Tom Jacques, and Per Hanson on the rooftop of Bayside Bowl and also over at Easy Day in South Portland.
• February 20: The Hello Josephines will be playing Valentine's Day evening at the Frog & Turtle. We also just booked events at The Portland Club and The Woodlands Club.
• November 22: Our jazz trio, Bess Berg & The Strays, is starting to play regularly at the Cumberland Club on High Street in Portland. Also, I'll be accompanying A Company of Girls in their production of A Charlie Brown Christmas on Dec. 8 & 9. And I'm accompanying the Westbrook Middle School choir in its upcoming concert on Dec. 6!
• June 12: My students will have their spring recital this afternoon at the beautiful Old White Church in Bar Mills. A grand Steinway with a view of the Saco River - only the best for my students!
• April 5: Kate Campbell Strauss & Friends was on WCSH's 207 tv show!
• February 10: Just booked monthly shows with a four-piece band led by Kate Campbell Strauss at St. Lawrence Arts on Munjoy Hill in Portland. We start in April.
• January 12: Bess Berg & The Strays just confirmed Sunday nights at MJ's Wine Bar through June! I'll also be playing the first Wednesday of each month out at the wonderful Frog & Turtle in my hometown of Westbrook, Maine.

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