Bess Jacques & The Strays
Bess Jacques & The Strays are a Maine-based band performing a blend of jazz, pop, and eclectic originals. The band's sound ranges from lush vocal ballads to hard-swinging instrumentals, from pensive to pulsing, for a mix of sounds that is both classic and fresh.
The band: Bess Jacques leads the band on piano and vocals, joined by a selection of Portland's top talent. On its monthly date at Blue (third Wednesdays), the band features Tracy McMullen on saxophone, Duane Edwards on bass, and Jan van Voorst van Beest on drums. Other current and past Strays include: founding member Kate Campbell Strauss (saxophone), founding member Per Hanson (drums), Darren Whitney (saxophone), Asher Barreras (bass), Evan Haines (guitar), Sheldon Perkins (drums), and other beloved local talents.
New Single
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March 20, 2026
In solidarity with the first day of spring, Bess Jacques & The Strays released a trio take on Duke Ellington's 1944 gem "I'm Beginning To See The Light". Piano, vocals, and arrangement by Bess, with bass by Duane Edwards, and drums by Jan van Voorst van Beest. Thanks to Jason Phelps (engineering, mixing) and Alice Anderson (engineering) at Acadia Recording Company, also to Pat Keane (mastering), for their work on this song. Hear the SingleListen to "I'm Beginning To See The Light" by streaming or purchasing on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube, etc.
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Music Video: starling blackbird
Debut Album
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Anthems for Lily Briscoe is the debut album by Bess Jacques & The Strays. Released in March 2025, the album comprises eight songs written by band leader Bess Jacques (piano & vocals) and three more, one each, written by band members Duane Edwards (bass), Tracy McMullen (saxophone), and Jan van Voorst van Beest (drums). Guest artists make appearances on several tracks, including Kate Campbell Strauss (saxophone on "Hotel Land"), Evan Haines (guitar on "The Viking") , and Jack Plato (trumpet on "Zefir" and "The Viking"). The resulting eleven-song album of originals melds jazz and pop and singer-songwriter styles into a groovy, dreamy, epic sonic journey.
get the album• Support the cause and purchase the CD or digital download at BandCamp
• Listen on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, iTunes, YouTube, etc. |
Album Credits
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The band:
Bess Jacques piano & vocals Duane Edwards bass Jan van Voorst van Beest drums Tracy McMullen tenor and soprano saxophone (except on "Starling Blackbird" and "Hotel Land") Guests: Kate Campbell Strauss tenor saxophone on "Hotel Land" Evan Haines guitar on "The Viking" Jack Plato trumpet on "Zefir" and "The Viking" |
All songs written by Bess Jacques except: "Origami" by Jan van Voorst van Beest, "Izmere Linger is No Longer" by Tracy McMullen, and "Ferry Service" by Duane Edwards
Produced by Bess Jacques Production consultant Kate Campbell Strauss Recorded by Jason Phelps and Alice Anderson at Acadia Recording Company Additional recording by Justin Maxwell and Evan Haines Mixed by Jason Phelps Mastered by Pat Keane at Pat Keane Mastering Graphic design by Rowan Bishop Photography by Lauryn Hottinger at Lauryn Sophia Photography |