How does an Irish girl become a chanteuse extraordinaire?

Born in London of Irish parents, the Byrne household was permeated by French influences, both from Jeannette's French grandmother and from the series of French au pairs who minded her and her siblings while their parents went off to work in the city. At 11 years old her family returned to Ireland, where Jeannette began showing her talent as a singer in school musicals and singing troupes.

Jeannette always had a yearning for France and its language. During her summers she would go to Paris and stay with her childhood au pair and, in a reversal of roles, help look after her children. During this time Jeannette became a fluent French speaker and learned many popular French songs. Jeannette’s passion for these songs has driven her to perform and record many of her favourites.Whether she sings with an orchestra, a café band or simply a pianist, Jeannette always enthralls her audiences with her heartfelt renditions of these great songs.

Jeannette's career started in earnest about 10 years ago with Jack L and the Black Romantics. Their show and subsequent album, WAX, launched Jack and Jeannette in their solo careers.

Her first EP Une Femme was voted one of the top five singles of the year in 1996 by The Irish Times and the diverse tracks received tremendous radio play around the country. One track, Une Femme, was used as the title track for a documentary on the late Princess Diana.

In 1998, her first solo album Elegy was a mixture of classic French songs and Gallic influenced compositions. It was voted album of the fortnight by Hot Press magazine and Jeannette received more rave reviews for her inimitable style. Her arrangement of Autumn Leaves is regarded as being outstanding. Although an independent album, she attained a manufacturing and distribution arrangement with BMG. Jeannette visited Spain, France, Holland and Canada promoting the album. University radios picked it up across the United States and Canada and her music has been used in French culture courses here and abroad. Elegy was recently re-released here and is proving very popular as a “chill-out” Romantic dinner party album, best enjoyed with a glass of good French wine.

Family commitments meant that Jeannette had to take time out from what was becoming a successful career. In constant demand for TV here and international events (she also sings in Spanish), Jeannette left music to focus on health issues concerning her youngest son. She opened the door for a series of French chanteuses that have emerged in Ireland these past few years. But, as The Irish Times wrote last year: “before there was……there was Jeannette Byrne, the original chanteuse….”

Since 2003, Jeannette has had several sell out shows at The Sugar Club, The Helix, The Festival of World Cultures, and the Wexford Music Festival. This year has plans to take her show to an international audience.

Her long awaited new album Café Diva sees Jeannette getting back to her French roots. It is a celebration of 40 years or so of the best French music. With wonderful arrangements and musicians, this album encapsulates the vocal magic that is Jeannette Byrne.

Jeannette lives in Dublin with her husband Pat and three sons.