Woking musician Wilma Baan is on a mission to put jazz in the spotlight

After a career balancing nursing and music, the Woking-based singer is bringing her love of jazz to local audiences, with sold-out performances at Cellar Magnifique and plans for a third album.

Wilma Baan is a musician on a mission – she wants to share her love of jazz with the people of Woking.

Perhaps you were lucky enough to see her alongside her two favourite musicians, Graham Harvey, piano and Jeremy Brown, double bass, last month at Cellar Magnifique, a charming little cheese and wine venue owned by Roland Foxcroft.

She says: “Roland and I are totally aligned when it comes to live jazz. I feel that jazz is not highlighted enough in Woking and applaud Cellar Magnifique for their efforts to serve it on their menu on a regular basis, along with the many other things they do. 

“Every time I have performed there it was completely sold out – enough proof that jazz does have an audience here.”

Wilma who has lived in Woking with her family for almost 30 years, grew up with jazz and classical music.

Living in Amsterdam in the 70s and 80s she combined her passion with her work as a nurse – invitations at jazz clubs, radio and performing at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague came at a point where she had to choose which of her loves to follow.

Having returned to the UK and raised a family, Wilma had more time to herself, picked up where she left off and “found the right environment in the London jazz scene to pursue my passion”.

Her first two albums were well received, and plans are now in place for a third.

Find out more and hear Wilma’s glorious voice at wilmabaan.com.

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