About Us
The Readers are a family adventure! It has long been a dream for veteran singer/songwriter Jim Reader to perform with his talented children, and at this moment in time, he couldn't be more proud! This family group is in the embryonic stage debuting with "An Evening of James" tribute concert. Julie and Jacqui Reader are versatile singers. Their strong voices provide for super tight harmonies, and provides for entertaining variety with three leads singers. The 'change-ups' keep audiences guessing who will carry the next song. Jim's unique finger picking style along with keyboard wizard Neil Henry and bass virtuoso Wes Caswell underscores the wonderful vocal presentation with a great overall sound.
​Honestly, no one on the planet plays guitar or sings like James Taylor. Therefore, imitating Taylor personally or musically is impossible. So Jim's re-imagined renditions are aimed at capturing the essence of JT's music - timeless songs that evoke memories and emotions.
Jim Reader > songwriter -acoustic guitar finger-picker -lead/harmony singer (see website)
Singer/songwriter Jim Reader (Dad) performed in his first professional gig in 1976. Jim has his own unique finger-picking style which has been the foundation for his overall body of work.
Jim has been up and down the music trail — from early days performing in the grocery store, to sharing the stage with artists such as Kenny Rogers, BJ Thomas and Tommy James and the Shondells during his band heydays (if you’re old enough to remember those guys!). Most recently, Jim was awarded 'West-Roots Album of the Year' from the National Traditional Country Music Association, USA. A songwriting highlight was winning the Theme Song Contest for the Western Canada Summer Games in Winnipeg in 1991 from scores of submissions.
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Jim writes music about our Western Heritage, and has three successful award winning albums to his credit. He has performed predominantly in the Roots/West genre south of the border.
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Julie Reader > sings lead and harmony
Julie is the harmony boss! She has been a harmonizing singing sensation since about the same time she learned to talk, which was less than a year old! She was a soloist during her high school years and was an active member of school bands and theatre productions. Julie has the angelic voice in the mix, both in harmonies and as a lead vocalist.
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Julie is Past-President (and member singer of course) of a very active 80+ voice adult choir in Calgary called Cum Vino Cantus. An extremely talented and versatile group of like-minded volunteer singers who take on some extremely challenging vocal arrangements.
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Julie is an RN and nurse educator at the Foothills Hospital in Calgary, AB
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Jacqui Reader > sings lead and harmony
Jacqui is a 'powerhouse' lead vocalist as Dad likes to call it! She is a strong lead singer and enjoys singing the harmonies with Julie and Jim.
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Jacqui was actively singing from an early age and started to show her skills fearlessly during elementary school where she was tops in school festivals as a soloist with rather challenging pop songs, and of course, according to Dad, nailed them!
Jacqui is a businesswoman and entrepreneur in Calgary, AB
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Neil Henry > keyboards
Neil was born and raised in Winnipeg. He made his way to Alberta as soon as he could, to begin a career in the oil patch. Thirty-eight years, three kids, and a dozen moves all over the planet later, he retired to Calgary.
Neil had years of classical piano lessons in his youth, but he can hardly read a note of music today. That hasn’t lessened his love of music (jazz, blues,folk, honky-tonk, classic rock) or stopped him from playing in jam and party bands for most of his adult life.
Neil loves adding a subtle keyboard touch to Jim’s original tunes, and to his interpretation of the incredible James Taylor songbook.
Wes Caswell > upright and electric bass
Wes has more than 35 years experience as a freelance bassist. He excels in numerous styles including jazz, blues, R&B, latin, country, pop, rock, fusion, funk, folk and musical theatre.
Wes has been a freelance bassist for performers such as Tommy Banks, Marvin Hamlish, PJ Perry, Andrew Glover and dozens more. Wes was bassist in Calgary for musical theatre in the Jublilee Auditorium, Stage West, Citadel & Arden Theater. He was bassist in Edmonton for the Edmonton Music Theatre eight years and Ice Capades four years.
Wes has been a producer, arranger, engineer, musical director and teacher.