JILL (BELLAMY) BRYDGES
Vocals, Songwriter
Jill has been singing as long as she can remember. Using the clothesline platform as a stage, she entertained her neighbourhood with popular songs of the late 50's, early 60's. In first grade she was in the school choir and throughout her school years sang in choirs, concerts, plays, folk clubs and music festivals. Jill moved to Calgary with her family in 1968, and joined her first band in 1970 at the age of 15. In 1971 she joined Geppetto with Greg Gunhold, Gary Weiss and Jim Irwin. Coming full circle, she is thrilled to be working with them again in GUNN.
Geppetto enjoyed success as a young group, gathering a following, opening for Crowbar, Willy Dixon, and well known artists at Summertown at the Calgary Stampede; Flash Cadillac & The Continental Kids, Dr. Music and Redbone.
In the late 70's she provided background vocals to the guests on the weekly televised "Wayne Vold Show" for CFCN, sharing the stage with Mickey Gilley, Eddie Rabbit, Ian Tyson, Sylvia Tyson, Stella Parton, Gary Ffellgard, T.G. Sheppard, Jessie Winchester, Valdy and many others. She sang with guest artists on broadcasts for CFCN with many well known musicians. Jill did several stints with Bobby Curtola, including a small tour, recorded jingles, background vocals and sang in clubs such as Marco's in the Calgary Inn sharing the vocal duties with Juno nominated Iris Larrett.
As a veteran vocalist over the last 54 years, Jill has sung all varieties of music taking pride in her versatility. Having spent 20 years in the house trio at the Calgary Petroleum Club entertaining Calgary's elite, she retired from there in 2016 joining GUNN a year later. Loving the challenge of working, writing and recording with GUNN's exceptional musicians Greg Gunhold, Gary Weiss, Jim Irwin and Brock Gillis, Jill feels incredibly blessed. And home.