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Courtesy of Brian Goldschmied.

I first heard Jill Zmud when she played with Dave Draves at Westfest last summer. The Ottawa singer-songwriter (originally from Saskatchewan) will release her first album Sunday at the Black Sheep Inn in Wakefield. The album, called As We Quietly Drive By, was produced by Draves at his Little Bullhorn studio. Draves is probably most well known for producing albums by Kathleen Edwards and Jim Bryson at his studio in the past. Zmud’s album combines folk, gospel and pop traditions seamlessly with a great collection of songs.

It is appropriate that one song on the album is called “Late to Bloom.” In the chorus, Zmud sings in her beautiful yet delicate voice:

Fine roses take their sweet time to bloom

If you wait and let me make my mistakes

I promise that I’ll open up and bloom

It’s evident that Zmud, who only started playing music when she was in her early 20s, wants to prove herself with this first effort at a full-length album. The songs she showcases in As We Quietly Drive By show a maturity that escapes most artists at the early stages of their career. If helps that Zmud has surrounded herself with some of Ottawa’s most talented singer-songwriters. Draves manages to give the songs a lot of depth with a healthy mix of piano, organ, cello and some fantastic backing vocals from a small group of very talented collaborators.

One of the standout tracks on the album, “East of the Line”, features the aforementioned Jim Bryson on guitar and back-up vocals. Bryson plays a memorable guitar riff in the song that could help the song become a radio hit. Zmud has already managed to impress the CBC’s Amanda Putz and Alan Neal.

I’m confident Zmud will also win over many other music lovers in Ottawa and beyond with the album. If you get the chance, go see her at the Black Sheep Inn and pick up the album. You won’t regret it.