Mandy Faye Releases Joyful New Album 'My Friends,' a Genre-Bending Children's Jazz Celebration of Community and Connection
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CALGARY, AB, May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mandy Faye (they/them), formerly Music With Mandy, the beloved Calgary-based children's artist best described as "The Wiggles meets Diana Krall" – is thrilled to announce the release of their new album, 'My Friends,' out now. A richly layered journey through the many facets of friendship, the album travels across jazz, swing, bossa nova, and beyond, showcasing Mandy's signature gift for crafting music that delights children while pulling grown-ups into the joy right alongside them.
Recorded with an all-star ensemble of Alberta's finest jazz and children's musicians – including Matt Morris on piano, Kodi Hutchinson on bass, Jim Johnston on drums, André Wickenheiser on cornet, Carsten Rubeling on trombone, Keith O'Rourke on clarinet, and even Bob Fenske on spoons – 'My Friends' is a genuine collaborative achievement. From the rollicking energy of "Sugar Rush" to the tender warmth of "A Little Time," the album pulses with authenticity and genuine musical sophistication.
The heart of the album is community. The track "Celebrate Over Supper" captures this spirit with vivid warmth, inspired by Mandy's upbringing as a "Misplaced Manitoban" in Medicine Hat, Alberta – where their family built a chosen family of friends who gathered each Christmas to share traditional foods, hot tub misadventures, and the particular magic of belonging. "Travelling" offers another tender moment, drawn from Mandy's experience of a family scattered across Canada: "I'd drive all day long / And some of the night / Cross the miles between us / So we can reunite." It speaks to anyone who has ever counted the kilometres to someone they love.
Mandy Faye's path to becoming one of Canada's most distinctive children's artists is as singular as their sound. Grounded in jazz studies at MacEwan University, they are currently a vocal instructor with the Calgary Stampede's Young Canadians School and an early childhood music instructor at Chinook School of Music. Their performances have captivated audiences at the International Children's Festival for the Arts, JazzYYC, Calgary Pride, and the National Music Centre, earning multiple YYC Music Award nominations and a WCMA nod.
"Kids' music has the power to be nostalgic and innovative at the same time," says Mandy. "I get to write songs that inspire the next generation, while also creating moments where adults can reconnect with joy and play alongside their kids. What could be better than that?"
Media Contact:
Eric Alper
647-971-3742
SOURCE Mandy Faye
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