Soul Love is the third album from award-winning pianist/composer Jennifer DeFrayne, following her debut, By a Wire (2014), and Sisu (2017). Soon after Sisu, Jennifer was faced with a long series of health challenges that caused constant physical pain that made playing the piano nearly impossible. In 2022, she had two major surgeries to repair the nerve that was causing debilitating head pain and a reconstructive cervical spine surgery to correct complications from an earlier procedure. It was nearly three years before Jennifer could comfortably return to the piano. During that time, the loss of the creative outlet that had been central to her life for so long must have been devastating. Over time, inspiration and the creative spark returned and Jennifer began recording her new music in December 2025. Produced and engineered by Corin Nelsen (Jennifer’s husband), the album features many of the supporting musicians from her previous albums, including Charlie Bisharat (violin), Fiona Joy Hawkins (vocals), Jill Haley (English horn and oboe), Jeff Haynes (percussion) and more. It’s a beautiful comeback with eleven heartfelt and deeply emotional tracks, ten that are original.

Soul Love begins with “Finding You,” a love song, pure and simple. Accompanied by Charlie Bisharat (violin), Sara Milonovich (fiddle), Michael Manring (fretless bass) and Jeff Haynes (percussion), Jennifer’s piano is tender and sincere. “You and I” features the magic of Jill Haley (English horn) and Charlie B in addition to the soulful piano. The music seems to flow directly from the heart with warmth and total honesty. “The Way We Fall” is a trio for piano, electronic wind instrument (Premik Russell Tubbs) and fiddle (Milonovich) that expresses a quiet passion that cannot be faked - beautiful and very poignant! “Journey of Love” was composed by Canadian guitarist Calum Graham and the line-up for this one is Jennifer (piano), Manring (bass), Tubbs (sax) and Haynes (percussion). Warm and slightly mysterious, this one’s a favorite! “The Beauty Within” brings in Eugene Friesen (cello) along with Fiona Joy Hawkins (wordless vocals) and Haley (English horn) - a bit of musical gentleness and peace. Ahhhhhh… The title track is a trio for piano, violin (Bisharat), and percussion (Haynes) that feels almost fragile in its delicate beauty. If it’s even possible, “Sonoran Blue” is even more peaceful. A trio for piano, oboe (Haley) and cello (Friesen), it provides a welcome massage for the mind! “Playing in the Snow” is a light-hearted duet with Charlie Bisharat that begins at the upper end of the piano keyboard, giving it a light but chilly start. “Abby’s Gift” is the only piano solo on the album, but what a beauty it is! The melody is strong enough to support lyrics, but none are necessary to tell the story! “Caribbean Sunset” is one of three singles released before the full album, and is quite lively. In addition to the piano, the piece features percussion (Haynes), flutes (Tubbs) and wordless vocals (Hawkins) - a quick getaway to a tropical paradise! “Memories of Them” is a second duet with Bisharat, who helps to take the piece peacefully soaring - a great closing to an excellent album!

Soul Love will be released on June 26, 2026 and is available to pre-order and pre-save from a variety of platforms including Amazon and Apple Music/iTunes. More links will be added as they become available. Check it out!!!