Music has never been a stranger to Jessica Santaferraro. This Bay Area native began singing before she could even speak and continued in front of family and friends until she was finally challenged to sing in front of a live audience. It began as a choir solo with 300 back up singers at the age of ten and she has not stopped performing since. Saxophone solos and musical theater shows were the primary focus in her early years, but as soon as she entered high school jazz music invaded her ears and the need to sing it would not go away.
Taking a jazz solo voice class at De Anza College only fed the desire to sing and soon the saxophone was left behind. She then moved into the slot of lead singer of the Chico State Funk Band and found popular music to be just as much her cup of tea. After performing countless jazz standards and infinite covers of popular songs, something seemed to be missing.
Jessica had been writing her own lyrics and songs since middle school but it was not until later in life that she discovered the missing link. Music was no longer a hobby; it was a need that constantly begged to be fed. Though influenced by artists like Billie Holiday, Janis Ian, Jeff Buckley, and Paula Cole, music, to her, was no longer about telling someone else's story, but rather living her own.
With the desire to be surrounded by more musically driven folks, Jessica packed her short-lived life into one tiny U-haul and head south to Los Angeles. Charted songs in hand, she tip toed into the open mic scene and began living her musical journey weekly. Monthly gigs followed and soon the lifeless pursuit of a musical career was alive and filling her breath with its air.
A soulful song or a deep blues groove allow her to share her stories this far. This quiet observer thrives on personal experience and good old people watching for endless inspiration. She grapples musically with love lost and found, family members passed, and the state of these so-called United States that she inhabits.
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