(live) jimmy paxson jr . drums daryl johnson . bass deron johnson . whirl brandon walters . guitar
(recording) jimmy paxson jr . drums julian coryell . guitar and things peels (ben peeler) . lap steel brett simons . bass zac rae . keys n things rich mangicaro . percussion mike baker. lil kit zack lodmer . clarinet
(new photos) steven smith
NEW ALBUM avail for purchase online soon!
Influences
mood, dynamics, feel, soul; the kind of artist where with cd on repeat there's always something new to hear; emmy lou harris, jimmy smith, donny hathaway, billie holiday, nina simone, bessie smith, ella fitzgerald, emmy lou harris, miles davis, jeff buckely, neil young, willie nelson, led zeppelin, tool, bonnie raitt, stevie nicks, sting, many local folks around...... the list continues .
WATCH THE VIDEOS
MUSIC VIDEO: "With One Breath"
(at Stagg Street Videos, by Gary Denton)
I am a Los Angeles native (yes, really ... there are people born in LA that stay).
I found my way to the piano sometime before the age of three and
just as I believe that although we choose how we walk
our paths, we don’t choose our fates ... somewhere it is already written.
Since my earliest memories music has been my voice.
What I know about myself is that I observe the human
condition and capture feeling through song and melody.
I love people in all their greatness and with all
their flaws. Growing, learning, teaching, and just being ... just
being here in the moment , this moment right now is
what I love putting into a song.
To sing in a room of people no matter the size and to watch as the audience before me experiences their own meaning from what songs convey ... intrigues me the most because it is music that brings people together.
During my years at UCLA I began working various jobs which included teaching music in inner city schools, tutoring students with special needs, working in
temples teaching Jewish music (that I am), and where I also began
writing, recording, touring, and selling records of the
trunk of my car.
After I returned from my first trip backpacking throughout
Europe where I performed in Spain, I realize that I wanted
to make traveling around the world playing music and meeting
great people a part of my life forever.
Following the footsteps of Artists I
respect, I dove head first into a "do it yourself -
grass roots approach" to do what I love simply because I believe in
creating opportunity as opportunity finds you. I have independently performed in Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, France, Spain, the UK, India, Nepal, and throughout the US.
There are many stories to tell of how experiences have unfolded throughout the years.
Opportunities to work with established producers and writers developed from simply typing
"producers in LA" in a google search one day. Putting together benefit concerts in different cities to fund-raise for early childhood music education led to touring the US with regularity performing with wonderful women like Regina Spektor, Sara Bareilles, and Kaki King. Keeping in contact with those who support me over the years led to recently opening several dates for Loudon Wainwright III. And who would of guessed that climbing up a fire escape in Austin, TX during SXSW one year to throw my record
into the local radio station window for a possible spin would of actually worked?
I have met and worked with so many wonderful people - some who have
grown to be my dear friends, as others have extended
themselves to be a part of the musical growth and
development in my career. Jimmy Paxson, Niko Bolas, George Massenburg, Julian Coryell,
Staci Slater, Matt Messer, Brenden Okrent, Seth Saltzman,
Marshall Altman, Steve Greenberg, Matt Messer, David
Byrnes, Nathaniel Kunkel, Russ Kunkel, Viktor Krauss,
Matt Rollings, Dean Parks, Ben Peeler,
Rich Mangicaro, Erich Gobel, B.F. (a special thanks to you), the
other names to be added, and your name when I meet
you....THANK YOU for your continued support.
The process of growing, the continuous journey of living, and loving
inspires me to embrace the opportunities to take risks
amidst the chaos of letting new journeys begin. The
fantastic whirlwind of I do’s, I’m not sure's, I don’t have
any idea, and I will anyway give me freedom of the mind,
to be out of the mind. Each day reminds me that the
truth is found through love by following the heart ...
Jenni, you definitely rocked the house last night @ Zoey's; it's a pleasure to have a talent like yours grace that humbled stage. Can't wait 'til you come back! Mia says HI and thanks you for keeping her company last night.
How is your summer Going & what have you been up too Sorry I havent written you in a while your your new song Rocks you have a beautiful singing voice Thanks for being a friend Have a rocking weekend
Hello There... It was nice meeting you the other day, I really enjoyed performing with you, hope to do it again sometime, perhaps under better circumstance though :)
I have my own particular sorrows, loves, delights; and you have yours. But sorrow, gladness, yearning, hope, love, belong to all of us, in all times and in all places. Music is the only means whereby we feel these emotions in their universality.
Read this, this morning.. thought I would share.. I hope all is going well with you and your music.. Take Care
