touring with: Jamie Fox (one X, the original) on guitar and Stephan Crump on the bass --
just recorded with: the gentlemen above, plus Dan Rieser on drums (Tony Mason is second drummer along with Dan on "Time"), Peter Rende on piano and pump organ, Liberty Ellman on guitar, Todd Reynolds on violin, Caleb Burhans on violin/viola, Courtney Orlando on violin, and Adam Kolker on clarinet
Influences
life
Sounds Like
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Jen Chapin’s music is urban folk — story songs that search for community and shared meaning, powered by the funk, soul and improvisation of the city. Critics have hailed her work on her albums Linger (2004) and Ready (2006) as “brilliant.. soulfully poetic” (NPR), “thoughtful.. worth-savoring” (People), “addictive” (Boston Globe), “smart, observant, lyrically deft, politically aware and emotionally intuitive” (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel). JazzTimes has called her “a first-rate storyteller” while Relix regards her as “one of the freshest voices singing today." She has been featured on “Late Nite with Conan O’Brien,” honored by the USA Songwriting Competition, appeared on stage with Bruce Springsteen, and opened up for Bruce Hornsby and the Neville Brothers. Her performances are powerful, spotlighting the world-class musicianship and rare chemistry of husband/acoustic bassist Stephan Crump and guitarist Jamie Fox, with the frequent special addition of guitarist Liberty Ellman. As an activist, educator and mother, Jen also brings the knowledge and insight of varied experience (student/traveler in Mexico and Zimbabwe, BA in International Relations, longtime Member, Chair and Secretary of the Board of WHY – (http://www.whyhunger.org) to her workshops and presentations to college, community and church groups.
Light of Mine: the new double-disc CD/DVD available now at http://www.jenchapin.com
Strange days indeed: these years have brought us torture, wire-tapping, and a patriotism based on wearing lapel pins, shopping, and ignoring the constitution. Fear (or just the fear of fear) has made our thinking flat and closed and has perverted our national decision-making into something unrecognizable. We resign ourselves to powerlessness and fall into the arms of the strongman. We wait for answers to fall out of the sky. We keep our defiance safely contained to our blog screens.
Or we remember to make some noise. We reclaim our own sparkling power and responsibility, and remember to seek the truth, to protest, to create a real future individually and collectively, and to dream.
Light of Mine is 11 songs from the past 35 years that explore these notions of power and fear. The band is the critically-acclaimed “Rosetta Trio”, featuring double bassist Stephan Crump and guitarists Jamie Fox and Liberty Ellman. The songs are: Backdrifts, by Radiohead, American Skin (41 Shots), by Bruce Springsteen, Starman, by David Bowie, Insatiable, by Jen Chapin, Into the Mystic, by Van Morrison, Everybody is a Star, by Sly Stone, Born in the USA, by Bruce Springsteen, Sunny Sunday, by Joni Mitchell, Nobody Told Me, by John Lennon, You Haven’t Done Nothin’, by Stevie Wonder, Lullabye, by Jen Chapin.
The DVD (live) performances are: Little Hours, American Skin (41 Shots), Me Be Me, Into the Mystic, Sunny Sunday, Passive People, Manchild, Nobody Told Me, Scream Laugh Cry, Strip it Bare, Go On, You Haven’t Done Nothin’, I Could Fall
And videos: Let it Show, Election Day, Backdrifts
Political subtexts aside -- or are they front and center? -- this album is a groovefest, a playground of spirited dialogue, passionate expression and forward momentum.
So happy that you are coming to Leeds after all this time. Can't wait to see/hear you! I pinched myself when I spotted your gig listings the other day. Thanks so much for putting me back on your friends after my old profile went down.
I'm going to play 'Let it Show' again to celebrate.
Hey sister Jennie! why don't cha bring the whole band and come join me on my new FM spot on Saturday nights....from 7:30 till 10 on WXLV. ORG ? It's a fast paced three hours with the usuall Rough Draft Freeform Radio stuff.....bootlege (thanks Mud) and live performances....they have a 32 track board and we'll spin some tunes and you might be moved to pick and sing a few for your old radio pal....so what cha say sweet Jen?......let me know and the night is yours and the listeners will dig it ! See ya soon I hope your old pal, Ralph Rough Draft Freeform Radio Program Saturday nights from 7 till 10 on WWW. WXLV. ORG and Monday Nights on WWW. HOMEGROWNRADIONJ. ORG from 9:30 till midnight
Jen - regarding my message to you - I have booked for the London gig on Sep 11 with a prayer that I can get home afterwards and up the next morning! See you there, and looking forward to it! Alison
Thanks for joining, Jen. And thanks for finding the songs that sing out to what really matters these days and singing them with such passion and truth. All the best, Sara
Hey Jen, I know you here this way too much, but your father is such an inspiration to me and my family. I saw you and your family in Newberry Sc a while ago, and was wondering if you guys were going to come back. I love your music and the things that you stand for, keep up the great work.
Hey Jen, Beautiful music here! Merrill asked me about gigs for you in London when you come. Email Laurah at The Regal Rooms,via their myspace page, I'm sure they'll welcome you. Best Dean
Your father's music has been an inspiration in my life. I'm honored to have you add me to your page! Please take a moment and visit glenwoodsmith. com and let me know what you think. And thanks for your music. I can't wait to hear more! Peace.
Hi Jen ~ Your lyrics are quite thought provoking - your vocals spot-on - a real pleasure :) Thanks so much for checking out the new song 'Big Hit In India' ~ Really appreciate it! Best to you! Cheers:)
Aside from the fact that you have incredible songs and a beautiful vocal delivery, your sound mix is phenominal!! Props to the engineer and producer =) Can't wait to see you in LA!!
Thanks for having us in your circle of friends. Any friend of "Ready" is fine by us! If you can’t make the world a better place, at least try to improve the soundtrack. Hope to see you in Livonia! Best wishes from Motown.
