Classic jazz/vocal artists like Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Rosemary Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Mel Torme, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Hoagy Carmichael, Carmen McRae, June Christy, Julie London, Sheila Jordan, Irene Krall, Anita O'Day; and contemporary favorites, Michael Buble, Norah Jones, Judy Roberts, Jackie Allen, Diana Krall, Eva Cassidy, Cassandra Wilson, Madeleine Peyroux; as well as The Beatles, Deborah Harry, Blondie, Rickie Lee Jones, Sheryl Crow, Aimee Mann, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, The Dixie Chicks, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, The Manhattan Transfer, The Redwalls, Wilco, The Grays, RHCP, The Donnas, The Ramones, David Bowie, Berlin, Carol King, Michelle Shocked, The Twigs, Linda Good, Rufus Wainwright, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Elliott Smith, Mike Frost Project, Uncle Earl, Vince Gill, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Tim Johnson ... to name a few whom I've drawn inspiration from ...
Jen Zias is a Chicago-based jazz, standards, country and pop vocalist. Over the past 12 years, she has performed at just about every Chicago landmark and festival, most recently as the resident weekend chanteuse at the world-famous Drake Hotel. Her music is an eclectic mix of covers and originals, ranging from American jazz standards, swing, bossa nova, and easy listening to classic rock, Motown and country. She has written and produced genre-themed tributes to many legendary performers including "Is That All There Is, Miss Lee: A Tribute to the great Peggy Lee", "Summer Roadtrip: a journey across America in Song", "Reel Music: A Tribute to the Great Songs of the Silver Screen", "Gershwin from A to Zing!". She regularly works with many of Chicago's hottest musicians including Dennis Anderson, Vijay Tellis-Nayak (Kick the Cat), Joe Policastro (Jeru), Jason Ellis, Joe Adamik (Caliphone), Dave Gordon, Mark Burnell, Bobby Schiff, Phil Gratteau, Chuck Christiansen, Bruce Altice, Scott Stephenson, Randy Henry, Gerald Dowd (Mabel Mabel, Robbie Fulks), Richard Knight, Jr. (Samba Bamba), Alejo Poveda (Chevre), Noelle Michaels, Amanda Wolff, and Kim Revere to name just a few!
During the holiday season, Jen performs in the all-female acapella trio "The Jingle Belles". Available for bookings beginning November 25th through December 31st, this group is adds ambience, charm, fun and great music to any holiday party ... Visit www.jinglebelles.com for more info!
Starting in September, Jen will be performing with her duo regularly at the charming "Tuscany Oakbrook". For more information visit her website at www.jenzias.com.
In January of 2008, Jen and her long-time best friend and writing partner, Robyn Monks, started the all-original country band, The Shaker Sisters. Their song, "All Night Through", was recently featured on the tv show, The Next GAC Star. For more info and to listen to tunes, visit their mySpace page www.myspace.com/theshakersisters or their website www.theshakersisters.com
