Jenn Friedman - Singer Songwriter Piano-Player
New York born and bred, Jenn Friedman is a little all over the place at any given time. She is a Capricorn, an advocate for eating disorder awareness, and a self-proclaimed "I Love Lucy" trivia queen. She loves crystals, records her dreams, and probably wants to be your friend. Jenn is Reiki certified, a vegetarian, and has a favorite tree in New Jersey. Most importantly, Jenn grew up brainwashed into believing that candy corn was to be eaten only on Halloween; thankfully, through years of proper exposure, she has learned that it is certainly acceptable to be eaten all year round.
At heart, however, Jenn is a Musician: Singer Songwriter on Keys. Her roots lie utterly in the creation and performance of music. At a seasoned three years of age, she sat at her parents' upright piano and, picking out the notes one by one, wrote her first song. For twenty years, this journey took her through the sounds of Peter, Paul and Mary, Carly Simon, Pete Seeger, swirling around the harmonies of the Beatles and the Beach Boys, and eventually hovering over Ani DiFranco, Jewel, Tori Amos, etc. A graduate of SUNY Purchase, Jenn spent her four years of college in "music lockdown," intensely writing, recording, and exploring the murky depths of the wild and crazy music industry, coming up for air while performing at such legendary venues as CBGB's, The Knitting Factory, The Sidewalk Café and more.
More recently, you can find Jenn performing at Pianos, Caffe Vivaldi, UnWined at Symphony Space, and Gavin Degraw’s National Underground. She was chosen to be a featured performer at Barnes and Noble Lincoln Center for a performance / signing of her album, “Open Book,” and was selected to participate in NY Songwriter’s Showcase at Public Assembly and The Bitter End. Jenn also played at the "Artist Loft Showcase" at Tainted Blue Studios which was filmed for prime time. She was a featured performer at Feminist Organization “Paradigm Shift NYC” Website Launch Party and is about to tour extensively through the Tristate area and Upstate New York, highlights including the Utica Music and Arts Festival and venues such as The Buttonwood Tree, Hotel Utica, and Tramontane Café.
Jenn was chosen to participate in the Reverbnation’s “Sponsored Song Program,” courtesy of Microsoft. She has received radio play on Connecticut-based NPR station "The Upper Room" with Joe Kelley and GI Dissault; Radio Crystal Blue Live 365 hosted by Dan Herman; “Next Show Radio” on New York’s “107.1 The Peak;” and “Rewbee’s World Radio Show.” Jenn has also achieved musical recognition in the U.K., ranking No. 1 on the U.K. Overplay Overall charts as well as receiving a Featured Artist Spotlight Review.
A devoted advocate of Eating Disorder Awareness and Recovery, Jenn has contributed a song and personal story to the book / CD compilation, "You Are Not Alone Volume 2," of which all proceeds go to eating disorder awareness organizations. She organized a Release Party at Bluestockings Bookstore that featured performances by such acclaimed advocates as Comedian Stacey Prussman and Acting Troupe “36-24-36.” She is currently involved in several upcoming projects to help raise eating disorder awareness.
Jenn’s music is a tightly knit interpretation of life’s dynamic and chaos - she strives for melodic, rhythmic and lyrical balance. Her songs have been described as "driving," "angelic," and "fierce." Her lyrics are an integral part of her rhythms, and she uses the piano as a solid, percussive force which gives way to endless, yet structured, spiritual ivory travels. A true singer/songwriter, Jenn’s songs are versatile in their musical style and their lyrical content, all the while having the common threads of her incredible piano skill and intense vocals, coaxing the listener on a magical journey through haunted houses, loooong car rides on open roads, unrequited love, and the occasional ditty about finding God at the circus!
So keep your eyes and ears open because Jenn Friedman's songs will take you on the ride of your life - which may or may not include candy corn.
Discography:
“Wake Up Summer” - 2004
“Open Book” - 2008