Jen Chapin
Jen Chapin has been celebrated for writing “brilliant soulfully poetic urban folk music” (NPR) for over a decade, beginning with her debut, Open Wide, in 2002. Nurtured in and around NYC by a large family of artists, writers, and musicians, Jen's “observant, lyrically deft, politically aware and emotionally intuitive” (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel) songwriting features both her "extraordinary voice” (De krenten uit de pop, The Netherlands) and “astonishing jazz band” (popmatters), the combination of which has garnered her well-deserved praise, solidified by appearances on Late Nite with Conan O’Brien, NPR’s Mountain Stage, WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, WFUV's Sunday Breakfast with John Platt, Mary Sue Twohy's Folk Village and the Bob Edwards Show on Sirius Satellite.
Please preorder Jen’s new LP, CD or download now at: PLEDGE MUSIC
Enjoy Jen’s latest video celebrating social justice movements, “Gospel”
As much as an artistic legacy, the roots of Jen's upbringing have inspired her "potent, jazzy, layered folk" (Newsday) songs and a lifetime of passionate activism, through ongoing work with WhyHunger (founded by her late father Harry Chapin), and teaching civics and history in NYC public schools. She has performed on stage with Bruce Springsteen, on bills with Aimee Mann, Bruce Hornsby, and The Neville Brothers, her rendition of Van Morrison's "Into The Mystic" was featured in an episode of the SyFy TV series "Defiance". Jen Chapin's 2013 release Reckoning, produced and engineered by five-time GRAMMY© Winner Kevin Killen (U2, Elvis Costello, Kate Bush) was named among the best Americana albums of 2013 by Examiner.com and awarded First Prize, Lyrics category by the USA Songwriting Competition (for the song "Go Away").
"With songs delivered in a style that ranges from tender fragility to unexpected steeliness, Chapin brings a jazzy edge to the folk form. Sometimes she explores a fleeting emotion, sometimes she weaves a solid narrative—not at all surprising from the daughter of Harry Chapin, a master musical storyteller.” The New Yorker
Videos
Discography
Reckoning (2013) “.. stunningly brilliant.. a subtle, sophisticated recording that grows in stature with each listening and is well worth your consideration.” - Elmore Magazine
ReVisions: Songs of Stevie Wonder (2009) “sophisticated ..little short of miraculous” - The Sunday Times
Light of Mine (2008) “crossing multiple musical boundaries ...mesmerizing” -- Time Out London
Ready (2006) “supremely confident, slightly off-center, and instantly compelling." -- River Cities’ Reader
Linger (2004) “uncommon wit and sweetly supple singing” - Entertainment Weekly
Open Wide (2002) “cool ..spare funkiness” - Washington Post