Artist Information
Biography
JEANNIE WILLETS - acoustic pop/jazz/folk/rock singer/songwriter & performing artist
Originally from Long Island, New York, Jeannie began writing songs at age 15. Upon creating an impressive style of guitar-playing, a simple yet sophisticated writing technique and an alluring way of expressing it all with her velvet-smooth vocals, Jeannie started performing on Long Island and then in Greenwich Village, in the mid-80’s, where she played on the same stages as Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega and Christine Lavin and, in upstate New York, where she opened for folk hero, Cliff Eberhardt. Eventually, she made L.A. her home and has performed at award-winning venues like, Genghis Cohen and The Derby, in Hollywood, as well as, in surrounding cities, at The Coffee Gallery Backstage, the Fremont Theatre, and many more. Jeannie has, also, supported human rights with her music and has performed in Europe for such causes and, this Christmas, (for the second year in a row), she donated 100 of her CDs to our troops.
In 2004, Jeannie won 2nd Prize in a Singer-Songwriter contest sponsored by Los Angeles Women In Music for her song, "Plans With You", and in 2005, she released her debut CD, "Anywhere I Go", available at www.cdbaby.com/willets. Jeannie has, also, collaborated with outstanding songwriters, such as, (Nashville-based) Jimmy Borja, well-known for some of his hits by recording artists in the Philippines; as well as, with husband, Bill Willets, on the beautiful ballad, "Behind Your Eyes".
As a songwriter, four of her songs have been included on two separate children's albums, one of which was a project for Marvel comics and the other was the #1 selling children's CD of its kind in 2003 and is still going strong.
One of Jeannie's songs, "That's Christmas", also, appears on a holiday compilation CD, released in 2006, and is available at www.cdbaby.com
Jeannie does many intimate solo performances throughout the year and performs, as well, with her band. But, besides sharing her own original songs with her audiences, Jeannie also does special appearances where she performs nothing but "old jazz standards", among other favorites, in her own warm and unique style. For these special performances, Jeannie is available for private parties, wine bars, and other special events. For booking information, send an e-mail to: jwmuzic@yahoo.com
To book Jeannie Willets for her "original music" shows, please use the same e-mail address above. In concert, Jeannie performs up to one hour, (or more, if requested), of her original compositions in various musical styles, with the accompaniment of her Taylor acoustic/electric guitar. What sets Jeannie's performance and playing apart from others is that she plays her instrument as if it were a piano, in that she finger-picks in her own unique way, using bass notes to "round out" the accompaniment, making it sound like there are other instruments helping out and therefore offering a "bigger sound". Combining that with the warmth of her smooth "heart and soul-full" vocals and you've got a winning combination. Jeannie's inherently friendly nature and sunny sense of humor come through in her "live" shows as well, making for a truly enjoyable concert and listening experience. Jeannie is available for house concerts and festivals, as well as, intimate "listening room style" venues and is now booking shows, promoting her original music and new up-coming CD release, for Summer and Fall of 2011, as well as, January/February shows of 2012.
Jeannie is currently working on her new CD, projected to be released in the Spring of 2012.
For Jeannie's concert schedule of her up-coming shows and other info and updates, please visit:
www.jeanniewillets.com (or see Calendar section here.)
Visit: www.cdbaby.com/willets to hear samples of each song on the album, "Anywhere I Go".
You can also follow Jeannie on Twitter or "friend" her on Facebook.
Instrumentation
Jeannie Willets - Lead vocals & acoustic guitar
Bill Willets - Drums / Cajon
Berington Van Campen - Lead guitars (electric, acoustic, 12-string acoustic, 12-string electric)
Andrew Kelsey - Bass & background vocals
John Zipperer - (Alternate guitarist) - guitars and mandolin
Tara Sitser - backup vocals
occasional guests:
Dale La Duke (of Kaedmon & Five Wheel Drive)- accordion
Luke Halpin - (of Stephanie Bettman duo) on fiddle
Kris Garrett (of Kaedmon & Five Wheel Drive)- background vocals
Nora Koerber - on background vocals
Daniel McFeeley - harmonica
Ed Terry (The Spoonman) - on spoons
Discography
"Anywhere I Go" - LP - debut CD
-on Sungroove Records.
-Some tracks from this LP get regular airplay on Larry Wines KCSN radio show, "Tied To The Tracks".
Official Website
Links
Audio
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Plans With You
Listen Download -
Look My Way
Listen Download -
Heart On A String
Listen Download -
Anywhere I Go
Listen Download -
Such A Comfort
Listen Download -
That's When I Think Of You
Listen Download -
So Nice
Listen Download -
The Heart Is The Place
Listen Download -
Everything About You
Listen Download
Lyrics
Video
Photo Gallery
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Jeannie Willets
Download print quality (high-res) version (Right Click -> Save As) -
IMG_4937
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Jeannie Willets
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Jeannie Willets
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Jeannie Willets & Band
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Jeannie Willets - "Anywhere I Go" album cover
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Jeannie Willets
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Jeannie "live" - singing "All I Ever Wished For", co-written with Jimmy Borja.
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Jeannie "live"
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Jeannie Willets
Press
Setlist
1. Look My Way
2. So nice
3. Setting Sun
4. Heart On A String
5. I Got The Signal (not yet recorded)
6. The Heart Is The Place
7. Anywhere I Go
8. Nature Intended It That Way
9. Anytime I Want (not yet recorded)
10. That's When I Think Of You
11. etc., etc.

