Jean Mazzei Music

Artist Information

Biography

"[Jean Mazzei] ... is a powerful stamp in a crowded field."
---- John Patrick, Progression Magazine, March 2010

A diverse and dynamic performer. Jean Mazzei is equally entertaining whether fronting her rock band Flying Venus, playing a jazz gig, or performing her solo acoustic 'caffeinated folk rock.' Captivating audiences with both her magnetic stage presence and commitment to the art and craft of songwriting, she has appeared on the Bay Area’s premier stages including The Little Fox Theater and The Boom Boom Room and released five full-length Cd's. Her song “Face of a Nation” (Flying Venus, 2006) won 4th place in the Unisong International Song Contest (LUNCH category), while her latest CD release, 2008’s “Breathing Under Water,” produced by Grammy nominee Ronan Chris Murphy has aired on more than 70 radio stations nationwide. A life-long student of yoga, Jean has twice traveled to India to study with Pandit Rajamani Tigunait, leads international workshops, and teaches her own "Rock Star Yoga" at several Bay Area studios where she inspires others to 'bring it!' both on, and off, the mat.


What others are saying about Jean Mazzei's music:

"... a powerful stamp in a crowded field." Progression Magazine

"Mazzei’s album is a testament to singer-songwriters who don’t need to stay stuck in the mold of indie, acoustic folk songs." —Gilli Moon, Songsalive!

" a matchless voice and an even more unique musical arrangement... abstract and distinct." —Kendra Beltran, Bryan Farrish Radio Promotions

"Jean's voice is a sleek sultry sound that is pure
listening pleasure," — Heather Burke, Raven Entertainment

"Jean Mazzei has something audiences will really dig!" -- Kurt Elling, Blue Note Recording Artist

“eclectic and smart” —Jon Flannagan, Radio and Retail

"[Jean's] material is grown-up, authentic stuff that moves through interesting places..." ---Sandra Marlowe, jazz singer

Instrumentation

Jean Mazzei - vocals, guitar

She adds bass, drums, keyboards, or whatever will make the best show per the client's venue and budget.

Discography

2008 Breathing Under Water
2006 Face of a Nation (with Flying Venus)
2004 At Last (ear candy, jazz standards and originals)
2003 Wild Heart Girl
2002 Pre-banned

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter
• The Great Idea Tour
• Sri Yoga Trainings and Retreats

Audio

• Big Girls Don't Cry
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• Big Girls Don't Cry (with Lost in the Chaos intro at end)
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• Lost in the Chaos
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• Bad Luck Black Cat and a Ladder
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• Driving Over Water
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• Breathing Under Water
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• Face of a Nation
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• Wild Heart Girl
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• Inside of Me
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• American Nightmare
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• My LIttle Cell
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• Hidden
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• A Million Stars
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• Where Are You Tonight?
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• Remember Me Remember You
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• Tinsel and Rocks
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• Long Road to Memphis
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• 21st Century Santa Claus
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• 21st Century Santa Claus
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Lyrics

• Big Girls Don't Cry
• Lost in the Chaos
• Bad Luck Black Cat and a Ladder
• Driving Over Water
• Breathing Under Water
• Face of a Nation
• Wild Heart Girl
• Inside of Me
• American Nightmare
• Hidden
• A Million Stars

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Breathing Under Water CD [+ Show ]
  

  “BREATHING UNDER WATER marks a big leap forward on my journey as a songwriter.” Jean Mazzei writes o...“BREATHING UNDER WATER marks a big leap forward on my journey as a songwriter.” Jean Mazzei writes on her website. “With this album, I feel like I have come home, trusting and listening to my voice as an artist.” The tongue twister first song “A Bad Luck Black Cat & a Ladder” is an interestingly groovy and melodic guitar driven song that talks of black cat bad luck as a metaphor for being alone. She twists the tale (tail?) weaving in and out of her loneliness story through her cat needs. It’s quite a humorous yet poignant song. With the excellent touches of grammy nominated producer Ronan Chris Murphy, Jean Mazzei’s album is a really cool and hip sounding album, with sonic textures and interesting guitar sounds.
  Her second song “Big Girls Don’t Cry” is a somewhat melancholy and introspective song, entrancing with the sounds she uses. Third song, “Lost in the Chaos”, is like an opening to a 9 Inch Nails song, the distorted guitars and loops are very hard edge, and with her voice, it has a touch of Portishead. I really enjoyed listening to this song, because the sounds were so different. Again, she has a melancholic overtone, and I feel that this theme is somewhat relatable to any individual who deals with the pressures and stresses of life, lost romance, chaotic work life and such. Jean Mazzei’s album is a testiment to singer-songwriters who don’t need to stay stuck in the mold of indie, acoustic folk songs. She has taken relatively sensitive songs to a new place with the production and sonic textures and it’s worked. Please go check out Jean’s album at http://cdbaby.com/cd/jeanmazzei3
  
  
  - Gilli Moon
  
  

• Face of a Nation [+ Show ]
  

  “Face of a Nation”, is a fun yet serious excursion through finely crafted pop tunes: high energy emo...“Face of a Nation”, is a fun yet serious excursion through finely crafted pop tunes: high energy emotional funky pop styled rebel anthems that also explode into heavy metal rock and roll gale force winds that take flight without thought. Moving in and out and around the melody like a band of gypsies, Flying Venus, dips, rattles and roars through 14 songs (all tracks written by Jean Mazzei except 10 & 13). Their bio states the band is an abundant blend of “Heavy Americana” and “80’s retro sound with a fresh twist, fishnets included.”. The band’s enthusiasm is strong and consistent while some of the music gets a bit off the main path but quickly catches the drift back to center. Each track a journey down it’s own road, lyrics chosen well and performed with passion by Jean Mazzei and backup Dori Petrie. On “Sweet Dreams”, cool cover of the Eurythmics hit of the early 80’s, Petrie handles the lead vox with confidence. The title song, “Face of a Nation”, is a conscience shattering message with Jean’s voice an illumination about the condition we’re in right now with universal not just global social concerns. "Long Road to Memphis", "House of Cards", and "American Nightmare" are worthy to note. BC Cliver, classically trained artist transforming music beyond genres, delivers monster guitar with the notes and chords bouncing off Xavier Guerrero’s bass lines and Fred Harris precision beats on the drums. Cover songs tend to test a fan's patience but “She Drives Me Crazy” and “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” are performed well. Flying Venus is a free flying, spirited and enlightened blast to the past but you can come back safely tp the present anytime. Check out the album art - earth friendly cardboard sleeve!

• Face of a Nation [+ Show ]
  

  Face of A Nation is a soulful album with a funky undertone that makes you glad you picked up this cd...Face of A Nation is a soulful album with a funky undertone that makes you glad you picked up this cd.
  
  Jean's voice is a sleek sultry sound that is pure listening pleasure, accompanied by the ideal instrumental groovy. Making Face Of A Nation a must have for your cd collection.
  
  My favorite tracks on this cd are Long Road To Memphis and Kinda Like U although I didn't find a track on this cd I didn't like. These two songs just
  happen to speak to me. You will find while listening to Face Of A Nation that the album has a pure ambiance about it that flows from one song to the next.
  
  Leaving you eager for your next taste of what Flying Venus has to offer!

• Wild Heart Girl [+ Show ]
  

  "...Mazzei's self-described "attitude pop" has a pleasant, retro-'80s girl band feel. Her voice is g..."...Mazzei's self-described "attitude pop" has a pleasant, retro-'80s girl band feel. Her voice is great... Word on the street is she's an exceptional jazz vocalist. A thudding bass line and squealing guitar breaks with Mazzei's funky vocal stylings creating a song that sounds like a perfect soundtrack for a '70s B movie..."

Setlist

Typical sets are 21-62 minutes. Solo acoustic can play 2.5 hrs with no covers. With band can play 3.5 hrs.

Basic Requirements

Calendar