Artist Information
Biography
Heidi Jane is an independent musician living in San Francisco. She has become known locally for her unique hybrid of fiddle-playing which infuses lilting Irish accents with African and Latin rhythms. Her first CD, The Cart Before The Horse!, garnered national attention and was featured on National Public Radio’s “Morning Edition”. "A Thousand Reasons Why" is her follow-up CD, and is already becoming a folk-pop favorite among her fans.
“...Engaging, cohesive and lyrical. Heidi Jane sounds right at home with her clear vocals, fluid phrasing and excellent arranging. Infectious rhythm guitars are reminiscent of the joyful side of Paul Simon’s catalog. Definite singer/song-writer appeal with her well-written structure and memorable rhymes. All-around good music!”
- TAXI A&R review of Heidi Jane's song “La Faranda”
“..An absolutely joyous musical romp, with just the right hint of the Irish. The tunes on this fabulous album magically transform the foggy streets of San Francisco into a bright, sunny day!”
- National Public Radio Theme composer, BJ Leiderman
….“A beautiful, pure voice with the fluidity of Joni Mitchell. Imagine early Liz Phair minus the swearing, merged with some Enya and you're on the right track.”
- Susan White, Ex-Mogul Music
..."Happy, hopeful, upbeat, illuminated and illuminating. Deep emotions expressed in simple words and rhymes. Heidi Jane constructs idiosyncratic songs that reflect an unusual view and appreciation of the world. The melodies and rhythms are catchy and memorable, the lyrics more like little stories or, as the French say, pensées. Heidi Jane manages to make the violin into a pop instrument with her flexible, energetic playing…"
- Jeremiah Sutherland, Bullfrogmusic
RIYL: Suzanne Vega, Sinead O'Connor, Yael Naim, The Waterboys, Peter Gabriel, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon and Nova Scotian fiddle player extraordinaire, Natalie MacMaster.
Heidi Jane has international experience on stage and enjoys performing. She has shared the bill with a wide variety of world-renowned artists including such greats as Carlos Santana and West African pop diva Angelique Kidjo.
Instrumentation
Heidi Jane performs with a variety of musicians depending upon venue, occasion and event.
Here are the album credits for her recent release (2009) "A Thousand Reasons Why" which include some of her very favorite musicians:
Heidi Jane - vocals, violin, viola, piano, keyboards, organ, drum and bass programming, percussion, Tonette toy whistle
Chris Brown – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, melodica, percussion
David R. – bass, backing vocals, trumpet
Blair Walker – electric guitar
Chris Rossbach – electric guitar
Rob Reich – accordion
Baba Ken Okulolo – talking drum
Lemi Barrow – drums
Ron Sloan – drums
Produced by: Heidi Jane, Chris Brown and David R.
Executive Producer: Mitch Barrie
Written and arranged by: Heidi Jane
Discography
Heidi Jane: "A Thousand Reasons Why"
Copyright 2009
1. La Faranda
2. The Hardest of Times
3. Will It All Fall Down?
4. Tony
5. Whiskey Before Breakfast
6. The Songs We Used To Play
7. Lullaby
Video
Photo Gallery
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cover
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HJ Cover
Download print quality (high-res) version
Press
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Some early reviews
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“Engaging, cohesive and lyrical. Heidi Jane sounds right at home with her clear vocals, fluid phrasi...
Setlist
Heidi Jane's ideal set includes 30 minutes of music: the songs from "A Thousand Reasons Why" interspersed with some lively Celtic instrumentals in the tradition of The Waterboys and Sinead O'Connor.