Jennifer Friedman

Artist Information

Biography

Jennifer is no stranger to the spotlight or big audiences, having developed in the rich artistic culture just outside of Chicago. As a teenager, she performed in front of thousands singing the American & Canadian National Anthems
for the Peoria Chiefs baseball team and Peoria Rivermen hockey team. Now living in Colorado, Jennifer stands out as the up & coming acoustic musician in the New Thought Spiritual Movement. A combination of outstanding vocal work, reflective lyrics, and beautiful melodies
highlighted by intricate guitar playing, have earned Jen a place on the must hear lists of folk fans and socially conscious people alike. Jennifer released her debut album, “You are Creation” in October 2005 and she received an
Honorable Mention award in the 2006 Peacedriven Songwriting Contest for her songs “No more parades,” “Words,”
and “Choices.” Selections from her album are being played on the Colorado Wave and Inland Folk, both syndicated
radio programs aired throughout the Mountain West. Jennifer has studied songwriting and performance technique
with important artists Holly Near, Peter Mayer, Vance Gilbert, and Dr. Isaye Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock fame.
Jennifer released her second album “Soulful Warrior” in August 2008 and has received airplay on public radio
stations throughout Colorado and the West. The album was produced by Cary Morin of The Atoll and recorded at
GP Productions in Longmont, Colorado. Jennifer can be heard singing back-up on award winning Minnesota folk
artist, Lisa Kane’s, fourth album “Armstrong Avenue” and on Colorado rock band, Wasabi’s album “The Border.”
Jennifer has performed at coffeehouses, clubs, and festivals up and down the Colorado Front Range for many years,
moving audiences with her beautifully clear, melodic voice and passionate performance. In 2007, she added 3
national tours to her credit and extended her experience to include the role of workshop leader and travelling lay
minister at churches and festivals around the country. It is not uncommon to find audience members struck silent
in a room filled with Jennifer’s voice or moved to tears during a show. Jennifer enjoys this connection with her
audience and is known for her unguarded sincerity. When not on the road, Jen serves on the music team for the
Unity Center of Longmont, is a board member and musician for Dances of Universal Peace and host of a popular
Songwriters in the Round series. She supports many progressive organizations with her music by hosting and
playing benefits for groups including the Colorado State Feminist Alliance, Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living
Association, and Rocky Mountain Peace & Justice Center.

Instrumentation

Jennifer Friedman - vocals, 6 & 12 string guitars

Discography

Soulful Warrior - 2008 GP Productions
You Are Creation - 2005 GP Productions

Official Website

http://www.jenniferfriedman.com

Links

• MySpace
• Jennifer's Website

Audio

• Change Comes
  Listen  
• Left Behind
  Listen  
• Choices
  Listen  
• Spirit, My Home
  Listen  
• Colorado
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Left Behind
• Choices
• Colorado
• Creation
• Change Comes

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• As far as I'm concerned, you're the Joan Baez of our movement!"
  

  "As far as I'm concerned, you're the Joan Baez of our movement!"- Peter Gabel, Tikkun Magazine

• It was the first time I'd seen our fellowship members give a presenter a standing ovation- well deserved! [+ Show ]
  

  After hearing just a few songs performed at one of our services last year, I knew Jennifer had a kna...After hearing just a few songs performed at one of our services last year, I knew Jennifer had a knack for capturing deep meaning in her lyrics. Afterward we talked; she mentioned she also had full programs, complete with blended sermon and song. So I invited her back with great delight. The service she'd prepared was well executed, beautiful to the ear, and filled with insight. It was the first time I'd seen our fellowship members give a presenter a standing ovation - well deserved! Thank you Jennifer, hope to see you again very soon.
  
  Mary Ocken, worship leader
  Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Durango, CO
  

• Jennifer Friedman presented one of our best received worship services. Her original peace songs are creative; her message to the point and eloquent; her singing voice is clear and compelling; her personality warm and down-to-earth. [+ Show ]
  

  Singer-songwriter Jennifer Friedman presented one of our best-received recent worship services at th...Singer-songwriter Jennifer Friedman presented one of our best-received recent worship services at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson. Her original peace songs are creative, her pulpit message is to-the-point and eloquent, her singing voice is clear and compelling, and her personality warm and down-to-earth. Our congregational members and guests spoke highly of the service she presented, and we hope to have her back for an encore appearance.
  
  Gilbert Moore
  Chair, Worship Committee, Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson
  

• Jennifer more than met our expectations for a wonderful Sunday service! [+ Show ]
  

  Jennifer Friedman more than met our expectations for a wonderful Sunday service. Her music speaks t...Jennifer Friedman more than met our expectations for a wonderful Sunday service. Her music speaks to the heart of Unitarian Universallism and she skillfully led us in singing as well. As a member of Prescott UU Fellowship program committee, I was more than pleased.
  
  
  

• "Listening to Jennifer Friedman’s You Are Creation might make you swear that somebody has secretly replaced her disc with a Joan Baez CD." [+ Show ]
  

  Listening to Jennifer Friedman’s You Are Creation might make you swear that somebody has secretly re...Listening to Jennifer Friedman’s You Are Creation might make you swear that somebody has secretly replaced her disc with a Joan Baez CD. This is especially true during “Play The Game,” where Friedman’s singing retains a distinctively Baez-ish vocal purity.
  
  Like Baez, Friedman infuses her mostly folk music with plenty of progressive social lyrical thinking. Whether she’s taking a shot at big business, as she does during “Play The Game,” or bringing attention to spousal abuse, like with “Necessary Evil,” Friedman consistently sings with purpose. Without a doubt, Friedman’s songs are filled to the brim with meaningful content.
  
  Folk is by far the best description of these recorded sounds, because Friedman plays both six-string and twelve-string acoustic guitar throughout. She is only sparsely assisted by backing vocals (Kristen Bolton), drums (Marshall Van Stone), and bass (Aaron Friedman). It’s quiet and thoughtful music, from first to last.

• Jennifer Friedman's Songwriters in the Round is back at Avo's [+ Show ]
  

  Improvisation is usually the forte of comedians. The good ones play off the audience with their quic...Improvisation is usually the forte of comedians. The good ones play off the audience with their quick wits and funny bits. Such spontaneity can also be found in music and not just at a jazz club. Folk musicians, believe it or not, also embrace the give and take with the audience and with each other. that kind of collaboration is what you'll find at Avogadro's Number when the Songwriters in the Round series is revived.
  
  Jennifer Friedman previously hosted the series beginning in the summer of 2005. But because of her own success, she took some time to tour the country promoting her debut album, You Are Creation. The series was put on hold for a couple years, but now Friedman is back after completing her successful Midwest winter tour.
  
  "Each artist is different, each audience is different and the night has a flow all its own," Friedman said. "It's ever-changing." Songwriters in the Round allows musicians an intimtae setting where they perform on a single stage simultaneously, exchanging songs and stories round-robin style. Unlike a traditional concert, the performers do not play a pre-rehearsed set. this provids the audience with a rare peek at an artist's inspiration and songwriting process as they share stories and thoughts throughout the night.
  
  "Sometimes there is actual collaboration and improvisation happening on stage if they feel comfortable with each others' songs, " Friedman said. "It's just a different kind of show and the audience generally gets a good value out of it."
  
  -Aaron Rognstad, Fort Collins Now 3/7/08

• Jennifer's sweet lilting vocals and harmonies drew me in and kept me listening to all the lyrical and melodius nuances... [+ Show ]
  

  “Perhaps it was the mellow summery feeling and bayou cruisin' rhythm of this really cool tune that...
  “Perhaps it was the mellow summery feeling and bayou cruisin' rhythm of this really cool tune that first caught my ear, or maybe it was the simple engaging instrumental intro that told me I was really going to like Prayin' - no pun intended. Then again, it might have been Jennifer's sweet lilting vocals and harmonies that drew me in and kept me listening to all the lyrical and melodious nuances that flow like a crystal clear virgin stream cascading down a mountainside from beginning to end of this excellent song. I had listened to it several times before I realized I was enjoying the music and Jennifer's great guitar work so much so that I had not been paying attention to the lyrics and the story. The time that Jennifer spent studying songwriting techniques with those accomplished national pop and folk artists has paid off handsomely and shines brilliantly here in these lyrics, clearly demonstrating what a truly gifted songwriter she is. The production and mixing here is so very well done too, creating that perfect balance between vocals and instruments and giving each the space they need to rise to their best and maximum potential ... nothing is lost and everything is gained ... a win-win producer/artist dream for sure. Great vocals, great lyrics, great music, great production, great song ... that pretty well sums up my feeling about Prayin'. I'm honored to have you on my station.” -Legendary Music Internet Radio Station
  

• Recommended!! [+ Show ]
  

  It takes more than just music to forge an independent music career in this day and age. Front Range ...It takes more than just music to forge an independent music career in this day and age. Front Range singer-songwriter Jennifer Friedman, however, is up to the challenge. Currently based in Longmont, Friedman has made a name for herself in the region by doing the hard work it takes to learn, polish and practice her craft. She has taken workshops with such acoustic luminaries as Vance Gilbert, Maggie Simpson and Catie Curtis, written plenty of original material and has played in select venues in Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins and other cities on a regular basis.
  The next step in Friedman’s budding career is her debut CD release, “You Are Creation.” An 11 track collection recorded by Russ Hopkins, “You Are Creation” reveals a mature purposefulness that takes on some heavy subjects such as relationships, physical abuse, war, peace and love. That Friedman’s expressive vocals are up front, underscoring the passion in the words, keeps it intensely personal while the songs themselves keep it accessible. It’s clear that Friedman believes in the power of music to transform and her album ultimately offers strength.

• I love REAL folk music! [+ Show ]
  

  I love REAL folk music! You have a great voice, and a wonderful way of telling a story. Nice job gir...I love REAL folk music! You have a great voice, and a wonderful way of telling a story. Nice job girl. :)
  
  

• I really love your music!
  

  "I really love your music, and especially the song we aired Love Will Heal The Pain"

Setlist

Jennifer is available for short sets and concerts from under an hour to full length 2 set performances of up to 3 hours. Her original music is witty, intelligent, and timeless, drawing comparisons to Dar Williams, Joan Baez, Holly Near, and Suzanne Vega. Cover material includes songs by John Prine, Fleetwood Mac, Holly Near, Phil Ochs, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, the Beatles, Shawn Colvin, and many others. Broadway tunes and jazz standards are also a favorite addition to the repertoire. Requested cover songs are welcome for any event or benefit.

Jennifer is also available for speaking and singing engagements where she presents on various topics of social and political importance using her music and message to provide a unique and dynamic program experience for any size group. Her program offerings include the following:

Musical Sermons and Presentations

Singing Our Peace: a Musical Contemplation of Living Peace in our Lives-
Jennifer’s inspiring 35 minute presentation includes discussion of what it means to be a seeker of peace; how this aspiration manifests in our daily lives through interaction with Self and others; and how to become the change we wish to see in the world. Presentation includes performance of three original songs and facilitation of one group song. For churches, Jennifer can also lead a song during the children’s message if requested.

Stand Up! Speak Out!-
Feminism is not limited to women! If we seek to end sexism and the gender-based violence that can result, we must each become feminists, supporting the “radical notion that all women are created equal.” This 30 minute presentation includes three original songs on the topic of gender based inequality and abuse and how it impacts our local communities and society as a whole. A group sing can be facilitated for special occasions ie. Take Back
the Night!, End Domestic Violence campaigns, etc.

We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For!-
Everywhere we look, we see evidence of human impact on the planet. Parking lots, highways jam-packed with cars, the glow of street lamps on every corner. At this time more than ever, we are called to stand up for our Mother Earth. This 30 minute presentation combines the elements of peace and justice with practical environmentalism. What can we do to make our world a more free and just society, while also leaving a legacy of conservation for our children? Three original songs are performed and facilitation of one group song.

Workshops

Healing through Song and Story-
A workshop designed to push through the blocks associated with guilt and grief utilizing various artistic traditions including, but not limited to writing, singing, drumming, and improvisational theatrical exercise. Jennifer facilitates open and honest examination and communication with Self and the group in a safe, exploratory atmosphere. This program is a terrific tool of empowerment for all ages, genders, and groups seeking inner openness or rehabilitation.

Soaring Spirit Song Circle and Dances of Universal Peace-
Jennifer facilitates a welcoming song and dance circle for people of all ages and levels of experience. Utilizing traditional spiritual songs and chants from a variety of traditions, and elements of Dances of Universal Peace practice, this Earth centered circle empowers beginners and more advanced singers to explore their voices and experience the inner joy and peace that comes from singing freely with a group. Jennifer uses guitar, drum, percussive toys and acapella singing to lead the group. A song sheet will be provided and no experience is necessary.

Basic Requirements

Calendar