Jennifer Clarke

Artist Information

Biography

THE VOICE
The words ‘mesmerizing’ and ‘amazing’ are just some of comments you hear from critics and audience alike when this Prairie Celtic folk singer takes the stage. Jennifer Clarke is one of the most engaging acts on the Celtic scene, whether performing solo or with her band, ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’. She’s especially known for her ability to enchant with only a single instrument: her unforgettable voice.

A second-generation Scottish-Canadian, Jennifer’s connection to her heritage has given her an intuitive sense for traditional Celtic music. To this she adds the flavours of more modern folk instrumentation and contemporary world beat rhythms, relying on her unerring sense of what’s needed to bring out the story behind the song. The end result is a sound, rich in texture and variety.

IN CONCERT
Jennifer’s flexible performance style makes her a natural for everything from intimate house concert or coffeehouse to the main stages of Celtic and folk festivals. She has shared stages with the likes of Shooglenifty, Buddy McMaster, Vance Gilbert and Scottish Storytellers Margaret Tollick and Judy Paterson. Her soulful laments, whimsical humour, relaxed stage presence and gift for storytelling combine to make Jennifer's concerts ‘must see’ events.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
An Lanntair Arts Centre, Stornoway Scotland 2004 ~ Dalguise Folk Club, Scotland 2004 ~ Live CBC House Concert, Winnipeg 2004 ~ The Back Room, Grand Bend Kansas 2005 ~ Jericho Folk Club, Vancouver 2004 ~ Pondside House Concert, Victoria 2004 ~ Lyric Theatre, Winnipeg 2003 & 2004 ~ Celtic Christmas, Winnipeg 2002 ~ Aberdour Festival, Scotland 2002 ~ Elkton (Oregon) Butterfly Pavilion 2002 ~ Kipawo Arts Centre, Wolfville NS 2002 ~ McPherson (Kansas) Scottish Festival 2001 ~ The Winnipeg Folk Festival, 1999 & 2000 ~ West End Cultural Centre Winnipeg, 1997-2003

RECORDINGS
The spring of 2005 saw the release of Jennifer’s third full length album, "Jennifer Clarke ~ Prairie Celt". Like her 2001 release, "The Great Silkie – Tales of the Celts", the new recording features great ‘story songs’ with arrangements that vary from a cappella to full band and world rhythms, all designed to enhance the story.

WORKSHOPS
In addition to performing the Celtic repertoire, Jennifer delivers workshops that give a hands-on taste of the history, language, music and dance of the Celtic people. Her dynamic and interactive facilitation style has engaged and entertained participants at Celtic festivals and in schools and colleges, in both Canada and the U.S.

MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
CBC Manitoba will be recording Jennifer live in concert at a CD release House Concert in Winnipeg in November 2004. Jennifer has been featured several times by CBC Manitoba including two full length interviews which aired on ‘Arts Encounters’, ‘Culture Shock’ and ‘The Weekend Morning Show’.

Each of her recordings have received airplay on local, regional and national radio, in Scotland on Isles FM and the BBC and in the U.S. Her previous recording, ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ was recorded live by the CBC in 1998.

THE EXPERIENCE
Captivating her listeners, drawing them into the stories she sings, giving them the feeling that they’re sharing the warmth of the moment by her fireside: these are Jennifer’s strengths. Young or old, it’s impossible to resist as she spins tales of the human spirit.

Instrumentation

Jennifer - Lead vocals, bodhran, guitar
Richard Moody - viola, fiddle
James Hickerson - guitar, harmony
Rodrigo Munoz - world percussion, bass, charango
Sandy Thacker - shuttle pipes

Discography

Jennifer released her third full length album in the May 2005. Produced by former Winnipeg Folk Festival director and CBC producer Pierre Guérin, the new recording features and eclectic range of arrangements, created to enhance the story behind the song.

Once again Jennifer has gathered an impressive group of musicians together for her recording. Richard Moody (viola, fiddle), James Hickerson & Lindsey Bart (guitar), Rodrigo Munoz (percussion, bass), Mark Reeves (harmonica) and Sandy Thacker (shuttle pipes), along with Kate Ferris on backing vocals, have added both their talent and endless creativity to produce an album full of varied musical colours and textures.

From passionate a cappella to full out groove with charango & harmonica, this album has something for everyone.

Jennifer’s previous recording, “The Great Silkie ~ Tales of the Celts”, was released in October 2001. It features an a cappella collection of some of the finest Celtic story songs with additional flavour and colour added by some extraordinary musicians.

A CD single titled, “A Song of Lewis” was released in June 2000 and has received much acclaim in Scotland for its true and beautiful description of the Isle of Lewis. Written by Jennifer’s mother, Jean Murray Clarke whose parents were Lewis people, it describes the kinship and landscape unique to the island and it’s people.

“Wild Mountain Thyme” was recorded live by CBC Manitoba at the West End Cultural Centre in Winnipeg and released in the summer of 1998. It’s a blend of traditional Scottish, English, Irish and Canadian Celtic folk music. One review of the album called it “consistently and beautifully done”.

Audio

• Bonny Labouring Boy
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• My Donald
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• Rigs O' Rye
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Lyrics

• Bonny Labouring Boy
• My Donald
• Rigs 0' Rye

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Sing Out! Magazine - CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Winnipeg's Jennifer Clarke is possessed of a gorgeous voice and a great knack for setting a song, w..."Winnipeg's Jennifer Clarke is possessed of a gorgeous voice and a great knack for setting a song, whether unaccompanied or layered with other instruments."

• Winnipeg Free Press - CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Veteran Celtic vocalist Clarke will please the purists with this set of entirely traditional number..."Veteran Celtic vocalist Clarke will please the purists with this set of entirely traditional numbers, tastefully arranged with just the sparest accompaniment by an all-star local cast. Ex-Folk Fest boss Pierre Guérin produces. ***1/2"

• Stylus Magazine - CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "'Prairie Celt', the third offering from local Celtic singer Jennifer Clarke, is a well-researched s..."'Prairie Celt', the third offering from local Celtic singer Jennifer Clarke, is a well-researched selection of traditional Celtic songs. Clarke has a knack for digging up great stories from the past and presenting them for today's ears. She also attracts the best artists to her projects, like Mark Reeves, Rodrigo Munoz and Richard Moody, and producer Pierre Guérin who has an especially keen ear for world music. All in all, 'Prairie Celt' is another top notch collection of stories from Jennifer Clarke and a real treat for Celtic fans who are seeking more than drinking and dancing songs."

• BBC Radio Scotland - CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "I wish you well with the new CD. I was delighted to play tracks of the last CD on my programme for ..."I wish you well with the new CD. I was delighted to play tracks of the last CD on my programme for Radio Scotland. Keep in touch! Aa the best, Robbie"

• Rambles Reviews - CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  "A lot of singers would shy away from so many unadorned vocals, but Jennifer doesn’t’ mind the expos..."A lot of singers would shy away from so many unadorned vocals, but Jennifer doesn’t’ mind the exposure – in fact, she excels at it. Instruments are used purely as accents for her exceptional voice; fortunately her guest artists… know when to hold back and let her soar."

• Winnipeg Folk Festival - Performance Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Jennifer and Wild Mountain Thyme made quite an impression at their appearance at the Winnipeg Folk ..."Jennifer and Wild Mountain Thyme made quite an impression at their appearance at the Winnipeg Folk Festival. She has a wonderful voice, great stage presence and ably backed by a tight band with interesting arrangements. In a word: Impressive!"

• Vance Gilbert - Winnipeg Folk Festival Performance Review
  

  "Amazing!"

• Eastern Manitoba Concert Association - Performance Review [+ Show ]
  

  "We were all pretty buzzed with your performance and the success of the evening last night. We sure ..."We were all pretty buzzed with your performance and the success of the evening last night. We sure appreciate what you brought to the table for our community and our series, and will be sure to recommend you to anyone who asks."

• Stylus Magazine, Performance Review [+ Show ]
  

  "But the show's apex had to be when Jennifer Clarke and Scott Senior, percussionist extraordinaire f..."But the show's apex had to be when Jennifer Clarke and Scott Senior, percussionist extraordinaire from The Duhks, brought the house down with "Island Spinning Song/Band O' Shearers." They played possessed, like it was their final song ever. It was the most electrifying Celtic performance I have seen since Shooglenifty's first Folk Fest appearance."

• Bookstore Cafe - Performance Review [+ Show ]
  

  "Jennifer's personality shines through. Her spellbinding voice accentuates her traditional Celtic ma..."Jennifer's personality shines through. Her spellbinding voice accentuates her traditional Celtic material much to the delight of her audience. Do watch for her."

Setlist

A typical concert is made up of 2 - 45 minute sets. Repertoire is made up of songs from Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England and the Isle of Mann. Repertoire for a concert would be drawn from a list of over 140 songs.

A current set looks something like this:
SET ONE
Doon the Moor
Rigs’s O’ Rye
My Donald
Farewell to Tarwathie
Johnny & Molly
Bonny Labouring Boy
Song of the Seals
Hugh the Graeme
Ned of the Hill
You and I in the One Bed Lie

SET TWO
Blackleg Miner
Banks of Red Roses
Two Sisters
The Great Silkie
Wraggle Taggle Gypsies
Kiss the Children For Me Mary
Haughs of Cromdale
Manx Lullaby
Wild Mountain Thyme
Island Spinning Song/Band O’ Shearers

Basic Requirements

Calendar