Biography
In 2007 Durkin and Detroy wrote this collection of songs and debuted the project before a live audience on the vernal equinox March 21st. The next two years were spent refining and recording in the studio. With the help of guitarist/engineer Andy Abel and artist Darren Greene. The Equinox band CD has been two years in the making. As a single Mother of two and a music/dance educator Jen relied on the tremendous support of Matt Detroy and her family who helped bring this project forward. Slowly but surely the message and the music of a new beginning is getting out to the world full of hope and peace.
As a young student of music, Jen attended Berklee Music College and sang in their renowned Gospel Choir. After struggling to juggle classes in music composition and a full time job she moved to NYC to audition and connect with other musicians to create a career in music. As receptionist at world music club S.O.B.’s she was able to attend the shows of the legendary artists of her time. The years of study and practice brought Jen together with a group of like- minded musicians called Deep Banana Blackout. This high energy Funk rock band hit it off with the emerging jam band scene of the 90’s and toured Nationally opening for Maceo Parker, Fred Wesley, P-Funk, Gov’t Mule, John Scofield and James Brown. They co wrote and produced 2 CDs before she left in 2000 to join Bernie Worrell and the Woo Warriors. It was during this time that writing partnership with Ian Mc Hugh and the Bomb Squad became a creative outlet for Jen. During the next 5 years they co wrote and produced 2 CDs winning the American Music Award for best unsigned band and played before Metallica on the show. Deciding to remain unsigned Jen has continued to write and record herself and with friends projects. Most recently Jen had toured with Grateful Dead Drummers Bill Kreutzman and Mickey Hart, Bassists Mike Gorden (Phish) and George Porter (The Meters) and reunited with Deep Banana Blackout.
Instrumentation
Equinox
Jen Durkin - Vocals
Matthew DeTroy - Keys
Johnny Durkin - Percussion
Rich Zurkowski - Bass
Hans Broeking - Drums
Rob Somerville - Sax / Flute
Deep Banana Blackout
Jen Durkin Vocals
Fuzz Guitar, vocals
Johnny Durkin Percussion
Rob Somerville Sax, Vocals
Rob Volo Rhythm Guitar, Trombone, Vocals
Eric Kalb Drums
Benj Lefevre Bass
Cyrus Madan Keys, vocals
The Durkins
Jen Durkin Vocals
Johnny Durkin Drums
Jesse Gibbon Keys
Rob Somerville Sax, Flute Vocals
Darian Cunning Guitar, Vocals
Rich Zurkowski Bass, Vocals
The Bomb Squad
Jen Durkin Vocals
Ian McHugh Guitar
Brad Mason Trumpet
Mike Raskin Tenor Sax
Eric Bolivar Drums
Peter Stoltzman Keys
Mark Tragasser Alto
Discography
Jen Durkin
Equinox
Deep Banana Blackout
Live In The Thousand Islands
Rowdy Duty
The Bomb Squad
Sophistafunk
Bomb Squad ll
Links
| http://www.jendurkin.com |