JADEN CARLSON BAND

Colorado-based singer-songwriter Jaden Carlson has really solidified herself as homegrown talent over the last few years – she’s released her debut album, played many local and national shows (including Telluride Blues & Brews Festival) and shared the stage with with artists including Michael Franti & Spearhead, Trevor Hall and Melvin Seals. Jaden's new album Tell Me What You See is a mighty fine sophomore follow up to her debut and continues to showcase a young musician growing by leaps and bounds as a performer and more importantly, a songwriter. It’s something special when you can see a local Colorado musician grow before your eyes and Tell Me What You See is another fine step in Carlson’s progression as an artist." - Marquee Magazine

" Jaden Carlson's talent shines through on Tell Me What You See. Driven by her humming acoustic guitar, the band holds tight through folk-infused ballads sung with full heart & soul. The laidback mood of the album is set early on with the track “These Walls.” A lulling melody dances around Carlson’s lyrics, where she writes of being trapped in by society. She sings with a determination & originality that is beyond her years,& this drives the album through moods of jubilation, contemplation & also sadness. “Tomorrows” is an optimistic song reminiscent of Blind Melon in instrumentation & lyrics. Closing on a heavier note with “Funky Steele,” a rockin’ instrumental complete with alt-country/blues hooks; Carlson’s talent on guitar becomes the centerpiece. Carlson’s talent is young & growing,& her songwriting ability & guitar work make her stand out as a young force to be reckoned with." - Scene Magazine

"Jaden Carlson covers every base on her second release - writing and composing the music, playing guitar and sharing her vocals. Amazingly, her musical talents at composition and creating a rendition of her works is awesome and far surpasses the skills of anyone her age. In this regard, Carlson is probably a musical genius. However, at her age, her voice has yet to match the levels of her mental and playing abilities. The lyrics on this album border on metaphoric youthfulness. Whereas most songs blatantly address adoration and heartbreak, Carlson is much more subtle. When she sings of a rainstorm, is it really just a rainstorm, or something deeper? How can a girl of 10 fully grasp the machinations of adulthood? Much like the genius behind the Pixar movies, the listener may hear and impose their impressions on merely innocent words. Thankfully, this album is not a Kids Bop CD, but is the seed of a sapling that needs a little more sunshine to realize its full growth. " - Innocent Words & Records

"f I had to pick one smaller artist on your lineup not to miss, who would you recommend? This is so hard because I have such a big place in my heart for so many of these bands. I’ve been seeing Euforquestra for a long time now, and I really think if you like progressive, fun jam music, this is a band for you. Big big ups to Yamn, Mountain Standard Time, MTHDS, Whiskey Blanket and Octopus Nebula though. Check out Nine year old guitar phenom, Jaden Carlson. Literally, nine years old. Great stage presence. "
- Chris Griffy, Examiner.com Denver-Jam Bands (Jul 21, 2010) - Examiner.com

"Nine-year-old Lafayette singer-songwriter Jaden Carlson opened the show with her reggae-roots sound. The miniscule singer with the powerful voice and nimble fingers jammed strong renditions of the Black Crowes’ “She Talks to Angels” and the Flobots’ “Handlebars.” Carlson’s original “These Walls” revealed a true songwriting gift from the girl who was led to learn guitar only a few years ago after seeing Franti. "
- Jason Blevins, Reverb (Nov 29, 2010) -Denver Post - - Jason Blevins, Reverb (Nov 29, 2010)

"Nine-year-old Jaden Carlson has only been playing guitar for three years, but during that time her talent has skyrocketed her from beginning musician to touring performer.This third-grader, beyond having the job of being a kid, maintains a resume with more experience than some musicians twice her age. Jaden, a Boulder native, has performed everywhere from Desert Rocks Music Festival in Moab, to Telluride Blues and Brews Festival, to the House of Blues in San Diego. She has opened for a band that included members of AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses and Survivor, played on a stage once graced by B.B. King, and was lifted from the crowd to accompany Michael Franti on his song, “Nobody Right, Nobody Wrong” in front of an audience of 2,000 people." - Sky High Daily News, June 9 ,2010

"Not only is it amazing to see a seven year old navigate a fretboard like a sparrow hawk gliding in the wind, it is incredible to take note of the messages the indigo child has to say. "a gem of the new generation and it is what she chooses to sing that is mind blowing."
-Dan Rose, The Mountainear - The Mountainear

"It's not often that I am blown away by an 8-year-old kid. This was one of those occasions. While certainly her chops and her voice weren't those of a middle-aged studio musician, her audience rapport, stage presence, and between-song patter were something many of us here could aspire to.
I confess to not being familiar with most of her playlist. Sorry, I'm steeped in decades of heavy rock, and Michael Franti just isn't usually on my radar. But, she played them confidently, and they fit her style ( acoustic guitar, and stomp-box, provided by PaulE). And she did play a number of more familiar ( to me ) tunes. You haven't lived until you've watched an 8-year-old girl rock a packed room with her instrumental rendition of "Hey Joe".

She's NOT just a novelty act.

PaulE, you done good bringing her to our attention. Kevin, sorry I didn't catch your last name (you're Daddy Long Loin, right?),you rocked PaulE's wooden drums. And Jaden, Keep it up. when your chops catch up to your attitude and professionalism,(and it won't be long!) you'll be a musical force to be reckoned with."


- Rocksquawk.com

An 8-Year-Old Musician Among the Greats . . . .

In between sets, as I was buying a snack from one of the vendors in the park, I heard a really great acoustic guitar playing on stage, but it was followed by a voice that stopped me in my tracks. The singer wasn't piping out vocals on aged well-worn set of chords, but rather it was 8-year-old Jaden Carlson both playing and singing.

Yes, Jaden Carlson knocked everyone's socks off with her awesome performance. I was able to meet Jaden backstage when Plum TV's Ramona Bruland interviewed her. It will be interesting to follow Jaden's career and I think this little girl is really going places!

It is great to be in a place like Telluride that gives opportunities to both young and new musicians, while at the same time having world renowned musicians return for repeat performances. - Telluride Insider

Jaden

Midnight Sky

Independent

3 out of 5 stars

If you live in Colorado and have not yet heard of Jaden I am sure you will. This girl from Lafayette, CO just released her debut CD, Midnight Sky. What is even more startling is that she sings, plays guitar and percussion, and wrote nine of the album’s 11 tracks; lyrics and all.

Jaden first got the urge to play guitar at age 5 while at a Michael Franti & Spearhead concert. A year later she convinced her parents to have her start lessons and she began training with classical Suzuki.

Before long she was figuring out and learning her favorite rock tunes, including songs by Jimi Hendrix, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd and the Grateful Dead. Soon thereafter she was writing her own material and sitting in with national acts such as Michael Franti & Spearhead and Keaton Simmons. News of her talent was obviously spreading quickly.
Midnight Sky is Jaden’s debut album and is an 11-track effort featuring simple instrumentation; Jaden on acoustic guitar, vocal and simple percussion.

The album’s final tracks were recorded and produced by Michael Versace, Michael Franti & Spearhead’s front of house engineer, in a one-day session in San Francisco.

In listening to this album’s songs, one wouldn’t think an 8-year-old wrote them. Jaden’s songwriting shows maturity beyond her age. Some of her compositions that stand out are “Cool Rain,” “Midnight Sky,” which features harmonic tapping technique on the guitar, and the instrumental “Rockin’ Blues,” which was written as a Christmas present for Versace.

It is hard to be critical of an 8-year-old and her age makes it easy to look past “Telluride Raindrops,” sounding eerily similar to Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.” I mean, how many 8-year-olds can you name that know the chord structure to “No Woman, No Cry.”

The two cover songs on the album were both written by Michael Franti, “Hey World” and “Nobody Right, Nobody Wrong.” Both are wonderfully performed and a great tribute to the man who inspired her from the beginning.

If anything, Midnight Sky is an album that should show people anything is possible if you harness your talent and your abilities. I can tell you Midnight Sky has inspired me. - The Marquee Magazine