Jasmine Greene

By MARGARET BIKMAN — THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Bellingham-born Jasmine Green plays with her band at 9 p.m. New Year's Eve at Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro, 1107 Railroad Ave.

Luke Warm and the Moderates open the gig, which is for folks 21 and older. Jasmine and her husband, Scott Greene, often perform together.

Question: When did you realize that you enjoyed and wanted to pursue singing?

Answer: Three years ago a co-worker misunderstood me talking about how my sister, Shasta Bree Simmons, was in a country band and he wrongly conveyed that information to another country band, which invited me to sing. Country isn't my favorite music and I'd barely used my voice before. I nearly passing out at the first rehearsal, I was terrified. After several scary learning experiences, I put a band together on my own.

Q: Who are some of your inspirations?

A: For the last two years, (my husband) Scott Greene and Walt Burkett have been mainstays through almost all of our performances. Many genres and a long list of musicians inspire me, yet I get heaps of inspiration from my band, friends and fans.

Way back, I'd loved many instruments, like violin, piano and guitar, and singing was never even a thought, because I thought I was hard to listen to. Pure enjoyment from singing didn't come until we had the old Chuckanut Ridge Wine Bar packed like a sardine can. The place was so crammed with dancers that all the windows steamed up. Dancing fuels me and my voice relaxes when the room moves.

Q. Why do you like to perform?

A. It wasn't till playing Boundary Bay Brewery's outstanding New Year's Eve party last year that I felt like continuing. At the same time, being satisfied with performing on the biggest night to the most incredible crowd, I still craved more. Life and music keeps getting better and I'm enjoying every moment of it.

This coming New Year's Eve at Boundary Bay Brewery we offer what I think is my dream team band. With two of the best guitar players in Bellingham, Scott Greene and Adrian Clarke, the multitalented Walt Burkett adding upright bass dynamics, and the coveted drummer/rocker Phil Carter, we're ready to raise the bar at this year's traditional Boundary Bay Brewery celebration.

This year we even have the stellar dance band Luke Warm and the Moderates to get the night going for us.

Q: How would you describe the music you play?

A: Transitioning my skills from an imitative and emulative state of music expression, I have moved toward creating original music and reworking cool classics. With those changes, my band has refocused what kind of sounds we play.

Not that you can really pin us to a genre, but we're best at are rockabilly, rock and soul. During our first shows it was impossible for me to stray vocally (on purpose), and it's now liberating to finally be confident in going for something new. Even if it comes out wrong, it's done with stride.

Q. What's been one of your most memorable gigs?

A. Most memorable was The Mt. Baker Rhythm & Blues Festival last summer. I found out what really good sound was and shared the stage with some amazing artists. It was a confidence boost from my shell.

Performing can be like therapy. To exhibit your art, which takes sweet time to create, completes and perpetuates the process with meaning. The more I show, the easier it is to learn and create more.

Q. What are your hopes for 2013 and beyond?

A. I look forward to chipping away at more music, expanding show locations north and south, to sustain professionally as a musician. My original songs are drawn from somewhere strange I can't explain, but I'll be looking for more of that with a whole bunch of help from my band, friends and fans.

Reach MARGARET BIKMAN at margaret.bikman@bellinghamherald.com or 715-2273.

Read more here: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2012/12/27/2795350/jasmine-green-to-sing-and-bring.html#storylink=cpy - Bellingham Herald