jill whitmore

My personal influences include Bobby McFerrin, Beth Nielson Chapman, Loreena McKinnett, Laura Nyro, Ella Fitzgerald, and Sting, to name a few.
I think one of the things that sets me apart from other artists is my willingness to be myself on stage, and let my heart and soul be seen, heard, felt. When I'm on stage, regardless of the venue, that's all there is! I give my audience 1000%, because playing for people is what I love to do, and that is what my listeners deserve: my very best.
I was singing before I was talking, so the story goes. Born into a musical family, my mother would go play clubs at night, and the house was always filled with music. As an infant, mom was holding me one day, singing, and i mimiked her exactly (before I knew how to talk), so music runs deep in my veins. My sister, mother and I spent countless hours harmonizing to various tunes, and we performed as a trio whenever the opportunity presented itself. I was playing "concert level" concertos at age 7, and started playing the piano by ear around age 9 or 10. Singing and playing has always been the greatest love of my life.
Writing has also been something that has come naturally to me...having written my first songs in my teens. Over the past 10 years, I have been dedicated refining and re-refining my songwriting skills and the curve just continues. I cannot think of a more wonderful combination than putting words to music. It is a tremendous high, and one of the truest forms of expression available to me.
My new album, "metamorphosis", is full of fabulous musicians doing their magic; Kenny Edwards on acoustic guitar, Nina Gerber on acoustic and electric guitar, Vince Chafin on bass and percussion, Rob Hodges on cello, Bill Flores on pedal steel. It is a fabulous project and so much fun to create. My engineer was Robinson Eikenberry in Santa Barbara, CA., absolutely brilliant.
Vince Chafin is a fantastic musician, whom I am delighted to have play with me. He is a gifted bassist, guitarist, percussionist, and adds gorgeous dynamics to the sound and energy of playing live. He was playing electric fretless bass in jazz bands back in his 20's as a kid in Bakersfield, CA, and brings a world of experience and exposure as a musician to every gig.

I am also an abstract painter, and a glass artist, though music is my first love, and will always continue to be a great source of joy and inspiration to me, and to the folks who experience my music.
Thank you!
~Jill Whitmore