Upon entering the room, Jen's powerhouse vocals and rhythmic piano playing immediately grab you. Her style is expansive and universal, playing everything from AC & folk to pop & rock tunes. Jen is a singer/songwriter/performer playing her own brand of piano-driven rock and belting out vocals, sometimes as a one-woman show, other times with a full backing band. Jen will make you want to laugh and cry, sing and dance, and let every emotion come powerfully forward, just as she does every time she performs.
Jen deftly plays her own original rock creations, as well as covers of some of her favorite artists, such as Stevie Nicks, Janis Joplin, Alanis Morrisette, Fiona Apple, Sheryl Crow, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, Paul Simon and Elton John, as well as harder rockin material from Tracy Bonham, No Doubt, Led Zepplin, Queen and more. Jen is a fresh, powerful female artist, giving her heart and soul to her audiences time and time again. Currently, Jen can be seen performing several times per week at venues in and around Chicago, with performances throughout the Midwest, both solo and with The Most Fabulous Band.
There's no doubt about it; Jen Porter was made to entertain musically. With straightforward lyrics that relate universally and music that flows from one song to the next, despite several different styles exhibited, Jen has the ability to captivate any audience. The lyrics speak of life, love, and deep relationships that affect us all. The music is melodic and heartfelt. Friends say she's "Ahead of her time" and "Stronger vocally than anyone else I've heard". Critics say her voice is “soulfully raucous” and that she is “without a doubt an artist to keep your eye on". She is compared to Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, and Janis Joplin in the same breath. With a voice that reaches out and grabs you and a musical style that's captivating and melodic, you won't soon forget this performer.
Jen was born and raised in Chicago and had music in her life from the very beginning. She was singing before she could walk and began playing piano at the age of 5. Jen spent the next 14 years being classically-trained. During her time in college, she learned guitar since she had no piano at that time. Soon after obtaining her Bachelor’s Degree in 1996 from the University of Michigan, Jen quickly realized that she wanted more than an education: She wanted to perform. She worked with several bands, singing lead and harmonies, playing piano and guitar in many venues around southeastern Michigan for close to five years. She also enjoyed a successful solo residency for more than a year. As Jen began writing more of her own original work, her quest to share music has brought her home, to Chicago. Jen currently plays two to three times per week in the city and is continually booking more performances outside of Chicago. She has also assembled a group of backing musicians that she calls “The Most Fabulous Band (MFB)” for full band performances of her work and well-chosen covers. The combination of Jen’s powerful voice and formidable backing band is attracting more attention than ever before. She has played many high-profile venues in the city including The Cubby Bear, House of Blues hotel & Hard Rock Café to name only a few. By invitation, Jen has been a part of several singer showcases, including the Chicago Singer Spotlight, the Local Vocal Brew and Chick Singer Night-Chicago. Jen also had the distinct honor of sharing a stage with Odetta, Michelle Shocked, Harolyn Blackwell, The Chantels and more at the Girl Scouts 90th Anniversary Sing-Along on the mall in Washington DC in June 2002. Jen and her new friends performed for and sang along with over 120,000 audience members in the Nation’s Capital.
Jen also sings a song that’s rather challenging and quite moving: The National Anthem. She sings it a cappella and has commanded the attention of over forty thousand spectators in attendance at major league sporting events held at The Palace of Auburn Hills (Detroit, MI), Wrigley Field & Soldier Field (Chicago, IL), and at the request of the City of Orland Park, IL for a commemorative 9/11 Ceremony in 2002. Imparting a strong sense of patriotism and triggering emotion in so many fans, Jen soulfully performs the Anthem to perfection, bringing the audience to their feet every time.
Her style is expansive and universal though best described as rock/folk rock/adult contemporary genres. You can't help but love her powerhouse voice and smooth piano. Jen plays everything from Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin & Alanis Morrisette to Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin & Queen, as well as her own piano-driven original rock creations. Don’t miss this performance force as she continues to break convention and wow audiences everywhere.
CDM Profile URL: chicagodigital.stores.yahoo.net/jenporter.html
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