Jennifer Porter
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Jennifer Porter

Buxton, ME | Established. Jan 01, 2012

Buxton, ME
Established on Jan, 2012
Band Blues Jazz

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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Press


"Cadence Magazine"

CADENCE MAGAZINE
Robert D. Rusch

There is nothing innovative about JENNIFER PORTER’s EASY LIVING [Cougar Moon Music 004] but it is fresh. Ms. Porter has chosen her repertoire well [Easy Living/The Very Thought of You/Nice Work if You Can Get it/Crazy He Calls Me/But Not For Me/The Best Things in Life are Free/Gone With the Wind/Yesterdays/I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm/I Cover the Waterfront/Travlin’ Light/You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To/Where or When] as it complements her nice, somewhat smokey and distant, voice. And while she sings many of the songs associated with Billie Holiday there is no attempt to emulate her, she seems her own person. Her back-up [Sonny Barbato-p/Jim Lyden-b/Les Harris-dms/Matt Langley-sax/Jason Anick-vln/Vinny Raniolo-gtr] frequently steps out for solos that compliment the 1940s mood of the music. If you’re in the mood to be wooed it is a good bet this will do it.

Other JENNIFER PORTER recordings on Cougar Moon Music are HYACINTH BOY BLUE [77131], a collection of originals [circa 1997] in a mellow folkish pop vein backed by an acoustic quintet. Songs with impressionistic prose of wanting, introspection and love; touches of Joni Mitchell and Laurie Anderson.
A 2012 recording finds her again as a jazz singer on THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT [Cougar Moon Music 003]. Again the repertoire is standards [The Way You Look Tonight/There’s a Small Hotel/Sophisticated Lady/I’ll Get By/A Foggy Day/Don’t Explain/No Greater Love/Ain’t Misbehavin’/ I’m Beginning to See the Light/Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man/Rollin’ in My Sweet Baby’s Arms] many of them beautifully handled in fresh interpretation. As with Easy Living, Porter delivers this material with an effortless suspended sincerity. Porter backs herself on piano and is joined by a small and tasteful combo which includes, among others, saxman Matt Langley (who has been a regular with Charlie Kohlhase) Trent Austin[tpt] and Kevin Barry [gtr].

Jennifer Porter also appears, as singer and pianist, on 40 WEST [Cougar Moon 79344735112] the original motion picture soundtrack recording for which she both composed and performed the music. The offering is made up mostly of soul-full, blues-tinged, new age-y piano deliberations. This obviously is a multi-talented woman with a wide range of musical ability and deserves to be more on the radar. But as concerns this column it is her two jazz vocal recordings [CM 003 & 004]which deserve one’s attention as there is magnificence there. - Robert D. Rusch


"Various Sources"

MUSIC REVIEWS
Various Sources

“It is obvious that Jennifer has a beautiful voice, a real feeling for vintage lyrics and the ability to swing at every tempo… Audiences love her simple and effective delivery, her phrasing, and the beauty of her voice.” -Scott Yanow, author of ten books including The Jazz Singers

"Jennifer Porter’s strong and silky voice and picturesque lyrics create a sense of serenity…so light some candles, and settle down into relaxation…” -Sheri Dyer, Florida Newspapers

“Blessed with a beautiful voice and an infectious musical spirit... Jennifer simply swings, does not waste a note, and every sound she creates is lovely... (She) always uplifts the classic material she sings, making it sound both timeless and new.” –Scott Yannow author of The Jazz Singers

“Jennifer is wonderful!” –Mark Landesman, WWOZ, New Orleans, LA

"The singing, the musicianship, and song selections are outstanding!" - Bob Collins, WRHU, Hempstead, NY

"Wow! VERY NICE!" - Bob Bittner, WJIB, Boston, MA

"This woman is a wonderful Jazz vocalist. I thoroughly enjoyed her singing from a number of levels." - Gary Alderman, WORT, Madison, WI

“Jennifer Porter is an incredibly talented woman. We are lucky to have someone of her caliber living right here in our own state where we can listen to her at any time.” –Chris Darling, WMPG, Portland, ME

“Jennifer Porter is a show-stopper!” -Maine Sunday Telegram
"Wow, what a voice! Every time she approached the microphone to sing, a hush fell over the audience. No one wanted to miss a note.” -Casco Bay Weekly

“Jennifer Porter sings with beauty and grace.” -Journal Tribune

“A fantastic, beautiful voice..." -York County Star -


Discography

Hyacinth Boy Blue - 1999
40 WEST Original Soundtrack - 2012
The Way You Look Tonight - 2013
Easy Living - 2014
MR. BARRINGTON Original Soundtrack - 2015
Moonglow (EP) - 2015
These Years - 2018

Photos

Bio

Jennifer Porter Releases New Album "These Years"
Multi-talented Independent Music Award-nominee shines bright with new music. 

(Los Angeles, CA — October 5th, 2018) Independent Music Award-nominee Jennifer Porter will release her new album "These Years” on December 7th. 

After years working just under the radar in the music industry, Jennifer’s beautiful voice and evocative songs caught the attention of 12-time Grammy-winning producer, Jay Newland. "These Years" is the product of their collaboration, and consists of five original songs by Jennifer and five covers of songs by The Rolling Stones, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and Bobby Sharp. The music features Jennifer’s unique, sultry voice backed by a stellar band.  The album also showcases guest appearances by Grammy nominee C.J. Chenier on accordion and Country Music Hall-of-Famer, Charlie McCoy on harmonica and vibes.

Jennifer worked with longtime friends and Grammy-winners, Lawrence Manchester, and Adam Ayan on the mixing and mastering of the album. Manchester currently works as a producer and lead music mixer on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. To date, Ayan has mastered 42 Grammy Award-winning recordings.

Jennifer’s previous album "Easy Living", with Manchester, was nominated for a 2015 Independent Music Award in the Jazz With Vocals category, and received airplay throughout the country, including over a year on KJAZZ in Los Angeles, WWOZ in New Orleans and Public Radio International’s "Jazz After Hours."  "These Years" is Jennifer's seventh album to date.

"These Years" is heavily influenced by Soul, Blues, and Roots music and will be released under Porter’s Maine-based label, Cougar Moon Music. This new album is a departure from her previous Jazz and film score recordings, yet retains Jennifer’s rich, lovely sound.

About Jennifer Porter

A member of the prestigious music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda, which recognizes excellence in both musical performance and academics, Jennifer Porter is a talented vocalist whose repertoire spans from Jazz and Blues to Country and Opera. She has been known to perform each of those styles in a single concert. Jennifer has sung with Classical and Jazz orchestras, including the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra and smaller combos, including her own quintet. She is also an accomplished Blues pianist and has appeared with C.J. Chenier, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha-Chas, and Buckwheat Zydeco’s band, Ils Sont Partis.