Jess klein
Over a career that spans more than a decade and a half and has won her a devoted worldwide fan base, Jess Klein—who possesses what Mojo magazine calls “one of those voices you want to crawl up close to the speakers to listen to” has pursued a remarkable creative evolution that’s seen her dig ever deeper for resonant emotional insights, while continuing to refine her eloquently melodic, effortlessly accessible songcraft. Jon Pareles of The New York Times calls her “a songwriter with a voice of unblinking tenacity…who finds parables in the everyday and also finds humanity behind the archetypal.”
The Rochester, NY native who now calls Hillsborough, NC her home began writing songs as a college student in Kingston, Jamaica, and is known for staking out brave lyrical and musical territory with such albums as Wishes Well Disguised (1998), Draw Them Near (2000), Strawberry Lover (2005), City Garden (2006), Bound to Love (2009), Behind A Veil (2012) and Learning Faith (2014) which Folk Radio UK calls “Unquestionably the finest album of her impressive career.” Before moving to North Carolina, Jess spent eight years soaking up the live music culture of Austin, TX. Bootleg (2015) Jess’s live, full band album captures the dynamism of Jess onstage, backed by some of Austin’s top players. Jess was named a 2015 Finalist in the highly regarded Kerrville New Folk Competition.
Jess's 2015 Live Album featuring some of Austin's top players!
This album captures the Austin album launch party for Jess's studio album Learning Faith and features all the tracks from LF plus a few fan faves from previous albums. Recorded at the now defunct Strange Brew, Bootleg captures Jess's passionate live performance energy backed by a dynamic group of musicians!
Many of you know that my dad passed away in 2011 from ALS. We hadn't always had the best relationship; to be blunt, my dad was often pretty self-centered. We could sometimes have good conversations but I would see him shrink away in fear when, as a child I would come to him upset or in tears.
This year I heard my calling. My voice is strong - not just my throat muscles or my lung power,
but the words they are forming. I am powerful. I have gone from avoiding the news to being able (usually) to hear it as a painful reminder shouted through a bullhorn. It screams, "this world needs love and healing!". Guess what I'm good at? Love. I'm good at giving love.
He teases me
How bad I'd be
At traditional wife-life
He doesn't know
That freedom still feels
Like I'm getting away with something
Chicken Soup
I wrote this piece for my grandmother after finding out that the Jewish cemetery where she and my grandfather are buried had been vandalized.
My grandmother made chicken soup
Stuffed cabbage
Chicken salad
The smell of onions rose from her kitchen
A lifetime of onions chopped by one woman...