Jen Chapin - About the Band

Jen Chapin & Rosetta Trio: Liberty Ellman, Jen, Stephan Crump and Jamie Fox

Chances are, if you have heard us on tour, it has been as a trio with [A:http://www.stephancrump.com|Stephan Crump] on acoustic bass and [A:http://www.jamiefoxguitar.com|Jamie Fox] on electric guitar. This is my core group, where my music is most flexible, alive, intimate and comfortable. I love playing and traveling with these guys -- they make it so easy, even when it's hard!

I talk a little about my connection with Stephan, whose groove, musicianship and passion are a daily inspiration, on the "family" page here, and you can hear and learn more about his own music at www.stephancrump.com. Jamie has been contributing his elegant, tasteful ideas (not to say that he doesn't get dirty when necessary) to my tunes since 2000, and I am so grateful for the generosity with which he has pitched in! He has a cool site up as well, at www.jamiefoxguitar.com.

In 2006, Stephan released a gorgeous album of his own compositions called Rosetta. The recording highlighted the amazing interaction between Stephan, Jamie, and the reknowned [A:http://www.libertyellman.com|Liberty Ellman] on acoustic guitar, and the Rosetta Trio was born. On my newest CD/DVD Light of Mine, I enlisted the Rosetta Trio magic, and we will all be doing a number of dates together in NYC, the West Coast, and the UK this year as that unit to support the album. These guys are all very important to me personally as well as musically, and we expect to have a lot of fun on tour.

For my last two albums, Ready (2006) and Linger (2004), this group was filled out with the great talents of my friends [A: http://www.myspace.com/peterrende|Peter Rende] (piano, pump organ, wurli, rhodes, etc.) and Dan Rieser (drums and percussion). Both are players of great integrity, with whom I am so happy to play and spend time with. You should check out Pete's work with three jazz singers/writers I greatly respect: www.rebeccamartin.com, www.akikopavolka.com, and www.chiarachivello.com. Pete also makes a mean bottle of cabernet, and is a talented recording engineer who helped us lay down the tracks on Light of Mine. You've heard Dan play on albums from Norah Jones to Amos Lee to the www.bloomdaddies.com. He is everywhere, and the world of music is the richer for it.

We got to know the unique playing and personality of Dave Burnett over three and a half weeks in a van across the western states in the summer of 2004. He is a great drummer and great guy, and it's been a pleasure to join up with him again in special musical occasions both with my group and with the [A:http://www.dang-itbobbies.com|Dang-It Bobbies] (with whom I sing background vocals).

Also joining us on select shows and in the studio is the super swanky Tony Mason on drums. He has long been one of the drummers whose groove I most enjoy, and I'm so happy to be able to play with him so much this year. He's also a very busy and in-demand player, who has played with a great diversity of excellent bands. Check out what he is up to at www.myspace.com/masonio.

Rod Sherwood is great talent and a wonderful friend who has helped produce my last three releases Ready, Linger, and Open Wide. He knows how to do single-handedly, beautifully make a record -- writing, singing, playing, recording, mixing -- and he also knows how to gracefully stay to the side of a project and facilitate creativity with an idea here, a supportive nod there, a tie-breaking opinion here. He always keeps it mellow, fun, and original. We couldn't do it without him. See what other good stuff Rod has been up to at www.rodsherwood.com.

Some other musicians who I have been honored to play with over the years, and whom are making great music today: