Jennifer Haase: Links

CD Baby: Fab indie music of all genres. This link takes you directly to my first cd, Listening Chair, but be sure to check out the other unforgettable artists who sell their music out of the proverbial trunk of CD Baby's supportive car. Huge thanks to owner Derek Sivers, and the CD Baby crew, for all that you do.
Patty Ocfemia: My friend, Patty....an amazingly poignant, clever, intelligent and soulful songwriter with unique insight into everyday people, places and things. She's got a fabulous first disc coming soon. Check her website for gigs as you may see me singing back-up here and there for this talented songstress we friends of hers often call The Maverick. Buy her disc, when ready, and you'll understand why. Nobody does it like Patty Ocfemia and that is a heartfelt compliment from my big, proud mouth to your appreciative listening ears.
Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers: My first impressions of Young Rellogg, when I met him at Camp Cash back in '97, were of a sensitive, deep-thinkin', Kenny Loggin's-lookin' folk-rocker with pipes that could make the girls swoon. Now, about 8 years later, he's since chopped his locks and earned his chops as one of the most successful songwriters and recording artists in my lil circle of friends. Stephen has a slew of fabulous albums, but his latest is his Foundation Records label debut with his bandmates, The Sixers, and I've already played it to death. Catch these boys live 'cause they throughly enjoy themselves, and each other, on stage. And if you wanna hear the tune that Stephen and i wrote together back in '97 up at the Omega Instutute in Rhinebeck NY, then buy a copy of his disc called "South of Stephen" too.
Robert Burke Warren: Talk about a versatile, quadruple threat, southern soulful songster with a "It wasn't me, I swear" humble bad-boy kinda grin....Robert Burke Warren is one of the best things to rise up from Georgia in my lifetime and beyond. And don't let that bad-boy grin fool ya, 'cause there's actually nothing bad about him...his musical talent, his smart-n-sentimental genious with storytelling through song, and that versatility I was talking about up there shows up in his ability to move from grown-up musings to adult-and-kid-friendly slap-your-knee fun songs as his alter-ego "Uncle Rock". Robert also co-wrote a song with our beloved Ms. Cash (Rosanne) for her RULES OF TRAVEL disc, called 44 Stories. Though, I must admit, the song I hollah out most at Robert's gigs is "Junk Man! Play Junk Man, Baby!" He almost always obliges.
Rosanne Cash: I feel very honored to be one of the folks who calls this gifted girl "Maestra", a nickname given to her at the life-changing Essence of Songwriting 5-day workshop of 1997. Since that time, Rosanne has been both mentor and friend to me and the love I have for who she is as a woman and an artist/writer/seeker continues to grow. Her disc "Rules of Travel" is a beautiful combination of reflection and looking forward and includes what I believe is the last recording ever made of Rosanne and her father singing together. And now you need to grab up her latest recording BLACK CADILLAC, which is such a personal, beautiful portrait of a daughter dealing with loss. OK, I'm going to stop typing now, because I truly can't say enough warm and heartfelt things about this writer who has had a deep, profound influence on the writer I am today.
Nick Rolfe: OMG, I love this cat. Was browsing through some soulful releases at www.cdbaby.com one day and came across this sexy, funkified keyboardist...PROMPTLY bought his latest disc "The Remedy" and saw him play Joe's Pub not long after. Wow, friends and neighbors. He's a wonderful combo of bob-yo-head rhythmic neo-soul and thoughtful "I'm just a man making his way in the world" musings. I don't know Nick personally, but if there's any justice in the world then someday I will. (-:
Dana Parish: Some girls got it. Some girls don't. And some girls have an embarrassingly AMAZING wealth of talent and drive that makes the rest of us know we've got to give more than our best to be anywhere near her league. Enter Dana Parish. The Little Diva That Could. That gorgeous voice I wish I could bottle and drink when my own vocal cords are failing me. Dana has tremendous talent for Girl-Pop Music with Soaring Melodies. Her debut disc will prove it to you and anyone else who dares challenge that this girl isn't going places BIG.
Citizens of Contrary Knowledge: I have a theory that all musicians are on a constant prowl toward the next moment when bodies in rhythmic/melodic harmony fall into the proverbial "pocket" together...at the same time....in the same room...on the same stage. I'd bet you a bizillion bucks that The Citizens of Contrary Knowledge (yep, that spells COCK) will be making music together for many, many moons because these cats spend HOURS in that heavenly "hey, play that again...that shit is good!" place. A bona fide rock band, with a deliciously solid base of blues and soul, the Citizens (Breeze, Blake Hepburn, Mark Hermann and Mike Leslie) are the kinda band that make you leave the performance wanting to buy a guitar and wear their T-shirt while you do it. The Citizens debut disc YOU'RE WHAT YOU WISH YOU ARE is available now...and so is that rockin' t-shirt! Buy 'em both and catch this band in the nyc area soon.
Patti Witten: I don't quite know where to begin complimenting this prolific, stunningly poetic singer/songwriter friend of mine. Do I rave first about her lyrical prowess? Her beautifully intricate chord structures and tunings that find me completely incapable of covering one of her tunes? Her strong work ethic? Her self-marketing skill? Patti constantly impresses me, as well as impresses the loads of other folks who have applauded her with glowing reviews and song contest awards. I never, never tire of her song "Blue Blanket" and will always be grateful to have met Patti during the time she was writing it at Camp Cash in '97. She's a die-hard Joni Mitchell fan and is solidly in a Joni Mitchell league. Amen! She has three discs available at this writing and you NEED them all.
Steve Kunzman: When my friend Steve plays a song, the energy he creates is so welcoming and comfortable and full to the very last measure with proof of his many years of passionate musicianship. If you asked me to recommend the best guy around to park on your porch with a guitar to entertain your picnic, Steve Kunzman would be the man. If you wanted to hear a guy who could sing something beautifully sentimental backed by an impressive riff, Steve can provide it every time. He's folk and bluegrass and rock and he's one of the best reasons to go hear live music in New Jersey sometime soon. Check out his disc Find the Moon for proof positive of what I just said.
Mimi Cross: I think The Press of Atlantic City, NJ put it best when they said "Cross inhabits the same musical and emotional terrain as Ani Difranco, Joan Osborne and Alanis Morissette." Another songstress I'm honored to call a friend, Mimi curls that Jersey girl confidence and lyrical intelligence around topics that always resonate but often with a musical slant that will suprise you. She's the master of songs-that-wreck-you and I love her for it! I've never been so happy to be broken into tiny little pieces after hearing songs like "Narcissus" on her newest disc called "I Slept". If you can imagine Fiona Apple as a soprano, then you've got a bit of Mimi Cross' sultry sound in your head.
Gretchen Witt: If you love the music of singer/songwriters like Dar Williams and Natalie Merchant, you will LOVE this girl. Gretchen, a studied pianist with a gorgeous, honey-rich Kate Rusby-like voice, writes the prettiest dang melodies this side of Ohio, where she grew up. Rock-on NYC-transplanted Mid-Western girls! Gretchen's beautiful self-titled EP is available at this link. Buy it in bulk, 'cause you'll wanna give it as gifts.
New Soul Orchestra: New Soul Orchestra was started by Michael Miller, lead singer and songwriter, who has that sweeeeeeeet soulful Earth, Wind and Fire kinda sound goin' on that makes me swoon and sway every time I hear it. You have GOT to experience this group live because the music they make together fills every little corner of the venue with lush R&B energy. And you know any band headed by a Libra has got balance and harmony in spades, baby. Their lastest self-titled recording is even available on vinyl so for a retro 70's-kinda treat give it a spin, kids, you'll love it.
Ritallin the Cerebral Stimulant: And now for something completely different. Greg Frankson, as his alter-ego Ritallin the Cerebral Stimulant, is a poet/essayist/activist/I'll-tell-you-this-'cause-it-needs-to-be-told kind of impressive writer and performer that Canada is lucky to call their own. For a liberal, change-the-world view, check out Ritallin's poetry and prose. And then help me get him to NYC for some of that SLAM-tastic poetry performin' I crave from this intelligently outspoken, talented man.
Amnesty International: I'm proud to be a member of this organization dedicated to Protecting Human Rights Globally. Check it out. Make a difference. Yes, you can.
Animal Fantastic: Talk about having a BLAST singing for the kiddies! Singer/songwriter/musician/educator Barry Albert (who I met through my good friend Jennifer Lavonier...thanks, Jenn!) invited me to do some singing on his children's music project called "Rhythm and Melody's Animal Fantastic" and I couldn't be more pleased to have been part of it. A fun, kid-bouncin'/laughin'/singin'/clappin' romp of a disc with all the various animals chimin' in. Check out the fun-for-kids website with a downloadable coloring book, games and wallpaper, too.
Laura Jean Nothern: My dear, long-distant (she's currently a happy Portland resident) friend, Laura Nothern, is an artist with one of the most beautiful, aware, open, loving, sometimes whimsical and always unbelievably soulful perspectives on the world, both in her artwork and in her outlook. Please visit her site for a peek at some of her paintings and to shop her fun and inspired cafepress items for sale. Yes, she accepts commissions!
Plan USA: Please, please, PLEASE take a look at this organization's website if you are someone looking to make a difference in childrens' lives all over the world. Plan USA has programs toward ending child trafficking, helping with disaster relief, promoting and supporting education and working toward the enormous, difficult task of ending HIV/AIDS. They also have programs where you can sponsor a child and THIS organization is NOT affiliated with any specific religious group. They support each culture's religious practices in the areas of sponsorship. I'm the proud sponsor-mama of a young boy in Kenya and just knowing he's out there, knowing his community benefits from our relationship, does my heart good. (-:
Josh Roy Brown: I first met Josh Brown at a song circle. One of those Round Robin set-ups at someone's apartment where we take turns sharing original tunes. I must admit that this guy completely intimidated me at first with his big intense eyes and his outspoken nature. But not only did this (turns out) really sweet man share really well-written songs and show-off his guitar-pickin' prowess, he made a point of complimenting MY songs and telling me I had a gift. Now I don't know about you, but that makes one helluvah guy in my book! (-: Josh's CD "Can't Look Back" is available now, so grab one up and let it spin. And I dare you to find a better lap steel player this side of any river, anywhere.
PlanetSARK: SARK....otherwise known as Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy....is an author, speaker, creative inspiring soul who has been playfully motivating me to find juicy, succulent joy in life's little things for years. Her books like INSPIRATION SANDWICH, EAT MANGOES NAKED, SUCCULENT WILD WOMAN....etc, etc, etc...are wonderful, whimsical perspectives from a wonderfully whimsical girl. I just love her. Go to her website and fall in love with her, too. (-: