Dreamer

Ever since I saw Prince Edward Island native Jenn Grant perform last year in Hamilton, Ontario at The Casbah as vocalist of a trio configuration of The Heavy Blinkers, I've been smitten. She'd proved herself capable in the role of chanteuse against the backdrop of The 'Blinkers' pop sophistication. She came back to perform at the same venue this past summer to perform her own songs with a band and she showed a more casual, rootsier side of herself. Her debut independent EP billed as Jenn Grant and Goodbye Twentieth Century, released last year, is 6 songs of good honest songwriting, my favourites being the bouncy pop of "Don't Worry Baby", the rootsy pop of "The Last Waltz" and the languid Cowboy Junkies-sounding "Hawaii Song". Her first full length album, entitled "Orchestra For The Moon", is set for release in 2007, was produced by Jason MacIsaac and David Christensen of The Heavy Blinkers and features such guests as Ron Sexsmith, Jill Barber, Matt Mays, Tyler Messick, Dale Murray, and Rose Cousins. The two new tracks currently streaming at her MySpace are fantastic. With two recent Nova Scotia Music Awards - for New Artist as well as Female Artist of the Year - now under her belt, I'm hoping 2007 will be her breakout year. As much as I love Ruth Minnikin's vocals as part of the concoction that makes The Heavy Blinkers great, I hope that Jenn continues to sing with them also. Jenn was in Toronto back in May for Canadian Music Week performing at The Boat but unfortunately I missed that show because of a prior commitment. It's with great pleasure to read on her MySpace that she's coming back to Toronto in December for several shows[she'll also be in Guelph]. I've cut and paste below her upcoming Ontario dates:

Dec 10 2006 10:00P Holy Joe's w/ Reily Toronto
Dec 14 2006 9:00P The Supermarket Toronto
Dec 15 2006 10:00P Rancho Relaxo w/Down with the Butterfly, Hey Rosetta! Toronto
Dec 16 2006 10:00P Jimmy Jazz w/DWTB, Hey Rosetta! Guelph

Update: Jenn is also apparently performing in Hamilton, Ontario[info via Stille Post]:

Dec 06 2006 The Casbah(Lounge) w/ The Riptorns, guests
Dec 13 2006 The Casbah w/ Down With Butterfly, guests

Update: Check her MySpace for revised tour dates.

Jenn's New Music Canada is streaming several songs from her debut independent EP, "Jenn Grant and Goodbye Twentieth Century".

You can listen to a few new tracks from her upcoming debut full length "Orchestra For The Moon" over at her MySpace.

Amy McKie has a podcast of her interviewing Jenn earlier this year in March in Halifax during JUNOfest.

It's still online so why not check out Jenn's old official website.

Shop for Jenn Grant's music over at Maple Music.