Jenn and Elliot

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FROM JENN – The Story

 

 

 

I have known Elliot for over 6 years…but it has been within the past 3 years that I’ve had the pleasure of getting to truly know him as a person, roommate, performer, teacher, music partner, and best of all…friend.  Our lives have paralleled in ways that have brought us closer together with each experience; it’s amazing to have a person who will just sit and listen as you go through “one of those moments”; never making you feel judged for any of it…Elliot has been that person for me.

Elliot has the ability to write lyrics that hit so close to home for me, it’s as if he lived through my experiences himself.  His music and lyrics have transformed our once musical theater based collaboration into what is now a dynamic soul fusion duo; with a sound inspired by different genres that have been touched by soul music.
I’ve been an entertainer for as long as I can remember.  You know the kind: singing for groups of family members when I was 4yrs old, dancing through my kitchen (at any age :), dance recitals, musicals, chorus, church choir, a BA in dance, NYC dreams…these have all helped to shape who I am today.

Inspiration is what it all comes down to.  I have never found success in anything that I wasn’t inspired to go after with full force.  And to be clear…I’m not talking about the inspiration to START the journey.  I’m talking about the inspiration to fight through the battles, jump back up when you’re knocked down, push forward, and COMPLETE that journey!

~J

FROM ELLIOT – The Sound

 

 

 

I didn’t grow up in a bar, per say. That would have either been entirely too fabulous, or rather an understated form of child abuse.  I was, however, allowed to sneak up to one from time to time on Friday or Saturday nights from the time I was 8 years old.  Why? For a nice sensible beer?  Hardly.  My dad played (and still plays) drums in jazz, rock, soul and funk bands at a small, ornately decorated Italian restaurant in my hometown; he also serves as the entertainment manager and has been playing at that restaurant since before I was born.  It was here that I heard my first taste of live music….the sweaty, blues guitarist with the gap between his teeth; the short, bubbly blues mama with bleach blond dreadlocks and a voice low enough to rival Bea Αrthur, and also some house hold names such as bassist Ron Fudoli and trombone legend Harold Betters-who has played with Ray Charles, Louis Αrmstrong and other greats (ok, you get the picture).  I also took music lessons from the time I was three and went to undergrad. and graduate school for music; which paints another picture that is just as informative but far less interesting. In my hometown of Pittsburgh I had music coming at me from all sides…from within the family to my stint as pianist and musical director at a Baptist church where I became obsessed with gospel music and learned the style and repertoire of some of my favorite singers and writers to date.  When I moved to NYC (attending Manhattan School of Music as a jazz voice grad. candidate) I immediately landed the lead in an Off-Broadway show in which I sang and played some heavy duty jazz arrangements.  One more degree and one heart jolting break-up later, I teamed up with my dear friend Jenn Lederer; it was because of her that I finally became able to incorporate all of my crazy musical influences with some intense yet accessible lyrics I needed to get out of my head and set on songs!  Our music is two parts upbringing, three parts life experience and a whole lot of hard work and motivation!  I don’t think the industry knows exactly what is about to hit them; but if our crazy audience feedback and critical acclaim have anything to do with it, Jenn and Elliot are DEFINITELY here to stay…

~E