In 1999, Jennifer joined the Dan Kane Singers, quickly earning a regular soloist slot in the very popular local singing group. She solos in the annual Dan Kane Singers Christmas Spectacular, which consistently sold out at Symphony Hall and was the first show to sell out at the newly renovated Mass Mutual Center in 2005. Jen’s DKS performances also include the 2000-2001 Spring concerts at Symphony Hall and CityStage. Critical reviews have described various past performances as, “exquisite and inspirational”, “perfection”, “upbeat”, “strong”, and “heartfelt”.

Throughout the summer of 2004, Jen had the pleasure of performing her favorite jazz and pop standards at the Tavern Restaurant in Westfield, with multi-talented musical genius Dan Kane at the keys. In 2003 and 2004, she joined 10-12 other soloists from the DKS group to perform in “An Evening of Love Songs” on Valentine’s Day weekend at the Majestic Theatre in West Springfield, MA. Last July, the smaller group provided a Summer Cabaret show at the same theatre. Jen has caroled through the past few Christmas Seasons with Dan at the Munich Haus restaurant in Chicopee and performed with several other soloists in the restaurant’s dinner shows. She’s also a regular soloist in the outdoor concerts in Westfield, West Springfield and Wilbraham during the summertime.

Singing and performing have always been her passion. Her best memories of high school are of the rehearsals and performances as Irene Molloy in “Hello Dolly”. She performed in the annual minstrel shows and, in her senior year, she took the lead as Jennifer Rumson in “Paint Your Wagon”.

Long-coveted voice lessons finally started at age 17 with Peter Thompsen in Wilbraham. ‘Peter first introduced me to the concept of placement’, she remembers. ‘Who knew how useful blowing raspberries could be?!’ In her last two years at Smith College, she studied voice with the highly esteemed soprano and voice instructor, Adrienne Auerswald in Northampton. Jennifer still calls on Ms. Auerswald for lessons when she can fit them into her busy schedule. “I wish I could find more time to study with her. She is incredible. In about an hour I am back on track and have my technique in place again.”

Recordings

In 2002, the Dan Kane Singers recorded an Inspirational CD which includes Jennifer’s version of The Prayer, which was made popular by Josh Groban and Charlotte Church. Jennifer sings both the English and Italian parts, recording multiple tracks on the CD to provide the harmonies. She performs her locally popular version of The Prayer in the Dan Kane Singers church concerts each spring and fall.

In 2002, Jennifer also recorded a contemporary version of Hail Mary, beautifully composed and arranged by Steve Moser for the New Traditions label. The song features 3-part harmonies, all sung by Jennifer who shares vocal arrangement credits with Steve on the song. It was released in 2003 and aired on WJMJ 88.9 in Hartford, CT. Lauded as a “classically styled, meditative musical devotion”, it is available for sale on the New Traditions website at http://www.new-wedding-traditions.com/hailmary.htm.

Her first solo CD - Sugar & Spice!

Jennifer’s most formidable and enjoyable undertaking has been Sugar & Spice. Simultaneously taking on roles of producer, director, vocalist, and more, Jen located the perfect recording studio, carefully selected each song, co-arranging or choosing the right arrangement, then finding the perfect combination of musicians to play each song – and even penning the liner notes! She attributes the CD’s refreshingly innovative and polished sound to the diverse collection of artists whose extraordinary talent and great experience made the CD possible. The internet CD store CD Baby describes Sugar & Spice as “Tasty Big Band, Jazz and Broadway treats served up with a scrumptious blend of Sugar & Spice and so much more.” The Dan Kane Singers website advertises Sugar & Spice, stating, “She adds her beautiful voice to some of the most wonderful songs ever written.”

‘People who only know me from church and Chalice are surprised at Sugar & Spice’, Jen says. ‘They expect a CD of Sacred / Inspirational music. I definitely will do that. I’m in the early stages of a CD like that now, but I had performed with some wonderful, wonderful local musicians and I couldn’t pass up the chance to do some upbeat, fun music with spicy (and sometimes sassy!) big band arrangements! I mean, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to sing to arrangements like those that you’ll hear on All That Jazz, At Last, Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen, Big Time and This Can’t Be Love on the CD. And the wild, gypsy violin on Nature Boy / Autumn Leaves and the soulful cello on Over the Rainbow are exquisite! There was a great big team of talent involved on this CD. I had so much fun with them – and am so proud of all that they brought to the finished product!’

Jennifer lives in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts with her husband, Michael, their cocker spaniels, Angel and Holmes, resident feline, Kiki and with her mom, dad and four sisters within visiting distance. She is currently employed as a Business Analyst at The Hartford Life Insurance Company in Simsbury, CT.