Like father, like daughter

It is just Jen Chapin, her body as her instrument, and her bassist, accompanist and husband… It is just Jen Chapin, her body as her instrument, and her bassist, accompanist and husband Stephan Crump by her side, plucking away. As a team, they soul-search, seek solutions for world problems and devote time and relentless energy to people – especially students. Tonight, the New York City-based artist will share her interpretations of her developed folky-jazz style through music.

As the daughter of famous singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, like any artist coming from successful musical roots, she was faced with the fear of potentially standing in the shadow of her father. However, when Chapin began playing her earthy-toned urban-funk music in dive bars or random garages, the audience would listen intently and find her music to be innovative. She pays homage to the pathway that was left by her late father, but curves from his legacy to create her own masterpiece – her own music.

Chapin’s music is a statement, her words precisely chosen to present and portray city life, world hunger and what the heart yearns for – connection and love.

From a diverse background, Chapin studied International Relations in Mexico and studied jazz and funk at Berklee College of Music. She taught music to students in Brooklyn, performed at folk and jazz festivals in New England and Switzerland and has received various awards. She has also performed at the Sundance Film Festival.

Noted as a Norah Jones of the village, she has a sensual and flowing tone to her voice, yet a funky, whimsical and haunting lyricism in her work. She conjures a diverse spectrum of moods through her motif, noted as exquisite and potent.

Outside of music, Chapin is a social activist, intensely devoted to education and music making a difference in student’s lives. She is also committed to WHY (World Hunger Year), a non-profit organization which was founded by her father and which works to build the bridge between artists and grass-roots groups fighting against hunger and poverty across the country. She also serves on the advisory boards of Kids Make a Difference and Secret Smiles.

Her music seeks to address these issues. Her voice evokes emotions through words and somber tones. Although currently Chapin has a small yet devoted audience, her new CD, Linger, intended to arrive on the shelves in February 2004, is predicted to hit the pop charts.

Jen Chapin will play at the Quiet Storm in Friendship tonight at 8 p.m. For more information, call (412) 661-9355.