Artist description Jessica is a compelling songstress with an unmistakable ability to draw you into her explorations of life and the human experience. In the same vein as storytellers Ani Difranco and Sarah McLachlan, Jessica's beautiful voice journeys through her unforgettable melodies and powerful acoustic guitar playing. Whether it's an infectious groove or a heart-breaking confessional, Jessica always delivers with exquisite style and honesty.

Music Style Acoustic Alternative

Musical Influences Shawn Colvin, Sarah McLachlan, Nick Drake, Counting Crows

Similar Artists Ani DiFranco, Tori Amos, Sarah McLachlan

Artist History Born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Jessica’s artistic career began at the age of seven in the acting business. She starred in her own children’s television series, Harriet’s Magic Hats (still in worldwide syndication). Her acting days behind her (at least for the moment), Jessica pursued her Commerce Degree at the University of Alberta. After graduation, she naturally set out to become . . . a musician. Jessica launched her own independent record label, Sway Gypsy Records, in 1994. Since then, she has released three titles in Canada and her latest, solo effort, Humanisms, in both Canada and the United States. Jessica’s first three releases have all received recognition from the Alberta Recording Industry Association with nominations in their 1995 and 1996 award ceremonies. Jessica also received the honor of Best Alternative/New Music Artist on Record in June of 1998, for her third release, Tiniest of Bones. Recently relocated to New Jersey, Jessica has caught the attention of venue owners all over the New York - New Jersey area and is continually being invited back to play legendary clubs like New York City's, The Bitter End. Since it's release in July of 1999, Humanisms is collecting rave reviews from fans, radio and press.

Group Members Jessica Owen

Instruments Acoustic guitar

Albums Most recent : ever-so-slightly-rearranged

Press Reviews ----"...(Owen) mines the same fertile fields as Jewel and Ani DiFranco – in Ani’s more contemplative moments. She wrote or co-wrote all of the album’s eleven songs. Not one stands out and screams – “Hi, I’m the hit single Jessica needs to reach the masses, but they’re all very strong. And her voice is beautiful. She also plays acoustic guitar and is ably backed on this recording by Maury Lafoy (bass), Andy Stochansky (drums and percussion), and Kurt Swinghammer (guitars, sitar, lap steel, etc.). Dale Penner produced, capturing each instrument – from her vocals to her acoustic guitar – perfectly. Maybe not having “a single” (yet) will benefit her in the long run? Because those that discover her early on won’t be as likely to suffer from pop attention span disorder and will be around for her as she builds upon this success and develops her career. I, as both a greedy new fan and jaded industry observer, hope so." ---From PERFORMING SONGWRITER: For DO-IT-YOURSELF Songwriters: Reviews By John Porter. JOHN PORTER has worked with such artists as Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, Los Lobos, Joe Ely, the Subdudes, and Catie Curtis at various artist companies. He has also served as General Manager and V.P. of A&R at Koch Records. --############################################################################################################################################### ----"...(Owen's) 11-song, self-released CD, Humanisms, is an absolutely gorgeous piece of work that recalls the more tolerable elements of Alanis, Ani, Tori, and Sarah melded with the best of Rickie Lee Jones, Heart, Janis Ian, Kelly Willis, and Joni Mitchell. One track is called A Song for Free, for a heart-tugging, soul-searching, sunless Sunday-morning confessional."--Al Muzer- East Coast Rocker, 12/29/99 ---------------#################################################################################################################################----"...(Owen) writes solid, CATCHY songs and can put it all together on stage." --- Mike Ross, The Edmonton Sun – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada-------##########################################################################################----"I want to thank you so much for sending me the Jessica Schoenberg (now Owen) CD. I get so many insipid girl songwriter records, that I just can't bear to hear another one. BUT, within one listen of this record...MMMMM...it's so great to hear somebody with a really sweet voice, singing about very tart subjects. Wonderfully inventive lyrics and marvelous sense of melody. Thank God!" --- Marilyn Rea Beyer, Music Director, WUMB, Boston, MA ------------------######################################################################################################################## ----"Her 1999 album, Humanisms, with its graceful melodies and surprising lyrical twists, rises above most of the rest of the singer-songwriter pack." ----- Jay Lustig, The Sunday Star-Ledger, New Jersey, January 2, 2000 ----################################################################################################# ----"Unique and powerful . . . electrifying performances." ----------- Uptown Magazine – Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada ----##########################################################################################################---- "Jessica we hardly knew ya . . . ok take this, record company weasels: she looks great, can sing circles around Alanis Morissette, has a keen understanding of the music business, writes solid, catchy songs and can put it all together on stage. Celebrating the release of their second CD, Tiniest of Bones, the Jessica Schoenberg Band has come such a long way in three years that it’s like an entirely new act. That folky, nervous, slip of a girl who unveiled her debut album, Sounds Like a Plan, in 1994, is gone. “It’s still me,” she laughs, “but I’m by no means shy. Not any more. I’d say the true essence of performing has only come together for me in the last year. For the first couple of years, the thrill of performing wasn’t really my motivation. Now I can’t wait to get up on stage and do my thing. That’s what I live for.” The six songs on the new album, produced and recorded by Vancouver’s Dale Penner (Holly McNarland, Econoline Crush) are aggressive, edgy and sometimes even angry. It’s odd since Schoenberg is one of those genuinely “nice” people you could never imagine losing their temper, but it’s not contrived. Comparisons are inevitable – and Alanis was bound to come up. Schoenberg decided not to sweat it. “The songs I write tend to be more commercial, so consequently, people start plugging you into categories and comparing you to what’s familiar. We decided to do what we do, and whatever that was, we would stand behind it. And this is what we came up with.” ------ Mike Ross, The Edmonton Sun, Edmonton, Alberta, September 12, 1997

Location Montclair, NJ - USA

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