| Jennifer Grassman | |
|---|---|
Grassman performing in September 2008 |
|
| Background information | |
| Born | December 8, 1984 |
| Instruments | Vocals, Piano |
| Associated acts | Falconer, Tori Amos, Loreena McKennitt |
| Website | http://www.JenniferGrassman.com/ |
Jennifer Grassman (born Jennifer Michelle Grassman on December 8, 1984 in Austin, Texas) is an American independent music and recording artist.[1]
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In 1986, Grassman's family moved from Austin, Texas to Memphis, Tennessee, where she began classical piano training at the age of 7. She spent her junior high and high school years in Austin, Texas and Santa Clarita, California while being home schooled by her mother, Lori Grassman. In 2002, Grassman composed the patriotic song, "Where The Wind Blows" which was dedicated to the American troops overseas [2] and aired on The Soldiers Radio Network.[3] Grassman was acknowledged by President George W. Bush[4] for her "kind gesture."
In 2003, Grassman majored in Opera at the University of Houston under the tutelage of Joan Gibbons in the Moores School of Music. Grassman held her first benefit concert for Crime Stoppers on the University of Houston campus in honor of her late friend, Rachael Koloroutis [5] who had been murdered earlier that year.[6] Grassman and Koloroutis became friends while working summer jobs during high school. Further concerts to raise money for Koloroutis' Crime Stoppers reward fund followed at such venues as Six Flags AstroWorld. In 2008, Grassman participated in an ABC 20/20 documentary about the case. Grassman left the University of Houston in 2005 to pursue her career as a full time soloist performer.
Grassman released her debut album, At The Back Of The North Wind, produced by MD Thomspson of The Ivory Tower, of Houston, Texas, in 2006.[7] The album featured the single Pretty Girls, which was later made into a music video, directed and produced by ZenFilm. The video went on to win a Silver ADDY Award [8] and first place at Dances With Films in 2009.[9]
Grassman's Christmas CD, Keep Silent; A Collection of Ancient Carols, produced by Dan Workman of SugarHill Recording Studios released in 2007 on the independent record label, TLM Productions.[10] Grassman performs a "Christmas Tour of Texas" nearly every year, which includes stops in Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. Grassman broke ties with TLM Productions soon after the completion of her Pretty Girls music video.
On her third album, Serpent Tales & Nightingales, Grassman returned to work with MD Thompson of The Ivory Tower. Serpent Tales & Nightingales released on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2010, and was financed largely by Grassman's fans who donated money and hosted house concerts to help raise funds.[11]
Grassman has appeared on live television shows, including ABC's 20/20[12][13] (in connection with her benefit concerts for Crime Stoppers), Great Day Houston on KHOU (TV) and Houston PBS's late night show The After Party with Ernie Manouse.
Grassman writes a music industry column titled The Business Of Being Diva, for The Washington Times Communities.[14] She has interviewed Imogen Heap, Natalia Tena, Brian Ray, Aimee Mann, Larry Klein, and other notable figures in the music and entertainment industries. She also documented SXSW in March, 2011.
Grassman is reputed in the greater Houston area [15] for organizing philanthropic events to raise funds and boost publicity for non-profits such as no-kill animal organizations,[16] women's shelters, anti-crime and anti-abuse organizations such as Crime Stoppers and RAINN (The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network),[17] and victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[18] In 2009, Grassman was commended by Tori Amos for her work on behalf of rape and domestic violence victims.[19]
On September 30, 2006, Grassman married Jason Lee Greenberg, in Conroe, Texas. She and Greenberg met at the University of Houston while Grassman was seeking band members to back her up during public performances. Greenberg plays bass, electric, acoustic and classical guitar on Grassman's albums and during live shows. Grassman and Greenberg currently reside in Houston, Texas.[20]
On 8th December, 2011, Grassman made Islamophobic comments describing Islam as an "evil religion" and a "cruel doctrine." [21]
At The Back Of The North Wind (2006)
Reviews: http://www.blog.collectedsounds.com/?p=1327
http://www.childrensmiracleministry.org/AllArtists.htm
Keep Silent; A Collection Of Ancient Carols (2007)
Reviews: http://www.29-95.com/music/bands-and-artists/jennifer-grassman
Serpent Tales & Nightingales (2010)
Mathias Blad of the Swedish metal band, Falconer (band), guest sang on "Blackbird," on the CD, Serpent Tales & Nightingales.
