Jerry Jean at Toshi's Living Room, NYC.
I’m fortunate to have a music studio located in my home. As such, honing my songwriting, music production, piano, and vocal craft after breakfast is simply a commute up the stairs. Turning a room into a music studio was an arduous process involving extensive soundproofing, gear, research, etc. Expensive as hell, but worth every penny. These days, students and clients visit frequently, and although I genuinely enjoy spending my days with singers new and familiar, mixing audio, and surfing the net in my sunny alcove (a pre-requisite was a large window for natural lighting), I maintain a performer’s desire for musical interaction outside the studio. Live gigging, whether on a small or large scale, is the best way to grow as an artist, refine musicianship, and hone live performance skills.
Currently, I’m musical directing the “For the Love” concert series at Toshi’s Living Room, in the Flatiron district in NYC at 26th & Broadway. Every Monday night, some of the city’s best singers, from indie artists, to American Idol finalists, to Broadway singers stop by to share songs with an international audience in an intimate, hip new space. I generally sing 2 covers and an original song, and play piano for the other performers. The incomparable Paul Beaubrun of Zing Experience joins on drums. The line-up changes each week, as do the songs. It’s all very good for the brain.
Jerry Jean playing for pop songstress Shilpa Narayan at the Bitter End, NYC.
Another favorite venue of mine is The Bitter End, NYC’s oldest rock club. I met my wife here years ago (no joke). Yes, it’s a small place and the piano has cigarette burn marks on some of the keys, but everyone from Billy Joel, to Stevie Wonder, to Lady Gaga has played here. In the picture above, I’m playing for one of my clients, talented singer/songwriter Shilpa Narayan earlier this month. People seem to dig the hat, so I’ve been wearing it to all April gigs.
Jerry Jean playing strings for Florence + The Machine on MTV Unplugged.
When the situations arise, I break out the violin. I’m deeply grateful to my parents and teachers for all those lessons growing up. Being on the roster of some pop music contractors has given me the opportunity to play with acts including Florence + The Machine, Boyz II Men, Anita Baker, and others. Here’s a glimpse of me backing Florence Welch on MTV Unplugged. The performance was recorded live and a deluxe album released this month on Universal Island Records. Looking forward to new opportunities as 2012 progresses!
Jerry Jean is a Taiwanese-American musician and singer/songwriter based in NYC. His album Fighting For You is available on iTunes, CDBaby, & Amazon.
