Jen Porter profile picture

Jen Porter

Piano/acoustic guitar rock with powerhouse vocals

About Me


NEW STUDIO ALBUM, "Moving On...", released June 20th, 2006 to a packed house at Cubby Bear in Wrigleyville. (Produced and drummed by Ed Toth, formerly of Vertical Horizon, now second drummer with the Doobie Brothers)
There’s no doubt about it; Jen has been playing music all of her life. With straightforward lyrics that relate universally and music that flows from one song to the next, despite several different styles exhibited, Jen has the ability to captivate any audience. The lyrics speak of life, love, and deep relationships that affect us all. The music is melodic and heartfelt. Friends say she’s "Ahead of her time" and "Stronger vocally than anyone else I’ve heard". Critics say her voice is "soulfully raucous" and that she is "without a doubt an artist to keep your eye on". She is compared to Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, and Janis Joplin in the same breath. With a voice that reaches out and grabs you and a musical style that’s captivating and melodic, you won’t soon forget this performer.
Jen deftly plays her own original rock creations, on piano or acoustic guitar, as well as covering artists as diverse as Fiona Apple and Tori Amos to Paul Simon and James Taylor, Elton John and Billy Joel to Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, Carole King and Sheryl Crow to Alanis Morrisette and Janis Joplin.
Career Highlights
Voted Best Local Musician - 2003 by readers of the Chicago Free Press
Performed for over 120,000 on the Mall in Washington DC
Performed National Anthem for Major League sporting events at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Soldier Field and Wrigley Field
Radio airplay across the US and Europe, as well as interviews & guest spots on WCKG 105.9, Sirius Radio, XM Radio, Struzzin.com
Named Best Local Musician in 2003 by the Chicago Free Press
Took top honors in Underground Wonder Bar talent search; WGN Ch. 9 Battle of the Bands Contestant
Music solicited for use in both film & television (ABC/Disney)
Showcased at Atlantis Music Conference, Sheffield Garden Walk (Chicago), Midpoint Music Festival & CDBabys National TourBaby

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 11/10/2003
Band Website: jenporter.com
Band Members: Jen Porter - keyboards, acoustic guitar & lead vocals
Brian Toth - lead guitar
Kevin Patrick - drums & vocals
'Smokin' Joe Thomas - bass & vocals

Occassionally, the following special guests may be performing as well:
Mercer - percussions, vocals
Chris Foreman - organ, rhodes, keyboards
James 'Percolator' Perkins - saxaphone, tamborine
Influences: Janis Joplin, Stevie Nicks, Aretha Franklin, Steely Dan, Sheryl Crow, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Alanis Morrisette

Sounds Like: Janis Joplin, Natalie Merchant, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morrisette

Acoustic Chicago - My Own Hand - Clip from CD/DVD ON SALE NOW!

Acoustic Chicago - My Own Hand - Music Video by Ken Koller Productions

Type of Label: None

My Blog

Flying through the trees & getting a little more press

January 24th Rich & I went up to Pic Paradis, the highest point on the island.  I love that there are mountains AND ocean here&.it's the best of both worlds, in my mind.  In any case, P...
Posted by Jen Porter on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 02:08:00 PST

The mid-month shift

January 18th So Jordan & Kamelia have left and Rich is now here!  He's so happy playing in the water&.he even found a playmate!  This cute little French boy (see pics).  Just as my...
Posted by Jen Porter on Mon, 21 Jan 2008 05:08:00 PST

Radio interview

January 15th This morning, I did a radio interview on Island 92 (island92.com) with Bogart, who's actually from Illinois originally.  We had a ball and I've been asked to return to do one more i...
Posted by Jen Porter on Fri, 18 Jan 2008 04:04:00 PST

Jukebox Heroes and surf & turf

  January 13th We went to Uncle Harry's for dinner tonight and had the BEST surf and turf on the island!  Everyone had recommended this place for lobster & filets and they were so righ...
Posted by Jen Porter on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:26:00 PST

Balancing some partying & taking care of myself

January 9th Last night, after work, I headed out with a group that works at the Sonesta Maho Resort.  Two of the guys are Dutch, one is Italian, and the other is from the Dominican Republic.&n...
Posted by Jen Porter on Fri, 11 Jan 2008 03:53:00 PST

More good times

  January 6th Saturday night, Jordan & I went to the dance club after work & closed the place  6:30am, by the way.  Needless to say, we didn't get up too early on Sunday. &n...
Posted by Jen Porter on Tue, 08 Jan 2008 11:30:00 PST

With a little help from me friends

January 5th Jordan & Kamelia arrived safely  Kamelia said she could hear me singing as she came up the stairs to the second level of the Sonesta Maho Plaza (where Soprano's is located).  ...
Posted by Jen Porter on Sat, 05 Jan 2008 12:42:00 PST

Ah, St. Maarten

January 2nd I arrived safely in the islands yesterday afternoon  and so did my luggage!  HOORAY!  I'm waiting for the Federal Express package I sent to myself with some things for the mo...
Posted by Jen Porter on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 03:22:00 PST

Still Singing After All These Years

Girl Scouts' 95th Anniversary Sing-Along That's right - I'm back from another Girl Scout Anniversary - and I'm still riding high from the elation of being a part of such a wonderful, monumental (excus...
Posted by Jen Porter on Thu, 14 Jun 2007 12:08:00 PST