Bio
Singer/songwriter Jeanne Jolly broke onto the music scene as the featured vocalist for Grammy Award winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. Touring all through North America she had the opportunity to sing with world renowned symphonies and perform at venues like Carnegie Hall and play marquee events such as the Monterey Jazz Festival.
A diverse, classically trained vocalist, Jolly’s voice is said to embody the “early belting power of Linda Ronstadt” (MetroMusicScene, VA) combined “the delicate lilt of Alison Krauss” (NC Metro Magazine). Born in North Carolina, Jolly was the recipient of Western Carolina University’s Young Alumni Award and has earned a Masters in Vocal Performance from New England Conservatory. Upon completing her schooling, Jolly moved to L.A. where her career quickly took off. In addition to working with Botti, she began to explore different styles of music, recording with acclaimed songwriters Lowen & Navarro and country artist Bob Woodruff.
After her tenure with Botti came to an end Jolly found herself being pulled back to her Southern roots. Soon she co-wrote, co-produced, and recorded her first country/Americana EP (Jan, 2008) and started a band in Los Angeles. In 2009, Jolly moved back to North Carolina where she began to focus on developing her guitar skills, sharpening her solo performance, and focusing on writing more of her own songs. It wasn’t long until she once again found herself in the company of Grammy nominated artists, opening up for Sam Bush, Maura O’Connell, Chuck Mead, and many more.
In October 2010 Jolly released her new EP, Falling In Carolina.which has garnered top praise for honest lyrics and quality vocals. Recorded in Durham, NC at SoundPure studios and released over an 11 day run of 29 shows at the 2010 NC State Fair in Raleigh, the album features Jolly on vocals, baritone ukulele, piano and guitar. Jolly has also been the recipient of NC Metro Magazine’s award for “Best Local Musician” in 2010, 2011, and was also a featured artist at the 2011 International Folk Alliance in Memphis, TN. She has recently joined the family of Grammy nominated NC based group, The Foreign Exchange . Jolly is featured on their live DVD, Dear Friends: An Evening with The Foreign Exchange. She has been contributing vocals on their Authenticity Tour (2011-2012) & has been featured on a number of recordings produced by The Foreign Exchange Music.
As of August 2012, Jeanne has made a name for herself as a nationally known singer songwriter after a successful run through the northwest, playing the main stage at Red Ants Pants Music Festival along with: Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Hayes Carll, & Mary Chapin Carpenter. Following this performance, she went on to play the main stage at Sweet Pea Festival in Bozeman, MT along with other venues through the Northwest United States.
Jeanne released her debut full length, “Angels”, produced by Chris Boerner, released by The Foreign Exchange Music in October (2012) and has been on the road for her Album Release Tour playing to packed rooms in venues such as Lincoln Theater, Raleigh, NC, Rockwood Music Hall (Stage 2), NYC, & The Rutledge, Nashville, TN. On the airwaves, Jeanne has recently been featured live on WUNC’s “State of Things” (NPR) with Frank Stasio, 100.7 The River’s “Sunday Brunch” with Kitty Kinnin, G105 The Hit Music Channel’s “Showgram”, KGLT’s “Crossroads” out of Spokane, WA, WDVX’s “Blue Plate Special” out of Knoxville, TN, & WHQR’s “Soup to Nuts Live!” (NPR) out of Wilmington, NC & can now be heard on Pandora & Sirius XM.
“She is undeniably a versatile singer with an amazing and rare ability to sing with the sophistication of modern jazz and the simple passion of an Appalachian Americana. Jolly has a gorgeous voice that isn’t something you hear or happen upon everyday” Common Folk Review
Jeanne:
Wow, were you a hit last night, or what (at Soup to Nuts in Wilmington). I was in the back row and while you were singing the quiet parts, you could here a pin drop. That is audience involvement. And when you got the Standing O, it was chilling. The Steel player was also outstanding and complemented your voice very nicely.
Even thought the acoustics and sound system weren’t ideal, your voice was crystal clear – like AK and Linda R. at her best. You have a gift that has been honed by your hard work, resulting in a voice as good as I’ve heard for a very long time.
I found myself thinking I would love to hear you singing “Blue” and songs like Gentle River (early AK album) and some Patsy K and other good country songs.
I wish you the best in your career – you deserve it!
Ward
It is little doubt that this is the best singer in the world!
Her voice golden. Her contribution to “Laughing at Your Plans” on The Foreign Exchange’s “Dear Friends…” was magnificent. Wish you much love and success for career. Can’t wait for a full album. – Joseph Perry
We went to Norris Creek yesterday to the “Ribfest” Pretty lame affair…. Where were the “local breweries”? Three rib catering trucks and two Budwieser stations don’t really make for a big ribfest… I wasn’t expecting much though and it was free so that was really all good.
There was no way I was staying out there for Jason Michael Carroll either, not really into whatever pop-country crap the big machine in Nashville is trying to feed us this week.
However…
When Jeanne started we knew this was different and by the end of her set we knew that we had to find out more and were lucky enough to meet her and get a cd. Didn’t have to stand in line forever or pay $20.00 like the headliner either and I’m betting we had a more sincere conversation with her then the JMC fans.
I’ve seen comparisons to other singers on here and I suppose she can be compared to them but I think she’s really just Jeanne. Ok, she reminded me of Jewel a little bit….
I hope to catch the Berkely show but if not I’ll definitely catch her somewhere else when she gets back from the other side of the country.
Good luck Jeanne, can’t wait to see you again!
By the way, the band was incredible too. Loved the pedal steel!
Hearing a partial clip of Hallelujah on NPR today led me to your website to hear it all. I downloaded/donated in the names of my mother and only sister who died in 1986 and 2010, respectively, of ovarian cancer. Thank you, Jeanne for your generosity in recording this beautiful rendition and so soulfully sharing in the name of your mother.
Jeanne – I heard your interview on NPR ( Frank Stacio- The State of Things) today and was just so moved by your beautiful pure voice. You certainly have wonderful career ahead of you! The band also sounded sooo good – I can’t believe the great sound of the radio broadcast. I will be ordering your new CD …. Best of luck
Chris
Jeanne, I was so pleased to hear you in Aberdeen this past Sunday. You should have been the main event though we enjoyed The Chatham Co. Line too. Your voice is pure and so pleasing to the ear. I really can’t compare you to any other artist as your style is unique to you. I also appreciate your song writing abilities and find your lyrics to be quite poignant. I suspect you realize the Aberdeen audience fell in love with you and I hope you’ll play the Poplar Knight Spot many times in the future. Also hope you make it to Atlanta, our primary home. I bought your two CDs and have just about played them to death already! Best wishes for your career in the future! Sandy Hinton
Heard you at the NC State Fair yesterday afternoon. Just beautiful! I’ve been eating that same sweet corn for years. Thanks for another nice experience at the fair. I hope you keep circling back.