Exploring the legacy of bluegrass and country music
As a performer, Jen Larson draws deeply from the early country and bluegrass catalogs. Inspired by the vocalists and pickers that came before her, she focuses on connecting deeply with both the story she's telling and her audience.
Jen is available for virtual and in-person workshops and speaking engagements about country and bluegrass music vocal styles and performance, the history of those genres, as well as the history of the Grand Ole Opry, with special focus on country and western stage wear. Jen also welcomes musical collaborations and recording and performance opportunities.
Listen to Jen’s EP on Spotify!
“Jen Larson has always been a favorite of mine. Her beautiful voice knows how to get the heart of a song. Full of passion and emotion!”
Performing
Jen has garnered critical praise and national airplay for her work with the former bluegrass band Straight Drive, and has performed at festivals and concerts across the country, including the Wheeling Jamboree, at Lincoln Center’s education department, and Carnegie Hall.
She has also appeared on several live broadcasts of “Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion,” and joined Bob Perilla’s Big Hillbilly Bluegrass band on a US State Department goodwill music tour to Oman.
In 2014, she released her first solo EP recording, Burning House, produced by the Grammy-nominated New York City bluegrass artist Michael Daves.
Speaking
Through her experience as a performer, combined with an academic knowledge of bluegrass, Jen provides insight into this early 20th century art form both online and in person.
She has appeared as a guest on numerous podcasts, in academic interviews, conference panels, and seminars. Past presentations include a virtual bluegrass show-and-tell told through artifacts and photographs in the Grand Ole Opry Archives collections, and a comprehensive look at the history of bluegrass with Michael Daves for Porchstomp. She has also been a virtual guest speaker for East Tennessee State University Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music the Department of Appalachian Studies, and the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.
Teaching
Jen continues to expand the reach of bluegrass music through educational and community building engagements. She has worked with students at both Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and has led numerous festival workshops on bluegrass vocals and the history of bluegrass music.
She has also co-taught bluegrass and country music harmony singing with Michael Daves, and contributed harmony vocal tracks to his ArtistWorks, “Bluegrass Vocals” online course study materials.
Since 2020, Jen has co-taught with Joe Newberry for both online and in-person at the Augusta Heritage Center, Bluegrass Week music camp.
“Jen has one of the best bluegrass voices you’ll hear these days. I’ve felt since the first time I heard her sing that she’s got something really special that world needs. It bothers me that more people haven’t had the opportunity to hear her do her thing.”
If you’re a cultural organization or podcast looking for historical expertise, or if you'd like to work with Jen as a musical collaborator, please contact Jen.
Burning House, Jen’s EP release with original artwork throughout, 2014.
Jen performing with Fran Leadon, Jalopy Theater in Brooklyn NY, 2014. Photo credit: Jack Hirshorn.
Jen performing with Michael Daves, Westchester Bluegrass Club Concert Series, 2016.
Jen with Bob Perilla’s Big Hillbilly Bluegrass, on a U.S. State Department music tour, visiting Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Oman. 2014.
Straight Drive Bluegrass Band
I’ll Take A Page From Your Book, Straight Drive CD release with Jen’s title track, 2005.