Press Materials
Biography
Barbara Jean grew up immersed in a world of music and sound, honing her early gift for the violin and a musical legacy passed from grandmother to mother to daughter, into a sharp eye for songwriting and a skilled hand as a multi-instrumentalist. Calling the rugged grandeur of Lake Superior's North Shore home for the better part of the last decade, she has developed her craft through constant live performance sharing bills with notable acts such as Trampled By Turtles, Leon Russell, Kathy Mattea, Low, Junior Brown, Ben Nichols (Lucero), Jonathan Edwards, Martha Scanlan, The Pines, Amanda Shires, Meg Hutchinson, Eilen Jewell and more.
Accomplishments/Praise
“Minnesota’s answer to Emmylou Harris.” Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Barbara Jean has a subtle, seductive voice, she writes understated songs with a bit of north woods mystery in them and she totally charms an audience. Do not overlook her." Larry Groce, Host of NPR’s Mountain Stage
"When listening I hear the sound of middle America; the kind that runs from deep in Texas over to the Mississippi River, and up through the plains to the flat lands of Iowa and the icy cold snow and winters of Minnesota." Easy Ed, No Depression
“Packed with a radiant story and haunting voice, The Great Escape perfectly balances the heartbreak in her voice with the resonance of her band.” Youa Vang, City Pages Gimme Noise
Barbara Jean grew up immersed in a world of music and sound, honing her early gift for the violin and a musical legacy passed from grandmother to mother to daughter, into a sharp eye for songwriting and a skilled hand as a multi-instrumentalist. Calling the rugged grandeur of Lake Superior's North Shore home for the better part of the last decade, she has developed her craft through constant live performance sharing bills with notable acts such as Trampled By Turtles, Leon Russell, Kathy Mattea, Low, Junior Brown, Ben Nichols (Lucero), Jonathan Edwards, Martha Scanlan, The Pines, Amanda Shires, Meg Hutchinson, Eilen Jewell and more.
Accomplishments/Praise
- Big Top Chautauqua Songwriting Champion
- Honorable Mention Telluride Bluegrass Festival Troubadour Contest
- Performance on NPR’s Mountain Stage Radio Program
“Minnesota’s answer to Emmylou Harris.” Jon Bream, Minneapolis Star Tribune
"Barbara Jean has a subtle, seductive voice, she writes understated songs with a bit of north woods mystery in them and she totally charms an audience. Do not overlook her." Larry Groce, Host of NPR’s Mountain Stage
"When listening I hear the sound of middle America; the kind that runs from deep in Texas over to the Mississippi River, and up through the plains to the flat lands of Iowa and the icy cold snow and winters of Minnesota." Easy Ed, No Depression
“Packed with a radiant story and haunting voice, The Great Escape perfectly balances the heartbreak in her voice with the resonance of her band.” Youa Vang, City Pages Gimme Noise