Terri Jo Jenkins talks to KUVO during Women’s History Month

Whether you catch Terri Jo Jenkins performing with Jeff Jenkins, the Mile High Jazz Trio or with the Parak Hill Brass, you are in for a treat. 

Terri Jo was kind enough to take some time recently to answer a few questions that I had for her regarding her love of jazz. 

Who are some of your “Sheros”?

I have a long history as a folk singer / songwriter and so I often incorporate that background into the jazz music that I’ve come to love. Joni Mitchell and Phoebe Snow are strong influences. Like me, they both started more in the contempory folk music scene and later added more and more jazz to their performing.  I am currently listening and inspired by the Danish jazz singer, Senna Eeg. Her smooth alto voice and songwriting are amazing. I also am constantly amazed and inspired by Rene Marie, formerly from Denver.  Her approach to performing and songwriting is something I aspire to be more like as I continue to learn. 

“What got you interested in jazz”?

About 20 years ago, I was working in a little coffee house that I owned in Lincoln, Nebraska when a man walked in and said, “I heard you sing, and I’d like you to audition for my jazz band.” I informed him that I was a singer songwriter guitar girl and didn’t have a typical jazz voice. He said he liked that I didn’t have all the common jazz phrasing and embellishments that so many jazz musicians expected. So I auditioned, started singing with that jazz band and others, and my singing career took a wonderful turn. I loved learning all about jazz music, working with incredibly talented musicians and the feeling of singing this genre of music on stage. My love affair with jazz began, believe it or not, in Nebraska:)

What is your favorite jazz song?

Ooh such a tough question to answer!  How can I choose only one?’ 🙂

The songs I chose to record on my last album in 2016 (From This Moment) are all favorites of course. But I think I would have to go back to my original inspiration, Joni Mitchell, and say that her song, “A Case of You”, still touches my heart deeply every time I hear it or perform it.  I know that a lot of singers, both jazz and other genres cover this song and I never tire of hearing it.

“What inspires you about jazz?“

Improvisation. Being in the moment and making the songs new with each change of my mood. The feeling of freedom when I’m singing anything from an old jazz standard to something fresh off the manuscript paper.  I also love the camaraderie among the jazz musicians. The musical communication on stage and the support off stage. When I started sharing my idea of starting a local festival that focuses on vocal jazz, I was overwhelmed with support from vocalists, instrumentalists, and jazz music listeners. Last year was the first SongBird Vocal Jazz Fest, and the second annual SongBird fest will be this Nov. 2nd. I like to describe it as an educational event for jazz singers and instrumentalists who work with singers. I’m so grateful for the support of many people in the jazz music world on this venture! As they say…….”it takes a village.”

You can learn more about Terri Jo at her website.