Jazz Recession: Twin Cities Chapter

Jazz musicians in America experience “the grind” daily. Allow me to elaborate. Our clubs have closed, are closing, or can’t afford to pay. If they can pay, a musician is lucky to make $30 on a weeknight, with the “added bonus” of food and drinks. Many musicians “play for fun,” accepting gigs for free. This makes it increasingly difficult for those of us making our living as musicians to ask a fair wage of a venue. Our clubs that once billed themselves as “jazz clubs” now host mostly other genres, or only national jazz acts. Singers, horn players… all a dime a dozen. So, why do we do what we do? Why don’t we just give up?

Because we love it.

You Know What?

We’ve been composing a lot lately! There is bound to be another album much sooner than later. I know, we just can’t stop! This is what happens when you are surrounded by excellent music/musicians 24/7. I am spoiled. It’s true. Well, SOMEone had to come out and say it!

More after the jump!

Adele and SURPRISE!!

Caught Adele at the Excel last night. Man can that girl sing! When you can make the Excel sound good, you must be do’in somethin’ right. Don’t get my wrong, I would’ve much rather caught her show at First Ave. where I was originally supposed to, but she killed it and made the space work for what she does.

Now for the surprise: More than half way through the show, Adele proceeds to talk in her delightfully Northern English accent about how the tune she’s about to sing makes her, laugh, cry, smile, and is just downright beautiful. What does she break into? “I Can’t Make You Love Me!” For those of you who don’t know, we just released our version of this Bonnie Raitt classic on our newest album, “Fever!” Impeccable timing? Kindred spirits? Who knows, but Adele and I both agree it’s time to bring this painfully gorgeous song back. Adele presented a very classic, soul-filled rendition. Our version has a new spin on it, and radio stations have been spinning it quite often! I know you’ll dig what Jake Nyberg came up with on drums (my bro =) which gives it a feel uniquely our own- a drum and bass drum track kind of thing. See what you think- pick up the new album via itunes, CD Baby, or any number of your other favorite music purchasing vehicles! Then, get at me. Feedback, people! To conclude, do catch Adele in concert, she is accessible and downright amazing. Oh, and Bonnie Raitt, she’s not too shabby live either

That is all, my friends. Love, Jana Banana

www.janajazz.com

P.S. Composing today- look for new music soon! Which will be newer than the newest stuff, which will then not be…the newest…since…there’s…newer newer music. …Yeah.

Adele at Excel

Writ’in and Releasing!

Man, it’s fun to write for this group, and fun to release new music!

Adam and I have been co-writing songs lately, and one in particular that is on the new album, “Baby Girl’s Life,” is being received wildly well. That’s such a satisfying feeling, and then even more fun to perform. Door County audiences gave warmer receptions than we could’ve dreamed of at our Door County CD Release concert August 11th in Sturgeon Bay, with an audience 300-strong! Similarly loving crowds demanded encores and danced the night away at three other Door County shows this past weekend. 4 hits in 3 days takes a toll on you, but it’s all worth it.

1st CD Release of "Fever"

Looking forward, our Mpls. CD Release is this weekend, and we couldn’t be more pumped! With American Idol postponing the release of this project for a year, it’s finally getting out to you!!! Saturday, August 20th, at Hell’s Kitchen, 6-9p, is when we will excitedly present you with this new project. We love performing in Hell, and will have two special guest appearing with us- Twin Cities’ own Cory Grossman on cello, and Matt Ecklund, emcee.

Further, we’ve gotten a lot of press lately! 106.9 FM the Lodge (Door County, WI) dedicated their entire “Lodge Local” slot to our group, complete with co-hosting the show and spinning 5 tunes from the new album. Thanks, Lodge crew!

“Door County Now” paper ran this extensive article on Aug. 11th: http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110810/ADV05/108100703/After-Idol-Nyberg-brings-Fever-Door

Peninsula Pulse ran this the next day, Aug. 12th: http://www.ppulse.com/Articles-c-2011-08-11-98521.114136-Jana-Nybergs-Idol-Experience.html

A CD Release link: http://www.doorcountytoday.com/news/news-releases/jana-nyberg-group-fever-cd-release-tour-hits-door-county/

And Adam and I will be on Jazz 88 (88.5 fm KBEM Twin Cities) this Thursday night 8/18 at 7pm CST.

Also! Saturday morning, 8/20, the day of the CD Release at Hell’s Kitchen, I’ll be in studio with Larry Englund “Rhythm and Grooves” KFAI 90.3 and 106.7 FM Twin Cities. Thanks in advance, Larry!
And so we say, THANK YOU Twin Cities and Door County, for being oh-so-good to us in the JNG family!

We’re incredibly excited, literally bursting at the seams, to bring you this fresh music, and hope you can join us at the CD Release concert, and other shows coming up. Check in with us often at: www.janajazz.com

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! Here’s to fresh art! Keep it real, JNG peeps.

Much Love, Jana Banana

WI CD Release!

Hey everyone!

It’s been such a great summer so far! We just completed a mini Midwest tour and survived the heat with 6 outdoor shows in 6 days, including that epic heat wave in Illinois. (A double-header that day, 80 dew point and about  100° out!) It was fabulous to see many of you on the road. Now, we are gearing up for two CD releases. Our fan base in WI has been solid as a rock since the beginning, so we decided to hold a WI CD Release party even BEFORE our Mpls one. I know, you are just that special to us.

The concert will be held at the Martin Park Band Shell in Sturgeon Bay, Door County, WI. (See info card image with post.) If you haven’t been here before, this stage is brand new and BEAUTIFUL. Great sound, and a fabulous community to perform in.

Martin Park Band Shell, Sturgeon Bay, WI

Thursday, August 11th, 7-9p FREE!

If you’ll be in the area, we’d love to celebrate this  momentous occasion of our second full-length album, “Fever,” with you! As always, thanks for your support, you’re amazing people.

See you on the road!

Much love,

The Jana Nyberg Group

And so it begins…

Summer touring!

Yay. I seriously love hitt’in the road and meeting all kinds of fabulous people, not to mention playing our arses off. It is going to be sooooo fun to promote the new album, Fever! And it all starts tomorrow, July 19th. We play in Ephraim, WI (Door County) at the Fyr  Ball Festival (yes, Norwegian for “Fire,” but insert jokes here)  at noon at the gazebo across from Lake Michigan. Yes folks, Lake Michigan is our backdrop. Not too shabby, eh?

We have a soft spot in our hearts for Door County, as it is where our group took form 6 summers ago. We used to spend all summer up here, about 3 summers in a row, playing 4 regular gigs a week. And now, we always return with big smiles on our faces =) If it rains, we shall still play, but probably around 1p in the Village Hall just north of the gazebo- sure to be a classy time. I. LOVE. VILLAGE. HALLS. Seriously. Don’t know what it is. some kind of history, or charm, or SOMEthing. So, if you’re in the area, please stop by! We’d love to see you. And once again, thanks for helping us realize our “Fever” album dreams by making our Kickstarter funding SUCCESSFUL!

Please check our calendar link to see when we’ll be in a city near you, because it’s summer, and we be on the road babay!

www.janajazz.com/calendar

Love, Jana Banana

WE MADE IT!

Hey, best fans in the world! We reached our Kickstarter funding goal! Thank you kindly for all you do to fuel our musical ambitions and keep the passion alive. The dreams are com’in true, thanks to you! The CD Release Party is set for August 20th, 6p start time, at Hell’s Kitchen in the heart of Minneapolis. We hope to see you then!

Album funding VICTORIOUS!

THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! Truly, you’re the BEST.

The New Album and Kickstarter Campaign!

The new album is coming...brace yourselves

Hello faithful followers of the JNG,

My apologies for not posting in so long- it’s been a nutty finish of a school year for me! But the last day of teaching was yesterday, so, I’m BACK!

We are just wrapping up our Kickstarter fund-raising campaign efforts for the new album, “Fever,” set to release in August, and we haven’t yet reached our goal of $4,000,  but WE’RE CLOSE! We’re at $2,846, so about $1,000 left to raise. If we do not reach the goal, no funds will be processed or received. It’s all or noth’in, folks! If you want donate, there are super fun packages to purchase with crazy perks, and if you just want to pre-order the album, that totally helps too! Just go to:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/adammeckler/jana-nyberg-group-fever

THERE ARE ONLY 4 DAYS LEFT! We can do this, people! As always, thank you for your support, you are the best fans on the planet, AND in the universe.

We are so excited about this new album, and think you’ll love the new music. We have some Midwest summer touring coming up to promote “Fever”- check the website calendar to see when we’ll be near you!

http://www.janajazz.com/calendar

We’re excited about all of this momentum, and can’t wait to see you on the road!

Thanks for everything, you fabulous, fabulous fans. See you on the flip, Jana Banana =0)

FREE Album Preview Tracks!

Hey everyone!
The JNG is super pumped about our new album. We have it all laid down, and will release it this summer, 2011, accompanied by some touring. In the meantime, please go to www.janajazz.com and pick up your 2 free downloads! These are sneak-peek tracks from the new album, and we’re giving them to you because, well, we like you, and ’tis the season for giving, and such So, enjoy! The track titles are:
1. When We Swam
2. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself A Letter
(-I know, they could’ve shortened that, right?)

So, hop on over to janajazz.com and grab those tracks! Enjoy. We’ll keep you posted on the new album as it blossoms.
All Twin Cities folks/visiting peeps, come on over to the Honey Lounge in North East Minneapolis on Saturday, January 29th- we play from 7:30-10p and as always, there’s no cover. This performance features special guest and original group drummer, Jake Nyberg! He rocks, and YES, he’s my brother:) Don’t worry, the sibling rivalry is LOOOONNNNNGGG passed…I think. Right Jakey? Anyway, hope to see you out at this super hip venue where we’ll smack you in the ears with new music…gently, of course. Peace! -Jana Banana

Halloween and the JNG

You just never know what  sort of guise we’ll take on playing the Hell’s Kitchen brunch (downtown Mpls. 10th and Marquette) on Saturday, October 30th, Halloween weekend! From 10a-1p we shall play IN COSTUME, not to mention the servers don pj’s at every brunch. SO, this is a gig sure to entertain! Not to mention we’ll play some MUSIC, Including album preview originals, and some of our new favorites. YOU WEAR A COSTUME TOO! Be there.

The photo above is proof that the Mecklers DO Halloween- Bonnie and Clyde last year- and it became the Christmas card. This year? Well, you just have to come and see…

-Jana Banana