BRENDAN STATOM
Double Bassist, Electric Bassist, Creator and Arranger of Music

Brendan Statom played a vital role in the music as Jennifer's bass player from 1993-2001. An extraordinary talent in a category of his own- Statom has passionately raged in numerous musical genres over the course of his music career. From his participation in the world/classical/gypsy/folk band, The Transylvanian Mountain Boys to his expression of hard core fusion and jazz- Statom is a multi-talented rarity and a loving musician of the highest order.

My Jennifer Experience
by Brendan Statom

I remember relaxing on my bed when I received the call that would so influence my life. At the other end was a voice, confident and secure, asking if I would be interested in playing with an original band. I had been desiring that very thing, so the timing was just right. And the type of band she described was not just a run of the mill garage band. Her emphasis was on integrity- playing music that meant something to us. Being a musician who has played a plethora of musical styles from classical to jazz, pop to country, bluegrass to European folk, you name it I've probably played it, I've always been of the opinion that good music is always about integrity. You put yourself into what you're doing and it shows. People respond. When you cross that barrier that separates the player of notes from the 'player of note', it's obvious to all even those who know nothing about music.

The classical player who has learned a concerto adds nothing to the music when his concentration is only on technical details. It is only when he becomes the music, that communication of the powerful emotions inherent in all music is brought forth. Technical details are important to learning, but must ultimately be transcended in order to express ones self.

In any case, Jennifer intrigued me so I went to rehearse with them. They were all much younger than I. I guess I'm what is called a 'late bloomer', so they thought I was ancient at 30. But the rehearsal was fun. As I said, it was something I wanted to do but I wasn't sure about how they liked me. So when I asked at the end if they wanted me to play with them, I got an enthusiastic 'yes!' The funny thing was that they thought they would have to pay me because I was a professional musician. Again, music that means something to you transcends money. I do stuff like that for my soul.

It was still a little too early to tell the extent of the talents involved, but I knew these people were into it and that meant everything to me. Eventually I'd see how extraordinary these people really were.

We rehearsed a lot and really polished things. And while we all contributed, the music was pretty much all Jennifer's. Of course, we all wrote our own parts, but it was all based on the unique and incredibly expressive writing that is all hers. And I loved it! It allowed me to play lines I longed to play. I mean, I love to thump out simple bass lines, but it's always great to have a chance to be lyrical. I think, in the end, our mix of styles helped create something truly unique and inspired, but as with many bands, we eventually broke up. However, Jennifer and I continued to play together, piano and bass. Grizelda was an electric band- our duo was all-acoustic.

I put down my electric and picked up my upright. It was from this kernel that the present sound of the music arose. A more lyrical approach to enhance the beautiful melodies and harmonies Jen writes. We started getting string players we knew to come play and record with us and lo and behold, our arrangements got thicker and richer. It wasn't easy. Jennifer has a great sense for preserving the important lines in the music. For me, to write string arrangements was a challenge. If it had elements that conflicted with her melodies, it had to be changed. And usually always rightly so even if I sometimes didn't like it. But good music should come before our egos. Plus she has the great instincts of a true musician. Stuff I see she inherited from her dad (studio musician, Tony Terran- a legend).

Her sultry sexy voice, (I loved the moment I heard it), she got from her Mom. The combination works like a charm. Her lack of formal training is a benefit in her case. Her unique musical instincts can then weave the intricate and mesmerizing musical web one hears. It's that natural thing that I try to preserve when I write my bass lines to her music. It's so important because it's the essence of what is true music. Too much technical data covers over the important lines.

Jen and I have covered some territory in our musical travels together. In the process honing our individual skills and supporting and respecting each other's uniqueness. It wasn't always easy, but the end result has made it all worth it. I've spent many nights looking over from behind my bass marveling at the power and expression of her voice- reveling in the beauty of an artist extending themselves, opening up that conduit to the soul and touching deeply everyone in the room. That's something that can only be seen live to appreciate. But the art of using a studio to create music is something she's been working on in the last few years and especially with this latest release. It's the end result of dissatisfaction with the limits of working in a studio and working with other people whose ideas don't necessarily let the music do its thing. Jen has good instincts when it comes to songwriting and it's nice to be able to express yourself without someone else meddling with what you intended.

So the latest recording is a more powerful expression of Jennifer's unique approach. A little more to the heart…reaching evermore to the core of what really matters on this earth. It's a never ending task really… a thankless task of hours, days, months, years of a life spent arduously working to increase the skills necessary to reach the depths of heart and soul in music... a task whose satisfaction lays mainly in the continual process of learning. So a true musician will always be growing... striving always for a goal that will always remain unreachable. Like a trek into the mountains where every pass climbed reveals a higher set of peaks to tackle beyond. It can get tiring but if you take the time to look around the scenery is amazing!

I know this to be true of Jennifer. Stay tuned as she brings you musical reflections from the far away peaks of the soul that will fill you with some incredible moods. (Brendan Statom 2000)

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