Karli IngersollJenny Anne Mannan is a local singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist by way of Nashville, TN. She grew up in a family bluegrass band touring the country, went on to live in Nashville rubbing shoulders will some of the greatest americana musicians alive and landed back in Eastern WA several years ago with her husband and 4 kids.
Jenny Anne’s presence immediately had an impact on Spokane’s music scene. I met her for the first time at The Bartlett’s open mic where we brainstormed what would become Northwest of Nashville…a monthly americana variety show hosted by Jenny Anne herself. She has been able to connect genres covering folk, country, bluegrass, old time and indie music under one roof on a monthly basis. Endless collaborating has evolved leading Jenny Anne to her own backing band, a mix of indie, rock and country musicians rolled into one amazing group. Justin Landis (Marshall Mclean Band, Mama Doll, Cedar & Boyer), Scott Ryan (Super Sparkle, Water Monster and of course his own solo project), AJ Ramirez (a new, wonderful multi-instrumentalist transplant to Spokane from Alaska), Jamie Frost (Fun Ladies, Marshall Mclean Band, Silver Treason, The Makers, etc, etc), and Mellad Abide (Sara Brown Band, Funky Unkle…so many others I don’t even know).
“The melodies are timeless and Jenny Anne’s musicianship is only rivaled by her exquisite songwriting.”
With this outstanding crew plus a few special guests, Jenny Anne recorded her sophomore full length album earlier this year. It’s a colorful tapestry of very personal songs. Songs about growing up in a family band, songs about having a family, a marriage and songs about being a woman in the music world. Even a song about one time ending up in jail. This album is full of rich story telling and a deep passion for music. The melodies are timeless and Jenny Anne’s musicianship is only rivaled by her exquisite songwriting. She plays banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin and of course sings on the record.
The album Carnies and Cowboys is out now with a big celebration this coming Friday, September 13th at The Bing Crosby Theater. It just so happens that Sara and Sean Watkins, founding members of Nickel Creek will be joining the bill to help celebrate this triumphant record.
