Jennifer Leigh Warren is a new friend of mine whom I met celebrating the 25th anniversary of Nana-Ama Danquah’s memoir, Willow Weep for Me. (Nana-Ama included an essay of mine in the anthology, The Black Body.) We started talking and laughing and I thought she’d be a great addition to our series. I asked her. And I’m so glad she said yes!
Her resume is rich with Broadway, touring and TV experience. For FFJN, she’s trying something new with just guitar accompaniment, from me. And we’ll duet on a couple things. It’s been so much fun seeing what we can do together.
Here’s her bio:
Jennifer Leigh Warren has been lauded for her theatrical work, from her show-stopping performance as “Alice’s Daughter” in the original Broadway cast of Big River (singing a song written for her by Roger Miller), to originating the role of “Crystal” in the Alan Menken/Howard Ashman Off-Broadway hit Little Shop of Horrors, to her performance in the original Broadway cast of Marie Christine at Lincoln Center. In the television musical event RENT: LIVE, she showcased her versatility as Mrs. Jefferson, Mrs. Cohen, Support Sue and the infamous bag lady. With the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, in the Disney Concert Hall, she performed as the narrator/vocalist in the “Rock my Soul” festival and performed her “Diamonds Are Forever: The Songs of Shirley Bassey” concert directed by Richard Jay Alexander in the Renberg Theater in Los Angeles. She starred as “The Blues Singer” in all four national tours of A Night with Janis Joplin (USA, Canada) streaming now on Broadway HD.com. For REPRISE! she was Lalume in Kismet, Cleo in The Most happy Fella and stopped the show as Shelia in Hair (with a vocal arrangement made for her by the great Peter Matz). On The Tonight Show, CONAN and Jimmy Kimmel, she performed with Broken Bells, The Kills, Trombone Shorty, Lisa Loeb and OK GO. In Japan, she re-created her Big River role (in Japanese) and in Denmark sang with Al Jarreau (televised LIVE throughout Europe). Film: Garry Marshall’s Valentine’s Day, The Other Sister and Dear God, Allison Anders & Martin Scorsese’s Grace of My Heart, Sean Penn’s The Crossing Guard, Larry David’s Sour Grapes. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and a proud SAG-AFTRA AEA member.
JASON LUCKETT
| Date | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Short Appearance / Guest Artist | ||
| Friday, 02/20/26 | Santa Monica | Highways Performance Space @ the 18th Street Arts Center |
| Time: 8:00pm. Admission: $25-65. Age restrictions: All Ages. Address: 1651 18th Street. Venue phone: (310) 315-1459. Related post. Buy Tickets More information | ||
| Jason Luckett Pasadena Residency: Second Saturdays Jazz Night+ | ||
| Thursday, 03/05/26 | Ojai, CA | Ojai Underground |
|
Time: 7:00pm.
Admission: $20–$25 live • $10 broadcast.
Age restrictions: All Ages.
Address: 616 Pearl St.
Venue phone: 805-340-7893.
Award-winning Bay Area journalist turned singer-songwriter Zoe FitzGerald Carter returns with her rich, honey-toned voice and vivid, literary songwriting. Touring her acclaimed album Before the Machine—inspired by memories of a pre-smartphone world—Zoe blends Americana, jazz, blues, and folk into songs that feel both intimate and timeless. The title track won first place in the Corpus Christi Songwriters Contest, with critics praising her voice for its “authority, experience, and character.” She’s joined by acclaimed musician and writer Jason Luckett, whose soulful sound draws from classic singer-songwriters, jazz, soul, and samba. With seven albums released and performances around the world—including SXSW and Glastonbury—Jason brings depth, warmth, and thoughtful storytelling to every stage. Zoe and Jason first met during an Aretha Franklin/Smokey Robinson tribute and have since shared stages across California and beyond, including an official FAR-West showcase. At Ojai Underground, each will perform a set of original songs, with Jason joining Zoe on harmonies and lead guitar. Expect a cozy, intimate evening of deeply human music—designed to slow time, open hearts, and offer a little refuge from the noise of the world. Expect a cozy, intimate evening of deeply human music—designed to slow time, open hearts, and offer a little refuge from the noise of the world.Expect a cozy, intimate evening of deeply human music—designed to slow time, open hearts, and offer a little refuge from the noise of the world. Related post. Buy Tickets |
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