By Danny Coleman
originally published: 08/27/2020
"I'm safe, I'm COVID free, it's a sunny day in Minneapolis and nothing has gone wrong today; I'm good," said a laughing Jonatha Brooke as she began discussing her latest effort entitled "The Sweetwater Sessions," her one-woman play, living in Minnesota and more.
Originally from the east coast, Brooke has bounced around the country on an artistic sojourn; searching for the right combination of venues, writers, collaborators and others to enhance her body of work. A body which includes more than just music; so, why Minneapolis?
"I am a Boston girl, I wound up here by way of Los Angeles and New York," she explained, "We covered both coasts pretty thoroughly and figured; why not try the middle? Minneapolis is an awesome city despite its recent troubles; it is a pretty great town. My husband grew up here so I wasn't afraid; I had been here quite a bit and had fallen in love with it. We were burnt out on New York and decided to have an adventure in a new place."
"Minneapolis is the best kept musical secret. There's so much good music going on here; Prince is from Minneapolis and he chose to stay here so that's a pretty good vote of confidence. There's a bunch of amazing musicians here, there's a really cool indie music scene with a lot of little coffee houses tucked into different neighborhoods and just a lot going on. There is a lot going on in the theater world too; I've been working on two musicals lately which is something I've been wanting to do a lot more of; it just feels like a really nurturing place to be creative."
When you're a touring musician or one in search of new audiences in an attempt to expand a fan base; it is often tough stepping outside of one's comfort zone and arriving in a new place or town can be either a blessing or a curse. Brooke says she could not be happier with this stop on the journey.
"It has been awesome actually; I have been completely embraced," she elaborated with sincerity. "When I moved to town, I was able to get a residency at this beautiful club downtown called The Dakota, I was able to bring my one-woman off-Broadway show to a small theater called The Jungle; I did a month's run there. Amazing musicians have embraced me, I got a grant from The McKnight Foundation which is one of the many great art foundations here that supports artists of all walks; visual artists, musical artists; it's a really artsy city and I'm very lucky to have found it and been embraced by it. I think they try and keep it a secret because they don't want too many people honing in on it (laughs)."
Success is measured in a multitude of ways and is often based on perspective; be it one's own or the masses but a key ingredient in success is tenacity. Brooke has been artistically multi-tasking and "The Sweetwater Sessions" is her most recent focus and example of her tenacity in the music industry
"I think it's album number 13 or 14 but who's counting," she said once again with a laugh. "The Sweetwater Sessions" grew out of a recording workshop I did in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the beautiful amazing studios of Sweetwater Sound. You may have heard of Sweetwater Sound; it's basically the Amazon of gear, of musical gear. They have guitars and tech gear and all sorts of stuff there but they also have this amazing world class studio where they do workshops for all sorts of stuff and I was lucky enough to do a recording workshop there and I decided as long as I was doing these amazing recordings; why not bring in my guitar player and make a record while I'm there so people can witness what it's like to go for a live vibe in the studio and see how it goes down? So, I got some amazing tracks out of it and that's how it happened."
"There are 11 tracks; one cover song which is The Beatles "Hide Your Love Away" and 10 from my very long and varied career (laughs). Sean Driscoll my guitar player and I did a really cool arrangement of it for a benefit at City Winery a few years ago and we were like, wow, this is cool, let's bring this one back; so, we put it on the record because it kind of rocks."
So, once again, the problem during these trying times is; how do artists get their products out there without gigs, concerts or physical contact with supporters? Brooke has been "Cooking" something up that has been well consumed internationally.
"Yeah that's the real clincher; I'm doing concerts from my kitchen every Monday at 2 p.m. central. So, that's a way without leaving home to have a world tour going on because people are tuning in from all over; Australia, Germany, France, the Philippines, Denmark, it's kind of exciting in a strange way. The pandemic has brought us closer in some ways; it brought the fans to me because I can't get to them and I've got these amazing supporters who are listening every week. We call it, "Contributing ticket price" to get into the show as it were and it's helping to sustain my life because I don't get unemployment. You can find these "Kitchen Covid Concerts" on my website, YouTube or Facebook and we are going to keep them up there so people can revisit all of them."
Fortunately for Brooke, she has other avenues to pursue that stoke her creative fires; one of which is the aforementioned one-woman play but she's also working on two more plays that she readily admits have her creative juices flowing.
"I'm doing mostly music right now but the play is something that I can pull out of my hat quickly. It is a very ergonomic one-woman piece; I tour with my cello player and my guitar player. I have done it around the country in Philly and Cleveland, now Minneapolis and in Arkansas so it is something that I'm still pursuing but for now it is a little bit on the back burner while I do this "Sweetwater Sessions" thing and also while I stay home because no one is going anywhere (laughs). The play is called, "My Mother Has Four Noses" and it's basically a 10-song love story about me and my mother and how I cared for her over the last two years of her life. So, it's comic, it's tragic and all of those things rolled into a story that I tell and then I weave songs in and out of my storytelling; it's pretty cool."
"There's a lot of music in the pipeline, I'm working on two different musicals with two amazing playwrights, one is called "Switched" which is about two women who are switched at birth and another one; the working title is "Tempest" which is about a female explorer back in the 1930's who gets lost in the ice and then revived later. That's really exciting; it's a little bit sci-fi and a little bit feminist and it's super exciting to explore this character and write her songs, sing in her voice; it's a challenge, it's a lot of stuff."
"Revived?" Like survival it's what every musician or artist hopes they do in their careers with every new product or release but in today's COVID climate it's not as easy; if it ever actually was such. True to form, Brook's tenacity continues to play a part in her day to day existence and her work ethic continues to uplift her daily.
"I think we're all kind of scrambling. We're trying to be optimistic but it feels like it might be another year before we can all get safely back out there. I'm teaching online now too; I have master classes that I'm teaching through Zoom and you just piece it all together week to week and hope you can keep going. Like I said, today was a good day; nothing went wrong (laughs)."
To discover more about Jonatha Brooke, please go to www.jonathabrooke.com.
That's it for this week! Please continue to support live and original music and until next week....ROCK ON!
This week's event listings
Arts Council of Princeton 102 Witherspoon Street Princeton
(609) 924-8777
Fri. 6 p.m. "Story & Verse: A Storytelling & Poetic Open Mic. (Held outdoor at Pettoranello Gardens located on Mountain Avenue)
Broken Goblet Brewing 2500 State Road Bensalem, PA
(267) 812-5653
Thurs. 8 p.m. Mike Estabrook
Candlelight Lounge 24 Passaic Street Trenton
(609) 695-9612
Thurs. 6 p.m. Thursday Night Blues Jam Hosted by The Mojo Gypsies. $5 (Includes hot buffet)
Sat. 3 p.m. (TBA) $10 (cover charge/$10 Minimum includes buffet)
Clubhouse at Mountain View 850 Bear Tavern Road Ewing
(609) 771-0400
Fri. 6 p.m. Jerry Monk & Joe Kramer
COARadio.com 125 South Main Street Hightstown
(609) 241-7103
Sun. 7 p.m. "Rock On Radio" feat. Melody Federer / Donna, Peter, and Steve from "Rock 2 Adopt"
Cooper's Riverview 50 Riverview Plaza Trenton
(609) 393-7300
Thurs. 7 p.m. Honey Spot Blvd
Fri. 7 p.m. No Way Out
Sat. 7 p.m. "Social Saturdays" feat. Asylum Choir
Mon. 7 p.m. "Sunny Monday Blues Jam"
Tues. 8 p.m. Karaoke w/ Karen and Mark
All Events Ages 21+
Dog & Bull Brew House 810 Bristol Pike (Rte. 13) Croydon, PA.
(215) 788-2855
Fri. 6 p.m. Ed from Nothing But A Nightmare
Sat. 4 p.m. Snapdragon
Sun. 4 p.m. Try Check
Hamilton Tap & Grill 557 US Route 130 North Hamilton
(609) 905-0925
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia
Wed. 7 p.m. Country Night. $5
Hopewell Valley Vineyards 46 Yard Avenue Pennington
(609) 737-4465
Thurs. 6 p.m. Mark Feingold Group
Fri. 6 p.m. "Music & Merlot" feat. Deb & Mike
Sat. (1 p.m.) Modern Rewind (6 p.m.) "Music & Merlot" feat. Catmoondaddy
Sun. 3 p.m. "Jazzy Sundays" feat. Hopewell Valley Vineyards Jazz Ensemble
Iron Plow Vineyards 26750 Mount Pleasant Road Columbus
(732) 306-9111
Fri. 7 p.m. Wayne Palmer
Sat. 1 p.m. AudioPilot
Sun. 1 p.m. Bob & Dave
Killarney's Publick House 1644 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 586-1166
Fri. 6 p.m. Mario DiBartolo & Frank Clayton
Laurita Winery 85 Archertown Road New Egypt
(609) 752-0200
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Cornhole Tournament"
Fri. 6 p.m. "Sounds of Summer Series: Music on the Lawn" feat. The Bergers. $15 (advance)
Sun. 4:30 p.m. Polish Nannies
Odd Logic Brewing Co.500 Bristol Pike, Bristol, PA
Sun. 3 p.m. Joe & Krista
Old Town Pub 135 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 291-9232
Thurs. 8 p.m. Quizzoholics Trivia
Patriots Crossing 1339 River Road Titusville
(609) 737-2780
Thurs. 8 p.m. Open Mic Night
Wed. 7 p.m. "Quizzo"
Revere Restaurant802 River Road Ewing
(609) 882-6365
Fri. 9 p.m. Danny Lynch Project
Rossi's Bar & Grill 2110 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road Hamilton
(609) 890-2004
Thurs. 6 p.m. Ernie White
Sparky World Famous Beer Garden4333 New Falls Road Levittown, PA
(215) 943-2321
Thurs. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Mon. 9 p.m. Game Night w/ Kid Dalton
Temperance House 5 South State Street Newtown, PA
(215) 944-8050
Thurs. 7p.m. "Blues Night" w/ Steve Guyger
Tues. 8 p.m. Trivia w/ Righteous Jolly (outdoors)
Wed. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Cara Cartney
Terhune Orchards 330 Cold Soil Road Princeton
(609) 924-2310
Fri. 5 p.m. "Sips & Sounds Friday" feat. Bill O'Neal & Andy Koonz
Sat. 1 p.m. Roundabout
Sun.1 p.m. "Sunday Music Series" feat. Jerry Steele
The Bog (Cranbury Golf Club)
49 Southfield Road West Windsor
(609) 799-0341
Sat. 7 p.m. Dave Stefanic & Kyle Ward
The Cool Cricket 216 Burlington Street Fieldsboro
(609) 291-9110
Fri. 9 p.m. Karaoke
Sat. 4:30 p.m. Drunken Clams
The Cure Insurance Center 81 Hamilton Ave. Trenton
(609) 656-3200
Check website for upcoming events
The Ivy Inn 248 Nassau Street Princeton
(609) 921-8555
Thurs. 10 p.m. Karaoke w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Tues. 8 p.m. Quizzo w/ Bob E Luv
Wed. 10 p.m. Total Request w/ DJ Rockin' Ron
Tindall Road Brewing Co.102 Farnsworth Avenue Bordentown
(609) 526-8651
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Thirsty Thursdays" (7 p.m.) Top 5 Trivia
Fri. 6 p.m. Recklesstown
Sat. 5:30 p.m. Tiltin Catz
Tir Na Nog 1324 Hamilton Avenue Trenton
(609) 392-2554
Wed. 7 p.m. Monk & Monk
All Shows 21+
Train Wreck Distillery25 Madison Avenue Mount Holly
(609) 288-6300
Fri. 8 p.m. Al Snyder
Trenton Social 449 South Broad Street Trenton
(609) 989-7777
Thurs. 5 p.m. "Happy Hour Throwback Thursday" w/ Jay Kountree
Fri. 5 p.m. DJ ItsJustAhmad
Mon. 8 p.m. "Monday Night Karaoke" Hosted by Sweets
Tues. 7 p.m. Open Mic Night w/ Kyle & Mike
Triumph Brewing Company (New Hope, Pa. Location)
400 Union Square New Hope, Pa.
(215) 862-8300
Sun. 7 p.m. Open Stage
All shows 21+
VFW Post 352577 Christine Avenue Hamilton
(609) 890-9809
Fri. 6 p.m. Joe Hutchinson
Village Idiot Brewing Company42 High Street Mount Holly
(609) 975-9270
Sun. 1 p.m. Open Mic
Working Dog Winery 610 Windsor Perrineville Road Hightstown
(609) 371-6000
Sat. 1 p.m. Rob Messina
Sun. 2 p.m. Deb & Mike
WWFM 89.1 FM HD2 RadioMCCC Old Trenton Road West Windsor
Jazzon2.org
Mon. 7 p.m. "Danny Coleman's Got The Blues"
Danny Coleman is a veteran musician and writer from central New Jersey. He hosts a weekly radio program entitled 'Rock On Radio' airing Sunday evenings at 7:00pm EST on ThePenguinRocks.com where he features indie/original bands and solo artists.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Berlin Under A presents "Roots Rock Women" on April 16th
(NEW YORK, NY) -- Berlin Under A presents "Roots Rock Women" on Thursday, April 16, 2026 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The lineup includes Debra Devi, Faith NYC, Stephanie Marie & The Double-Knit Players. Doors are at 5:30pm.
The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Susan Werner
(TUCKERTON, NJ) -- The Lizzie Rose Music Room presents Susan Werner on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 7:30pm. Over the course of her twenty five year career, Susan Werner has earned a reputation as "one of the most innovative songwriters working today" (Chicago Tribune).
State Theatre New Jersey presents The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- State Theatre New Jersey presents The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 7:30pm. This is the ultimate ABBA tribute, touring through North America for the past 20 years. The audience and the press all agree that "This is the closest to ABBA you'll ever get!"
Bergen Institute for the Creative Arts at Bergen Community College presents Back to Bergen on April 16th
(PARAMUS, NJ) -- The Bergen Institute for the Creative Arts at Bergen Community College presents Back to Bergen, a new live music concert series featuring none other than the college's own music program graduates performing original music and classics. Held Thursday, April 16, 2026 at the college's Ciccone Theater, the inaugural installment will showcase the program's success at producing top notch musicians across a variety of genres from classical and jazz to R&B, pop and rock.
WilloLand Duo performs on April 16 as part of Westminster Conservatory Noontime Series
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- On Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 12:15pm, Westminster Conservatory at Nassau will present the WilloLand Duo. The performers, Kevin Willois, flute and Patricia Tupta Landy, piano, are members of the teaching faculty of Westminster Conservatory. The recital will take place in the Niles Chapel of Nassau Presbyterian Church (61 Nassau Street) in Princeton. It is open to the public free of charge.
MPAC presents Patti LaBelle on April 17th
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Legendary vocalist Patti LaBelle comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. Beautiful, simply does not describe the incomparable force known to the world as Patti LaBelle. Through the years, the songbird's name has become synonymous with grace, style, and class.
Killer Queen to Perform at Scottish Rite Auditorium
(COLLINGSWOOD, NJ) -- Killer Queen, the award-winning UK-based Queen Tribute featuring the incredible Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury, will perform at the Scottish Rite Auditorium on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. The group's ambitious twelve-week 2026 US Tour runs from April 16 to October 23.
Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Melissa Etheridge: RISE TOUR
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Count Basie Center for the Arts presents Melissa Etheridge: RISE TOUR on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:00pm. Known for her confessional lyrics and raspy, smoky vocals, Etheridge has remained one of America's favorite female singers for more than two decades. A limited number of tickets remain for the show.
The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Simple Gifts on April 17th
(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Princeton Folk Music Society presents Simple Gifts on Friday, April 17, 2026 at Christ Congregation Church. Two women plus ten instruments equal one good time when the award-winning duo of Linda Littleton and Karen Hirshon take the stage. Showtime is 8:00pm.
Remember Jones to present 50th Anniversary Celebration of Stevie Wonder's "Songs in the Key of Life"
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Remember Jones will present a 50th Anniversary Celebration of Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life - a one night only theatrical event featuring the ENTIRE album and MORE Stevie Wonder hits with a full expanded band, Count Basie Center Gospel Choir, and Very Special Guests on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Count Basie Center for the Arts.
