By Gary Wien
originally published: 06/01/2004
Jen Elliott may not want to be called a diva, but her voice is definitely diva-worthy. She's coming to Triumph Brewery in Princeton on July 2nd with her band and she's intent on proving that she's a rocker - not a diva.
"Divas scare me!" said Elliott. "I guess it's not quite clear yet. I can tell you that what I want to do is probably going to lean more towards rock and roll. I'm not ruling out diva, but what I want to do is play music, and get some real feeling in the music. I think that's what people really respond to. That's where I want to take it."
She was raised in Jacksonville, Florida and moved to New York City, as so many do, to pursue her dreams. After working as a geologist and a headhunter for a plastics company, she now bartends and works in a guitar school to help pay the rent.
Since releasing her first record, The Secret's Out, she's been playing clubs throughout the New York / New Jersey area. This will be her first time playing at Triumph Brewery.
Jen's music runs through a range of rock and roll, blues, pop, soul and a little funk. She admits, it can be a little difficult to categorize.
"You have to keep it simple or people don't know where to put you," explained Elliott. "We normally say a mixture of rock, blues and pop. If they need an artist to compare to, my answer sometimes is a cross between Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt with a little bit of the Rolling Stones thrown in."
Chances are you won't hear much of the Stones' influence on the first record, but Jen says that the band has definitely moved more in that direction. The band, which was originally formed to record the record, has now been together for a while and has established its own identity. In doing so, the live shows have become more bluesy and rock out more.
Elliott's strong vocals may be attributed to her gospel background. ?Her first introduction to music was through church - Southern Baptist style - far away from the rock and roll world.
After graduating college, Jen decided to take her chance on stage at an open mic night in Jacksonville.
"I hadn't really had the rock and roll thing going on at all," said Elliott. "I've always been a performer type person, but it was definitely not on the rock and roll or live music side. It was more like musical theatre or the Church choir.
"I had always written stuff on my own and finally one day I had to sing it. I don't know why. But I started signing at open mic nights and I was terrified! I remember I brought one of my closest friends with me - didn't even tell anyone else - so I'd have someone there to console me if it really sucked!"
That first night, Jen sang a capella and was surprised by the reaction from the crowd. Instead of sucking, as she feared, the crowd actually liked it.
"I started doing it more and more and got a great response," added Elliott. "I realized that if I didn't pursue what I really loved, I would be selling myself short."
She moved to Manhattan and managed to get some early recordings into the hands of Trebor Lloyd, head of the independent record label City Canyons. He agreed to work on a three song demo project with her. The positive reaction from the demo and shows around New York City led to the recording of The Secret's Out.
The first thing that grabs you about the debut CD is the opening track, "Move." This shows off Jen's voice in a soulful, funky beat. It's the type of song that is truly different from anything you've ever heard before.
Other highlights from the disc include "Why Can't This Be A Love Song?", "Empty Eyes", "I Can't Concentrate", "Love Crazy", and "The Secret's Out".
According to Elliott, as well received as the songs on her CD have been, the newer songs are getting an even stronger response. And the older songs have also changed somewhat as the band has tried different things along the way.
"The music is fun and we have a great time," said Elliott. "It's all about the rock and roll. I think the new stuff is a little edgier than the record, but it still has that blues rock and roll feel."
Jen Elliott will be at the Triumph Brewery in Princeton on Friday, July 2nd. The Secret's Out is available at her shows or online from places like Tower Records, Audio?Lunchbox or CDbaby at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dreamspinner
About the author:
Gary Wien has been covering the arts since 2001 and has had work published with Jersey Arts, Upstage Magazine, Elmore Magazine, Princeton Magazine, Backstreets and other publications. He is a three-time winner of the Asbury Music Award for Top Music Journalist and the author of
Beyond the Palace (the first book on the history of rock and roll in Asbury Park) and
Are You Listening? The Top 100 Albums of 2001-2010 by New Jersey Artists. In addition, he runs New Jersey Stage and the online radio station
The Penguin Rocks. His personal website is at
lightyscorner.com. He can be contacted at
[email protected].
EVENT PREVIEWS
Essex County Summer Players Orchestra present "Made in America" on August 2nd
(LIVINGSTON, NJ) -- As local residents and friends stroll, bike or jog around the Livingston Oval on Tuesday evenings this July, musicians from several community orchestras are gathering in the township's high school band room to celebrate works "Made in America."
HOT 97's Summer Jam 2026 to Take Place July 24th at Prudential Center
(NEWARK, NJ) -- HOT 97, New York's #1 station for Hip Hop, is once again bringing the culture's biggest night back to the tri-state area with Summer Jam 2026, on Friday, July 24, 2026, at Prudential Center in Newark. Produced by The Black Promoters Collective, Summer Jam continues its legacy as the most iconic Hip Hop concert in the world.
Strand Center for the Arts presents Lover Taylor - Tribute to Taylor Swift on Friday
(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- Swifties of all ages are invited to sing, dance and celebrate the music of one of pop's biggest superstars when Lover Taylor – Tribute to Taylor Swift comes to the Strand Center for the Arts on Friday, July 24, 2026 at 8:00pm.
Grammy-Winning Superstars Erica Campbell and Jonathan McReynolds to Headline 2026 Gospel Music Festival
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Middlesex County, as part of its FolkLIVE free community event series, will host its third annual Gospel Music Festival in New Brunswick (2 Livingston Ave) on Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 3:30pm to 7:30pm. This year's star-studded lineup features multi-Grammy-winning performer Erica Campbell—known both for her solo work and as part of the dynamic "Mary Mary" duo—and Billboard chart-topper Jonathan McReynolds as the headliners.
Mahwah Museum Hosts "Unlock the Fretboard" Guitar Workshop with Mark Sganga on July 25th
(MAHWAH, NJ) -- Guitar players of all levels are invited to "Unlock the Fretboard," a hands-on guitar workshop taking place on Saturday, July 25, from 11:00am to 2:00pm, with a short break included, at The Mahwah Museum. The workshop will be taught by Mark Sganga, an International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion, bringing expert instruction and high-level musicianship to this special event. Designed to help players better understand the fretboard through a system of caged chords and scales, the workshop offers practical strategies that participants can apply immediately in their playing.
The 2026 Sourland Mountain Fest to Take Place July 25th
(RINGOES, NJ) -- The Sourland Mountain Fest is back for its 21st year on Saturday, July 25, 2026. It promises a summer afternoon of soulful talent, tasty bites, refreshing drinks and meaningful dialogue on why the Sourland Region is so important to Central Jersey, and why it's more important than ever to protect it. Performers include Gravity Hill, The Swiss Guard, Hickory, Jake Thistle, and headliners The Harrisons and Company.
Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 8:00pm in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.
interACT Theatre Productions presents interACT Sings: Around the World
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents interACT Sings: Around the World on July 24-25, 2026 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts. This is a first-class musical journey to benefit the theatre company's 2026-27 season. A cocktail hour takes place at 6:30pm; showtime is 7:30pm.
"The Boardwalk Sessions" Aims to Change How Independent Artists are Supported at the Jersey Shore
(TINTON FALLS, NJ) -- Loudly Inclusive Media Collective will present The Boardwalk Sessions, a free, two-night live music showcase on Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 5:00pm–10:00pm at Twin Lights Brewing in Tinton Falls. More than just a concert series, The Boardwalk Sessions was created to celebrate original music while demonstrating a different model for supporting independent artists: one built on fair compensation, authentic community, and meaningful opportunities to connect with audiences.
Centenary Stage Company presents FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin on July 25th
(HACKETTSTOWN, NJ) -- Centenary Stage Company's Summerfest 2026 continues with an electrifying evening of classic rock as FOUR STICKS: The Music of Led Zeppelin takes the stage on Saturday, July 25 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center. Showtime is 8:00pm.
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