MP3 Jenna Drey - 'Just Like That' JennaRation
Danceable pop/rock is back. Jenna Drey, winning over 4 International Songwriting Contests this past year, combines the best of retro 80''s pop with modern funk. Imagine Madonna meets Maroon 5. Produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers and Kevin Churko.
13 MP3 Songs
POP: Today''s Top 40, ROCK: Modern Rock
Details:
Biography: Jenna Drey
"If you want to be a singer, then you better learn to write your own songs," as spoken by Jenna''s mom when Jenna was only 12 years old. It''s been an interesting journey for the pop singer/songwriter, Jenna Drey, whose first single is now being produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers and album by Kevin Churko. And working with these producers didn''t happen overnight either. Jenna remembers submitting demo tapes to Nile''s office as a teenager. To her dismay at the time, the response was "Give it up, girl. This is one of the worse tapes we''ve ever heard." Now Jenna can claim that she has won or placed in all four of the last International Songwriting Contests entered within the past year alone.
Jenna laughs about it today. "As a child, my desire always overshadowed my talent. But this desire is what makes me strive toward improving my craft as an artist and songwriter." Now, with over a 3-octave vocal range, singer/songwriter Jenna Drey soars over pop melodies with the sensual, yet silky voice which has been compared to only the greatest female singers. Her voice has the timeless beauty of a Karen Carpenter, but the strength and zest of a modern Pat Benetar, with the musical hooks of Madonna. Her music would be classified as Hot A/C, but many of her songs have been remixed into great dance songs too.
What also sets Jenna apart from other artists is a distinct musical style which incorporates great melodies, musical hooks, and excellent lyrics within a contemporary arrangement. And Jenna won all four internationally sponsored songwriting contests entered in the year 2003-2004, which confirms Jenna knows how to write a great song. Compared to having a slight retro-80''s flavor, Jenna really focuses on creating songs that are excellent, whether played on an acoustic piano, or with a live band. Jenna states, "If you listen to today''s radio stations, you''ll notice that most station''s song lists are predominately comprised of old hits of the 70''s, 80''s, and 90''s. This is because people still want to hear real songs with depth, and not something canned out of a box. When you buy an album today, it''s sad to say that so many songs sound exactly the same on a record. I''m trying to change that - To create music where each song has its own unique flavor."
Jenna is uplifting and entertaining as a performer. Her current show is choreographed and theatrical in nature, with four backup dancers. No, not as bouncy as Britney, but with a spunk and sassiness that will excite audiences of all ages.
From the early age of 8, Jenna, the daughter of actress Margaret Teele, desired to devote her vocation to music and voice. In 1995, she was accepted to enter and attend the New England Conservatory of Music during college, where she studied piano and music composition. During these years in Boston, Jenna played in local bands to gain performance experience. In the process, she met David Frangioni who was the staff engineer for Aerosmith at the time. Jenna began working with David Frangioni, and decided to part ways with her former manager after disagreements arose in the direction Jenna wanted to take with her music. Her former manager, Jeff Furst, was pushing Jenna to pursue becoming a contemporary country artist. Jenna wanted a career in pop.
She re-located to Miami, Florida in 1999 where she made an effort to establish herself as an artist in the local community. In Miami, she continued writing, have opportunities to co-write with the likes of Grammy winning producer Juan Zambrano and co-writer producer Kevin Churko (Shania Twain & Mutt Lange''s programmer and engineer). Jenna began posting songs on Broadjam in May 2003. There, her song "Why Should I Believe You" charted at #1 on the pop charts. In Nov 2003, Jenna won Grand Prize for best song in the 2003 Dallas Songwriters Association / Gibson Guitar national contest. On 11/25/03, it was announced she also placed as a top 10 finalist in the most prestigious USA Songwriting Competition, competing against more than 30,000 entries worldwide and against top songwriters.
Then in Dec 2003, Jenna submitted her work through TAXI which was forwarded to Emanon Records, and strong Indie label. Then in Jan 2004, Jenna also won first place in the January VH-1 sponsored "Song of the Year" contest. Jenna had won all four song-writing contests entered, better yet, each contest won with a different song. These wins only helped to seal a recording contract which was signed in March 2004. Her second single is scheduled for release in Nov 2004, which is being produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers.