Music
Press
For Each New Day consists of 12 tracks of fiddle tunes exquisitely played. It is more traditional than Wings both in the choice of tunes and arrangements. It showcases Jennifer's remarkably gift for interpreting traditional tunes in a way that makes them extraordinarily lively and engaging. Jennifer's technical skills as a fiddler are clearly evident here, but what makes this album special is the feeling she gives to each set of tunes and the lift and joy in her music. This CD is wonderful listening, or great to dance to.
The quality of this album is so consistently high; it is hard to pick a favorite set of tunes. I have to say my favorite is Jennifer's absolute superb version of challenging march Johnny Cope. Even beyond the lovely playing on the other tracks, Jennifer's command of this piece and the spectacular feeling she infuses into it, would anyone sit up and take notice. Jennifer has been in the top rank of Cape Breton fiddlers for at least a decade, and this album will hopefully bring her all the recognition and fans that she so richly deserves. Thanks, Jennifer giving us such a terrific CD!
- Jim Scarff, sfcelticmusic.com
When listening to Jennifer Roland's latest album, For Each New Day, I can hear the influence of the eastern side of Cape Breton Island in her playing. It has a bit of an Irish sound and does not have the "dirty" sound that one can hear on the western side. Like her other albums, this one also portrays a variety of other styles because of the instruments that Jennifer surrounds herself with.
Track five, "Master Crowley's," has a rock sound because it is heavy on the bass (played by Allie Bennett), drums (Brian Talbot) and Rhodes and keys (Ryan MacNeil of the Celtic-rock band, Slainte Mhath). Track six, "Alyssa Crystal Dawn's Waltz," has a very southern American sound because it includes Dobro (Dough Proctor) and mandolin (Bennett).
While these sounds are interesting, my favorite tracks are those that portray a typical Cape Breton sound and use very basic instrumentation. Track 4, the "Editor's Favorite," is an excellent example of this. It is simply fiddle and piano, which allows the listener to really hear the strathspeys and reels because there isn't too much going on around them. This track is also the perfect tempo. It shows that tunes don't need to be played at warp speed to grasp the ear.
"Johnny Cope" is another great example. It does have a bit of bass and there are pipes on the end of the set, but overall, it sounds very simple. It is my favorite track on the album.
Jennifer is excellent at playing slow tunes as well. My favorite of these is "Sadie's Waltz," which Jennifer composed for her mother. Another beautiful tune that she wrote is "This Flower I Pick for You," which is dedicated to the Parkinson's Society of Canada, for which Jennifer is the musical ambassador. The tune was written in memory of her late father, who recently lost his battle with the disease. It has a beautiful melody, but again, I think this melody would stand out better if it had a little less accompaniment.
Overall, this album has a great variety of tunes and a lot of energy. The last track, "The Accents Set," sums it up really well and makes me long to see Jennifer at the Festival Club at the Celtic Colours festival, again!
- by Kaitlin Hahn
Discography
Dedication 1997
Wings 2000
For Each New Day 2006
Photos
Bio
Born in the tiny fishing community of Alder Point, Cape Breton, JENNIFER is the youngest of ten children. Like many children born on Cape Breton Island, music surrounded her from the moment she was born. Her father played fiddle, and the family always enjoyed the kitchen parties and ceilidhs. By the age of three, JENNIFER was playing the piano by ear. At six, she began taking dance lessons as well as several years of classical piano. At nine, JENNIFER began studying the fiddle with Kyle MacNeil of the world renowned Barra MacNeils.
In 1997, at barely 18 years of age, with the release of her debut album, "DEDICATION", Jen began her journey into a full time career travelling the world. Her first CD, lovingly conceived and beautifully written and performed, allowed JENNIFER to spread her unique talents far beyond the Cape Breton shoreline. In 2000 came the release of her sophmore album "Wings" which received rave reviews world wide for both it's musicianship and impressive production and earned Jen an East Coast Music Award Nomination in 2001. Jennifer has an immeasurable amount of energy and stage presence and the rollercoaster of emotions through which she takes her audiences is outstanding . One minute, crowds are pounding their feet with excitement with her enthusiastic and energetic style. Moments later, an audience is be moved to tears listening to the delicate touch of her haunting slow airs. ROLAND developed an avid following after performances at Disney World in Florida, in Longs Peak, Colorado, much of New England and throughout the US including Texas, Minnasota, Alabama, Atlanta, as well as throughout Europe and of course, Canada. Her mastery of the fiddle combined with her dynamic step dancing and creative choreography and compositions make a JENNIFER ROLAND concert a must see experience.
Besides her busy schedule as a performer, Jennifer devotes a lot of her time supporting many charitable and humanist organizations in aid of autism, Cancer Society, Transition House, Aids coalition, and many more. Jen is also the musical ambassador/spokesperson for the Parkinson Society Canada. Jennifer also owns and directs her music school, Jennifer Roland School of Music and Dance.
Jennifer's new album titled "For Each New Day" which promises to be filled with excitment, showcasing a variety of tunes both new and old including Jennifer's compositions. The third album to her credit, this CD is dedicated to her parents and the awareness of Parkinson's Disease.
This young lady is a must see class act who always gives an outstanding performance.
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