Jana and the Bailout Boys

Wanderlust: The Ryan and Jana Story

Vocalist Jana Debusk and multi-instrumentalist Ryan McCurdy met last year as teaching artists in training for a children’s music event led by Music Adventures guru Brian Barrentine. The program, which still goes on to this day, was called Funikijam.

“You bond very, very quickly,” says Ryan of their meeting, “when you’re faced with the possibility of teaching hundreds of rambunctious children together.”

What started as a bond amongst chaos, however, quickly cohered into something mellifluous. Ryan and Jana found a connection through their shared sense of everyday inspiration, and their mutual ability to find poetry where others don’t.

“We’re examiners,” says Jana. “We look closely into situations, analyze them with our whole hearts, and base decisions on feelings whenever possible.”

This summer, the two will be going on their first tour together, under the banner of Ryan and Jana: The Wanderlust Tour. Wanderlust, the German loanword describing one’s innate desire to travel, seems to encapsulate one of the driving factors behind Ryan and Jana’s work.

There’s Jana the world traveler, who has wandered through nearly a dozen countries, often carrying little more than a backpack. Her first composition was written on a plane coming back from a trip throughout Western Europe. She has the word ‘wanderlust’ tattooed on her arm.

Ryan, a jazz pianist by nature, draws from a more abstract form of wanderlust.

“If Jana’s songs are an eyewitness account of travel,” Ryan says, “mine are dreams of travel.” He continues, “Jazz as a medium is antsy, nomadic–eternally searching.”

Before they leave for the Wanderlust Tour, Ryan and Jana will be previewing their material on Friday, April 19, right here at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. The event will feature a slew of special guests, including members of Jana’s band, Jana and the Bailout Boys, and original compositions by both Ryan and Jana.

“This isn’t your normal singer/songwriter performance,” says Jana of the upcoming concert. “There will be a little more rock, a little more soul.”

The free concert is a great chance to get to know two inspired musicians and teachers. If you come with an open mind, you may be inspired to do a little wandering of your own.
- Brooklyn Conservatory

Wanderlust: The Ryan and Jana Story

Vocalist Jana Debusk and multi-instrumentalist Ryan McCurdy met last year as teaching artists in training for a children’s music event led by Music Adventures guru Brian Barrentine. The program, which still goes on to this day, was called Funikijam.

“You bond very, very quickly,” says Ryan of their meeting, “when you’re faced with the possibility of teaching hundreds of rambunctious children together.”

What started as a bond amongst chaos, however, quickly cohered into something mellifluous. Ryan and Jana found a connection through their shared sense of everyday inspiration, and their mutual ability to find poetry where others don’t.

“We’re examiners,” says Jana. “We look closely into situations, analyze them with our whole hearts, and base decisions on feelings whenever possible.”

This summer, the two will be going on their first tour together, under the banner of Ryan and Jana: The Wanderlust Tour. Wanderlust, the German loanword describing one’s innate desire to travel, seems to encapsulate one of the driving factors behind Ryan and Jana’s work.

There’s Jana the world traveler, who has wandered through nearly a dozen countries, often carrying little more than a backpack. Her first composition was written on a plane coming back from a trip throughout Western Europe. She has the word ‘wanderlust’ tattooed on her arm.

Ryan, a jazz pianist by nature, draws from a more abstract form of wanderlust.

“If Jana’s songs are an eyewitness account of travel,” Ryan says, “mine are dreams of travel.” He continues, “Jazz as a medium is antsy, nomadic–eternally searching.”

Before they leave for the Wanderlust Tour, Ryan and Jana will be previewing their material on Friday, April 19, right here at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. The event will feature a slew of special guests, including members of Jana’s band, Jana and the Bailout Boys, and original compositions by both Ryan and Jana.

“This isn’t your normal singer/songwriter performance,” says Jana of the upcoming concert. “There will be a little more rock, a little more soul.”

The free concert is a great chance to get to know two inspired musicians and teachers. If you come with an open mind, you may be inspired to do a little wandering of your own.
- Brooklyn Conservatory