John Jenning Four CD

John Jennings, internationally acclaimed Washington DC area producer, musician and recording artist, releases latest CD, FOUR."John Jennings is the consummate artist, whether he is offering up his own finely observed songs of hearts and souls, or collaborating with others. His gift is in the substance of his music, not in the style, which is rare these days." Mary Chapin Carpenter.On his latest release, Four, John Jennings has written and produced his best work. From the opening track, "Hector Falls," a sprawling rocker that references the Trojan War, to the solo piano/vocal final track, "If the River Freezes," by way of the ultra-jaunty "Russian Women Want to Meet You Now" and the sideways, jazz-inspired "That's Why I Am the Way I Am," Jennings maintains his typical balance between serious subjects and less weighty ones. With the help of longtime friends Dave Mattacks (Carpenter, Richard Thompson, Joan Armatrading, XTC, etc.) on drums and Jon Carroll (Carpenter, Starland Vocal Band, Rodney Crowell, etc.) on piano and accordion, Jennings covers the stylistic waterfront. Jennings, who released his first solo album Buddy in 1997, is known internationally as a producer, guitarist, and singer/songwriter. John Jennings first burst on the scene in 1986 as producer and lead guitarist for the then unknown Mary Chapin Carpenter. He has produced eight of her albums, which have garnered four #1 singles, 11 top 10 singles, five Grammy awards, 19 CMA nominations and 5 CMA awards.John Jennings has been referred to by Lyle Lovett as "the consummate pro," and by novelist Ann Patchett as "a genius." His three previous albums have garnered rave reviews from critics throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, in newspapers and magazines, ranging from U.S.A.Today to a Washington DC fine arts magazine. The web site Pressplay notes that "Jennings proves an expert at the craft of shedding new light on everyday topics, which is what good songwriters do." The Washington Post calls John Jennings "one of the most distinctive guitarists in a town noted for its pickers." In addition to his highly regarded work with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Jennings has appeared on or produced albums for such diverse artists as Beausoleil, Indigo Girls, The Rankin Family, Kathy Mattea, Iris Dement, Robin and Linda Williams, Tracy Grammer, Catie Curtis and George Jones, to name just a few.John Jennings was first president of the Washington, DC chapter of NARAS. He has often lent a hand and offered his stewardship and performing talents for charitable organizations such as Operation Smile, Vietnam Veterans of America Foudation (Campaign for a Land Mine Free World), Democratic National Party, various political campaigns, National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the UVA Cancer Center and the Kennedy Center Concert For America (post 9/11 memorial) among others. He has also participated in several USO tours to numerous countries in Middle East and Europe. John Jennings has been nominated for several Grammy awards.