Jeni Fleming
sings with a fierce grace and passion that proves itself note after note.
Fleming’s ability to effortlessly glide from genre to genre is due in large
part to her broad musical background that began at an early age. "Music has
always been a seamless and constant part of my life. It can lend a level of
dimension and character to every situation…I can’t imagine moving through
life without it."
She is a graduate of
Montana State University-Bozeman with a Bachelor of Music, emphasis in
classical piano. As a classical pianist for 22 years, she was the 1988
winner of the Junior Baldwin Piano Competition. She debuted with the
Billings Symphony as The Young Artist Award Winner in 1989. She sang in The
National Women’s Honor Choir, San Antonio, TX, The Spokane Symphonic Choir,
under the direction of Gunter Schuller and The St. Clemens Choir, Chicago,
IL.
Jeni has also sung with
MSU’s University Chorus, Chorale, Opera-Theatre Workshop and Montanans.
She continues to sing and tour with the MSU Jazz Lab 1 and has won two
Outstanding Soloist Awards at the UNC Greeley Jazz Festival. In November,
2000, Jeni opened for Hilton Ruiz and Dave Valentine at the annual Jazz
Montana Festival in Bozeman, returned in 2001 to open for Nicholas Payton
and Tim Warfield and a third time in 2002, as a featured vocalist with the
MSU Jazz Lab 1, opening for Cyrus Chestnut, Gary Bartz and Stefon Harris.
Jake Fleming’s
diversity as saxophonist, guitarist, and singer adds a unique depth to the
trio’s music. His intimate connection to the music, and to wife, Jeni,
allows him to perfectly and intuitively know exactly how and when to enhance
Jeni’s soulful sound.
Fleming is a graduate of
Montana State University-Bozeman, where he received his Bachelor of Music
Education and has taught public school music in Rapid City, SD and
Manhattan, MT, in addition to running a private music studio. Jake served
three years as Minister of Music and Outreach at the Center for Campus
Ministry, MSU-Bozeman, incorporating classical, jazz, rhythm and blues,
country and folk styles into worship. He continues to work part time as
music leader, arranging music for worship in local churches.
Jake received the Louis
Armstrong Jazz Award in 1992 and the prestigious Academic Excellence Award
in 1994. He made his classical saxophone debut as the winner of the 1994 MSU
Concerto Competition, performing with the MSU Chamber Orchestra.
Jake also shared the
stage with Jeni, opening for Nicholas Payton, at Jazz Montana in
2001. Jake enjoys composing and arranging music and and has served as a
conductor for the Bozeman Municipal Band. As a saxophonist, he works with
various jazz, gospel and fusion ensembles.
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