Acclaimed Singer Jennifer Kimball to Perform at Milton Art Center

On Saturday night December 6 the Milton Music Series closes out its fall season with a bang at the Milton Art Center. Featured that evening will be an outstanding local singer-songwriter, Jennifer Kimball.

Jennifer Kimball achieved fame in the early 1990s as part of a folk music duo with Jonatha Brooke called The Story. Their two releases on Elektra Records were critically celebrated - at the time, New York Times critic Stephen Holden called them “the last word in elegant folk-pop refinement.” Their notoriety led to opening on a tour with Jackson Browne.

Their time on the national stage was short, however. Their partnership dissolved in 1994. Since then both women have carved out strong careers as solo performers. Jennifer Kimball, who one critic dubbed the Art Garfunkel to Jonatha Brooke’s Paul Simon, has developed a reputation as a sterling and meticulous songwriter.

Her solo debut, Veering From the Wave, arrived in 1998. The prestigious website All Music called this release “an engaging debut that suggests she is an adult contemporary vocalist of considerable potential. The best moments on the album are elegant, almost soulful, thanks to her rich vocals...Kimball’s talents leave a lasting impression. One to watch.”

Eight years later came Jennifer’s followup, Oh Hear Us. Once again, All Music was quite flattering, calling the release “literate, versatile, accomplished singer/songwriter music. Those who view her as a continuation of classic performers in the style such as Joni Mitchell will find much to latch on to in that direction, both in Kimball’s sophisticated vocal phrasing and the occasionally jazzy flavors.”

During these gaps between album releases Jenn has kept quite busy collaborating with a variety of artists, providing backup vocals for artists like Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Tony Trischka, and Kris Delmhorst. For a short time she and her husband Ry Cavanaugh formed a group called Maybe Baby, and she has also recorded with the groups the Wayfaring Stangers and Session Americana.

Jennifer has a batch of new songs that she’s preparing for a new release in the Spring. She’ll perform songs from her catalog and material intended for the new CD. She’ll also play some of her ”wintery songs” that are an annual treat at Club Passim in Cambridge.

Tickets for the show are $20 and may be purchased in advance at www.miltonartcenter.org.