Jennifer Kraatz

Born and raised in Edmonton's river valley, Jennifer Kraatz grew accustomed to the freedom of expression in the artistic, folk-based community of Riverdale. Her musical influences range from violin to clarinet to saxophone before she discovered the guitar at the age of 16. Upon joining her first band, Stanley's Wagon, in 1993, Jennifer soon became enthralled with the art of songwriting. Since February 1995, she has been performing solo, in a duo with Shawn Jonasson on guitar, and most recently with a four-piece band, The Whispers. In the spring of 1995, Jennifer and Shawn released their first self-titled, six-song cassette; within two weeks of its release to Edmonton's college radio, it reached 27th on CJSR's playlist. And in August 1995 Jennifer was featured on The Great Western Ballroom, a nationally syndicated radio show airing &Mac183;across Canada and the USA. She was also selected for The Great Western Ballroom compilation CD released in 1997. Currently, Jennifer Kraatz and the Whispers are recording their first full-length album at Riverdale Recorders.

  -- CW