EXPONENT
Thursday, November 20, 2003
by Randi Hirsch

Sneak Preview
Local Music Scent
Jeni Fleming Acoustic Trio

The Jeni Fleming Acoustic Trio will bring their special brand of music to the Gallatin Gateway Inn on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. This concert marks the release of their third CD "Thins I Meant to Say. "

Too often, music is used as a backdrop to life. This is fine for a good percentage of musical acts; the lyrics are either too unmemorable to hold audience's attention or they are sun too sloppily to deserve audiences attention. The music of the Jeni Fleming Acoustic Trio refuses to be ignored.

One fan's words are considered by the trio to be the best way to explain their concerts. "After you go and hear them play, you'll know what the experience is all about. After you hear it, you won't be able to tell anyone. "

The trio describes their music as mystery jazz, folk jazz, and similar to Norah Jones and Eva Cassidy. Songs include originals, Broadway tunes, and jazz songs with covers ranging from "Over the Rainbow" and "Amazing Grace" to Jerry Jeff Walker and Cyndi Lauper.

Few singers can keep the words crisp and flowing at the same time, but the trio's singer, Jeni Fleming, keeps the words clean and sharp without breaking the perfect continuity necessary for beautiful music.

Jake Fleming, Jeni's husband, matches Jeni's voice with his talent on the saxophone, guitar, and with his own voice. Jake and his father Bill write songs; with lyrics that are original and honest. With his upright bass, Chad Langford contributes a whisper in the background of some songs; in other songs he is the intensity that reveals the lyric's true intentions. All three musicians graduated from the MSU Music Department. Their talent has earned them awards and recognition nationwide.

"A more in-depth look at what we can do as muscians" is what separates the new CD from the trio's earlier work. It was recorded in the Fleming's home in Bozeman, and this allowed the trio a greater degree of freedom with the arrangement. The CD features unconventional percussions like clapping coasters and smacking stools, as well as allowing Jeni to sing her own background, and Jake to accompany on both the guitar and sax.

"We play live and can see the direct connection with the audience. With this group, it always seems to click," said Langford. "Our audience is as hard to categorize as our music. Everyone seems to have a similar experience regardless of age. "

There is a difference between audience appeal and this direct connection to audience members. Many musical groups may charm audiences, but few local acts can have their audience lined up down the street. For the trio's second CD's release concert, MSU's Reynold Recital Hall was overflowing and there was just not enough room for over a hundred fans.

"The joy of performing comes after you've done all your work and when you're on, you're on," said Jeni. The band feels that honesty is what draws audiences to their music.

"We aren't be-bop jazz players and will never be. We play whatever we like. ".; said Jeni. The music has more than honesty; there is an unspoken intuition connected with the music, similar to that of a master painting or sculpture. There is a true crafted quality not found in so much of the music today. Only a few special experiences enrich a person's life, and listening to this trio's music cannot leave a listener unaffected.

The trio's website, www.jenifleming.com, offers a preview of the tracks from CDs as well as tour dates and CD ordering information.

Tickets for the CD Release Concert are available at Eckroth Music, Cactus Records, Vargo's Jazz City and Books, the Gallation Gateway Inn, MSU Music Department's office in Howard Hall, or from the trio at 585-8992.