Growing up in Boise, Idaho, Eilen Jewell honed her performance skills busking at farmer's markets in New Mexico and later in LA becoming a staple on the street circuit. In 2003, she moved to Boston after a short stint in the Berkshires and began attending old-time music jams. There she met drummer (and Dracut native) Jason Beek who at the time was hosting WMBR's American Primitive, a radio show featuring roots and blues greats like Charlie Patton, John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf and Leadbelly. With the addition of Jerry Miller on electric and steel guitar and Johnny Sciascia on acoustic bass, Jewell found the perfect combination of musicians to compliment her swinging, lonesome songs. Her 2007 release, Letters from Sinners and Strangers, brought her national recognition and last year she opened for Loretta Lynn at the Calvin Theater in North Hampton. With her third album Sea of Tears due out in April, Eilen continues to tour incessantly. Too often compared to Norah Jones and Gillian Welch, Eilen's smoky, drawling voice and her swanky melodies, though laced with jazz and folk stylings, are more saloon swagger than anything else, her style all her own. This is pure Americana at it's very, very best!
Eilen and her band are at Passim Friday night before playing Austin and New Orleans. She's back to play the Bull Run on April 10th. Don't miss a chance to see her...she's the REAL deal!
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