The Jackie Frost Ensemble is a Blues and Bluegrass band from Richmond that humbly boasts two nominations – Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2006 Independent Music Awards.
Frost formed her ensemble in the mid 90's and for over ten years the band has performed at coffee houses, private parties, and local concert halls in the Richmond, VA area as well as TV, radio, and with the Richmond Symphony. The band recorded several self produced recording projects over the years and developed a local fan base.
She has played some of the best-known stages in the area, including Ashland Coffee and Tea, The Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts, The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, St. Catherine's McVey Theater, The Virginia Commonwealth University's Performing Arts Center, and the University of Richmond's Modlin Center for the Performing Arts.
With the release of "Calliope" in March 2005, which includes all original band material, came changes in the band structure. The ensemble grew to near baseball team proportions at times to play the larger venues associated with a successful and well received project. The band quickly followed up with the release of “Cold Lonely Blues” on Courthouse Records.
“Our music is very diverse and knows no racial, ethnic, and/or cultural boundaries” says Jackie. In addition to the band's well received original material, the band also covers almost a century of material. Songs nearly lost to time have been revived - like “Black and Blue” by 1930’s Blues legend - Fats Waller, and “I’ll Go Steppin’ Too” popularized in the early 50’s by Bluegrassers Lester Flat and Earl Scruggs. Other more recognizable tunes still traverse time – like the 20’s classic “Summertime” by George Gershwin, the ‘70’s hits “Dreamboat Annie” by the band Heart, and “Give it Up” and “Love Me Like A Man” by Bonnie Rait.
What sets this band apart from others in the same genre are the clear, crisp vocal presentations of great tunes, and the high quality of original song material from within the band. You'll find no jazz riffing vocal gymnastics and scatting here…just "arm hair raising – goose bump making" clean vocals from Jackie Frost, supported by clean uncluttered musicianship. Jackie also wows the crowd with blues guitar and slide guitar playing as an accompaniment to her vocal work.
Major influences on the band include “Fats” Waller, the Mills Brothers, Duke Ellington, Dean Martin, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Pardon, Louis Jordon, Ray Charles, Bonnie Rait, Flat and Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Tim O’Brien, Eva Cassidy, and Emmy Lou Harris.
The Ensemble has been awarded a touring grant from the Virginia Commision for the Performing Arts and will spread their music across the State this coming year.
Fans of all ages seem to enjoy the music of the JFE, which runs the gamut - from straight ahead delta blues, to jazz influenced improvisational standards - from bluegrass powered arrangements of easily recognizable covers, to original material that can only be heard at a Jackie Frost Ensemble show.
Hope to see you soon!
