I ran into Jenny Bird a week or so ago at the Manzanita Market, while waiting for friends to arrive.
We chatted for a bit and I mentioned that I’d had her on my mind and wanted to do a piece on her.
Last week she emailed me a press release regarding the third annual Goddess Festival she’s hosting at Unity of Taos where she’s been the Musical Director for the past 27 years!
Hard to imagine looking at her; Jenny is ageless it seems, despite the hurdles life has thrown in her path.
Bird defines herself as being part of the New-Folk Genre (as opposed to the Anti-Folk Scene I was part of), which takes its inspiration from the classic West Village Folk Movement of the early 60’s.
She’s been performing since childhood, writing her own material since the age of ten, and when Jenny’s not here in Taos, teaching and/or recording, she’s touring.
Jenny has lived and recorded in Germany and Belgium, and over the last two decades she’s toured widely and consistently, playing festivals and clubs across Europe, Canada, and the United States, appearing on the same stage with Sheryl Crow, John Prine, Iris Dement, JJ Cale, Blues Traveller, Sinead O’Connor, Indigo Girls and Sarah McLachlan, to name but a few.
In the past few years she’s hosted several shows (locally), at Lenny Foster’s Living Light Gallery, she brought Julia Butterfly Hill to the TCA, and for the past three years, the aforementioned Goddess Festival at Unity, which brings remarkable women together in Taos every year. Jenny has long been involved with the Goddess Community and Movement, participating in many events held here in Taos over the years. (Some women have even been drawn to move here, so inspired were they by their experiences at these gatherings).
With the current focus on Women (and Women’s Rights) since the massive March on Washington (and around the World) in January, this year’s event could not be more timely and is bound to be a sold out affair. Get your tickets early.
This year’s festivities begin with Indie Folk Icon, Chris Williamson, on Thursday at 6.30 pm. Shepard Moon appears on May 7th and Eliza Gilkyson will be here in June. The Festival continues through the Summer so do check Jenny’s Website below the post for details and more info about the upcoming event, Jenny’s music and Tour Schedule.
It has long been noted that Remarkable Women are drawn to, and have contributed greatly to Taos, and Jenny Bird is surely one of them.
All images thanks to Jenny Bird
