"Jennifer Grassman has a voice all her own in a world of conformity."
Brain Ray, Bassist & Guitarist for Paul McCartney is a Texas based pianist, vocalist and songwriter. Born in Austin, Texas on December 8, 1984, she has been touring and recording since 2006. Commended by
Tori Amos for her charitable work on behalf of abuse victims, and by
President George W. Bush for her patriotic song dedicated to the troops, Grassman has a heart for advocacy and philanthropy.
In a 2010 interview with
The American Chronicle, Grassman stated, “Every time I write a song I do it in the hope that it will inspire, comfort, entertain, or fascinate someone out there.”
Regarding her 2012 release,
Serpent Tales & Nightingales, Mark Morning, Editor of
Christianity Today, stated, “One of the more intriguing albums I've heard in a while, Grassman's 58-minute opus is a unique mix of bombastic prog rock, piano pop, and opera. The versatile Texan says she drew on 1930s influences such as
Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, and
Frank Sinatra to write these songs, which she hopes will encourage listeners through the recession as those artists did during the
Great Depression. A concept album laden with classical and theatrical flourishes,
Serpent Tales progresses through songs of confusion and sadness ultimately arriving at joy and peace.”
While the media has compared Grassman’s music to that of
Sarah McLachlan, Tori Amos, Loreena McKennitt, and
Enya, fans have compared her to the likes of
Danny Elfman, Sarah Brightman and
Kate Bush. Grassman’s lyrics are often derived from classical literature, nostalgic films, and real life experiences.
A veteran bookworm and creative author, Grassman is currently in the process of penning several books, including one rumored to be an epic fantasy novel about dragons, and another said to be a collection of "very odd" short, mythical stories.
Grassman is also in the process of recording her fourth album,
Once Upon A Time, the songs on which were all inspired by classic literature, from the works of
Shakespeare to the mysteries of
Agatha Christie and the novel frivolities of
PG Wodehouse.
A journalist for
The Washington Times Communities, Grassman pens a music column entitled,
The Business of Being Diva, in addition to a business column called,
SeeTalkGrow: The New Entertainment Industry. She has interviewed many famous celebrities including Harry Potter actress Natalia Tena, Paul McCartney’s guitarist Brian Ray, American Idol star Mandisa, singer-songwriter Aimee Mann and producer Larry Klein.
Grassman married her best friend and guitarist,
Jason Greenberg, in 2006. They are happily married and residing in Spring, Texas with their two cats,
Mr. Charles Bingley and
Shadowfax (both of whom have literary names, Mr. Charles Bingley being named after the romantic interest in
Jane Austen's
Pride & Prejudice, and
Shadowfax after Gandolf's horse in
J. R. R. Tolkien's,
The Lord Of The Rings).
RIGHT: Jennifer Grassman and TV Host
Deborah Duncan on the set of
Great Day Houston in 2009.
