Jennifer Batten
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2012) |
| Jennifer Batten | |
|---|---|
 Batten on stage in 2010 |
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| Background information | |
| Born | November 29, 1957 New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | Instrumental rock, jazz fusion, hard rock, electronica |
| Occupations | Musician, songwriter, producer, filmmaker, visual artist |
| Instruments | Guitar, guitar synthesizer |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Labels | Voss, East West, Lion |
| Associated acts | Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck |
| Website | jenniferbatten.com |
| Notable instruments | |
| Washburn JB-100 Parker Bronze Fly Line 6 JTV-69 Variax |
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Jennifer Batten (born November 29, 1957) is an American guitarist who has worked as both a session musician and solo artist. She has released three studio albums: her 1992 debut, Above Below and Beyond, was produced by former Stevie Wonder guitarist Michael Sembello. In 1997, she released the worldbeat-influenced Jennifer Batten's Tribal Rage: Momentum. Her third CD/DVD, Whatever, was released in Japan in September 2007 and worldwide on April 18, 2008.
She authored 2 music books; Hal Leonard's "Two Hand Rock" and "The Transcribed Guitar Solos of Peter Sprague"
Outside of music Batten enjoys creating Stained Glass Art.[1]
Contents |
Early years [edit]
Batten began to play guitar at the age of 8 when her father bought her a "killer red and blue electric". Her early influences as a musician came from The Beatles, BB King, Lightnin' Hopkins and Jeff Beck.[1]
Batten first started to experiment with "2 handed tapping technique" from fellow classmate Steve Lynch, while attending Musicians Institute in 1978.[1]
Musical career [edit]
Batten has appeared on recordings such as Jeff Beck's Who Else! (1999) and You Had It Coming (2001), Michael Sembello's Heavy Weather (1992), Bret Helm's "Doc Tahri" and the debut of The Immigrants. Her music video appearances include Jeff Beck (Live in Japan) , Michael Jackson (Moonwalker-"Come Together"), Natalie Cole-"Wild Women Do", Sara Hickman and Miguel Mateos's "Obsesión".
Batten played lead and rhythm guitar on Michael Jackson's Bad (1987–1989), Dangerous (1992–1993) and HIStory (1996–1997) world tours, as well as his 1993 Super Bowl half-time performance aired to 1.5 billion people in 80 nations. This was the largest television audience in history.
She joined British guitar legend Jeff Beck's band for three years from 1999.
Between 1994 and 1999 Batten joined Dave Rodgers and Domino as featured guitarist on the eurobeat songs "Sun City", "Music For the People", "Fly" and "Woa Woa Woa." Her writing and performing is uncredited in several other songs under the A-Beat C label.[citation needed] Her live Eurobeat appearances were limited to playing at the Tokyo Dome with Dave Rodgers and Queen of Hearts.
In 2010 she recorded a solo for the song "Bad Girls" for a Polish singer Doda.
In November 2011, Batten was featured on BBC Radio 4's series "Joan Armatrading's More Guitar Favourites".
Discography [edit]
Solo albums [edit]
- 1992: Above Below and Beyond
- 1997: Jennifer Batten's Tribal Rage: Momentum
- 2007: Whatever
Guest appearances [edit]
- 1990: Shortstop – Sara Hickman (Elektra)
- 1990: Girl's Life – The Rainbow Girls (Red Distribution)
- 1990: Obsesion – Miguel Mateos (Song BMG)
- 1991: Small Town Girl – Cindy Cruse (Frontline Records)
- 1993: Guitar's Practicing Musicians – various artists (Guitar Recordings)
- 1994: Sunlight Again – Carl Anderson (singer) (GRP Records)
- 1995: Earthtones – Thom Teresi (Rhombus)
- 1995: One Planet Under One Groove – The Immigrants (USG Records)
- 1995: Guitar Zeus – Carmine Appice (No Bull Records)
- 1997: Einstein was a Bullfighter – Doc Tahri (Sumething Else)
- 1999: Who Else! – Jeff Beck (Epic)
- 2001: You Had It Coming, Jeff Beck, (Epic)
- 2003: Lost Years – Michael Sembello (Frontiers Records)
- 2005: All Star Tribute to Cher (Cleopatra)
- 2005: Secondhand Smoke - A Tribute to Frank Marino (Wildmess Records)
- 2008: Clean – Dave Martone (Magna Carta)
- 2009: Unexpected Fate – Bulldozer (Scarlet)
- 2010: It's Important – Dino Fiorenza (Fog Foundation)
- 2011: Glenn Eric – Glenn Eric Meganck (Beachfront)
- 2011: Japan Live 1999, Jeff Beck, (IMV Blueline)
- 2011: Embrace the Sun - Japan Benefit Album, (Lion Music)
References [edit]
- ^ a b c "Jennifer Batten Interview". Guitarhoo!. Guitarhoo.com. October 23, 2005. Retrieved March 10, 2013.
