Jen Chapin joins Will Read and Sing to support the Jasper Arts

Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Jen Chapin will appear in Will Read and Sing For Food’s (WRASFF) 112th public performance, Thursday, July 6, 7 p.m., at the Jasper Community Arts center (951 College Avenue, Jasper).

“While Jen is proud to be the daughter of the late-great ‘70s songwriter Harry Chapin (Cat’s in the Cradle, Taxi), she has worked hard to earn accolades for her own music,” said WRASFF founder and host Scott Saalman. “She is the perfect fit for our show. It was the philanthropic sprit of Harry that sparked the start of WRASFF. Adding Jen Chapin brings it full circle for us.”

In 2014, Chapin and her jazz trio, joined WRASFF at no cost for a show to benefit Community Food Bank. The show sold out, raising over $2,000 for the cause. It’s still the highest total raised for a single WRASFF food bank show.

Chapin has performed on stage with Bruce Springsteen and has been billed with Aimee Mann, Bruce Hornsby, and The Neville Brothers. She performed on Late Nite with Conan O’Brien, NPR’s Mountain Stage, Mary Sue Twohy’s Folk Village and the Bob Edwards Show on Sirius Satellite.

Newsday describes Jen’s music as “potent, jazzy, layered folk.” NPR describes it as “brilliant soulfully poetic urban folk music.” Chapin is also actively involved with WhyHunger, which was founded by Harry in the ‘70s.

Backing Chapin is long-time touring partner Jamie Fox, who has performed worldwide, including a two-year stint as lead guitarist for Blood, Sweat & Tears. He was a semifinalist in the Thelonius Monk International Jazz competition in 1995. The New York Times calls Fox “an unflappable melodist.”

Chapin and Fox will join a WRASFF ensemble that includes a diverse group of audience favorites: reggae artist Zion, Shelantea Fisher & the Youth Praise Choir, Shawn Needham, Debbie Schuetter, Andrea Wirth, Kyle Lueken, violinist Rafaela Copetti Schaick, Courier & Press humor writer Jon Webb and cellist Kathryn Schutmaat. Cohost with Saalman will be WNIN 88.3 public radio personality Paola Marizan. Members of the Actors Community Theater will also be on stage to perform a scene snippet from the musical Oliver!, which they will perform this summer.

Admission is $10 per person. The show will raise money for the JCAC Building Fund. Tickets can be purchased the day of the show starting at 6 p.m. in JCAC’s side entrance.

You are also encouraged to bring canned goods for the Community Food Bank.

Since 2011, WRASFF has raised, through the generosity of its audiences, over $104,000 for 30+ charities in Dubois County.
For further information, call Saalman at 812-827-9911.