User:Wilcopshot/Jenny Darren

Jenny Darren (born Jennifer Harley, 13 October 1949) is a solo English Rock  singer. Her claim to fame was that the Pat Benatar hit  Heartbreaker  was written for her. Known for her huge bluesy rock voice, on such tracks as Ladykiller, & The Buk single classic, Lay me like a lady. Darren has released seven albums to date, with an eighth to be released later on in the fall of 2017. Although never having had a hit record, her style is unique, being one of the few female Classic rock vocalists in the world.

Early Career
Darren was born Jennifer Harley in Birmingham, Warwickshire, the adopted & only child of Maud Phillips (nee Smith) & Leslie Phillips. Darren was raised in Dudley, in the West Midlands, & attended the Sir Gilbert Claughton grammar School. Darren wrote her first song  Why does it have to be with me  at the age of eleven, & joined her first band at the same age. During senior school, she gigged locally with a Blackheath group called The Roving Saracens, as one of four singers, two other girls & one boy (Darren being far the youngest) At this time Darren met Manchester Evening News journalist Richard Jaffa, who became her Manager for the next three years, before he was called to the Bar to do his Barrister Law degree. Jenny was just fourteen years old when she signed a two singles deal with Nathan Joseph's Folk Label -  Transatlantic records,  with notables such as  Long John  Baldry  ; Working a minimum of two nights a week with alternating pop & jazz outfits. After which, she became a backing vocalist for  Clifford T. Ward , a Kidderminster songwriter/singer. With all this given experience, she soon learned her trade. Being taken to see jazz Artiste's such as, Ella Fitzgerald, Dakota Staton, & Oscar Peterson.

Managers/Agents
After leaving school at the end of her fifth form year,  Darren went professional, joining alternative cabaret group -  The Second City Sound,  for a period of four years, recording the Love is Blue Album, plus two singles. One being a remake of Ike & Tina Turner's - River deep & Mountain High, with the B side (Julie) penned by the group's Bassist - Bill Gilbert. The other track was a piano & string spectacular of the classical piece -The Dream of Olwyn, with a vocal harmony song as the B side -A touch of Velvet, a sting of brass. At the time the group were managed by Harry Gunn, a Manchester agent. At the end of the four year stint, London Agents Phil & Dorothy Solomons came on board, subsequently to manage Jenny's solo career. Two years went by treading the boards, then... her  ROCK  career beckoned. Firstly, with the Lancashire rock band -  Stoney End  (Who went on to become Shabby Tiger) Then in stepped  Hot Chocolate's  Manager, Peter Walsh, a London impresario who pursued a recording deal with Decca records for Jenny. Produced & played by pianist arranger Mike Moran, combined with the B side,  How soon hello becomes Goodbye , from the Italian film  ill Silencioux  (The silent ones) The A side of the Ronnette's track  Be my Baby  was recorded.

Residencies
At the time in the UK, there was a  Mecca Band Residency  in most towns in the UK (Which later became the Mecca Bingo Halls) therefore, a lot of professional musicians skipped from one location to another. Darren being no exception. Jenny was resident at Manchester (Oxford St) then Rotherham, then Stafford. Later on her London residencies were at Tiffany's Oxford Street, then subsequently Tottenham Mayfair, & Wimbledon Tiffany's. In the 80's (in her drop out Rock years) Darren worked at both Reading & Brighton Top Rank residencies; drifting from residency to residency. Later she joined the Dave White Band (Warners) twice over the years, at various Norfolk & Nottingham residencies. At the same time, Jenny joined forces with Dave White's guitarist  Lee Vasey,  (The Lee Vasey Band) playing jazz/rock on their one night & one lunchtime off each week.

Strawberry Studios
Time moved on, & Jenny met up with songwriter producers - Geoff Gill & Cliff Wade, who worked at Strawberry (10 CC's studio's) in Stockport, Cheshire. Jenny was pulled in to do backing vocals on some tracks they had written. This was the beginning of the rock career that was to take off with a jolt! The next four years were spent touring the UK & Europe. Along the way, there were three Jenny Darren Bands over this period. TV slots & tours followed; AC/DC, & a  Rock goes to College  appearance supporting the band Be Bop de Luxe. Reading. Glastonbury & Knebworth Festivals amongst many others soon followed.

Dick James Music (DJM)
After four years Darren signed directly to DJM, with Father & son – Dick & Stephen James, who became her joint Managers. A new Band was to follow. Ex England prog keyboard player, Robert Webb, Andy Richards on second Keyboard (Frankie goes to Hollywood) Chas Kronk (The Strawbs) on bass, Chris West (Stomu Yomashta) on guitar. Luis Jardim on percussion, & Nicko McBrain, drums (Iron Maiden) The Band recorded one album (Jenny Darren 2 – The pink album) due to internal problems, the band played two gigs only. A live recording still survives from The Fulcrum Hall, Slough.

This was the time that Jenny came off the road and also halted her recording career. Rock was no longer an option, & after a passage of time away from it, she embarked upon a jazz career. Working at Ronnie Scotts Club in Soho, London, the 606 Club Chelsea, plus various other jazz clubs around the country. Although live jazz recordings have been completed along the way, little has been released in the jazz vein. Two unreleased albums too, have not (so far) seen the light of day. In the twilight years, Jenny also pursued a career as a vocal coach in  Colleges, & involved herself in other areas of music.... pop/blues/musical theatre etc. Time again marched on. Fast forward to 1997.

Painted Lady (Helen Mirren)
In early 1997 Darren received a phone call from jazz pianist John Donaldson, regarding a two part mini series he was working on, featuring actress Helen Mirren as Maggie Sheridan, who was portraying a washed-up blues vocalist from the 1960s who had long since stopped performing. The writers of the series, Peter Salem & Alan Cubitt heard Jenny sing (on the recommendation of Donaldson) & then offered her the singing role of Maggie. Some wonderful musicians played on the mini series music tracks, including  Rock Drummer Cosy Powell , who also hailed from Jenny's more  recent neck of the woods. The mini series was released on video, then DVD. Consequently, It has proved to be a big hit in the US, Canada & the UK. Darren is credited in the film credits. Interpreting songs veering from light pop, to heavy blues, with Celtic overtones in places. This being due largely to the age of Maggie Sheridan's voice over the years. From a young teenager to middle age. There was talk in later years regarding the making of    Painted Lady 2 . However, this has never come  into fruition.

The Ladykillers (Studio Band 1-Late 2014)
Have taken three forms since the first recording of the  Ladykillers  album. The first being the very first studio Band. The hard core members being: Andy Hawkins- drums: Clive Poole -guitar (younger brother of drummer Mac Poole from 70's Rock Band Warhorse) & Kev Moore (Witchcross/BC Sweet/Christie).The album itself was  Initiated  by Moore himself, taking up on the idea made to Darren by a friend of hers, fellow musician (Gordon Milton) who suggested that she should re-record & then re-release Heartbreaker. Moore was instrumental from the first in bringing the project into being. Initially bringing in fellow guest musicians, Graham Oliver (Saxon-guitarist )Tom Leary (Fiddle-Lindisfarne) Andrew Hawkins (Drums BC Sweet) Then Jenny bought in:Tony Williams (Guitar-Jaki Graham) Robin George (Guitar-Roy Wood/The Move/Magnum) Then-Pete Way (Bass-UFO) Chris Slade (Drums-AC/DC) By courtesy of Robin George. Nicko McBrain  (Drums-Iron Maiden) who was the drummer in Darren's Band when the song (Ode to Billy Joe) was recorded. As also were Robert Webb (England-Keys) Andy Richards (Keys-Frankie Goes to Hollywood) Chas Kronk (Strawbs-Bass) Chris West (Guitar-Stomu Yamashta) & Luis Jardim (percussion-The Buggles)As well as TWO versions of Heartbreaker being featured on the disc; there is also an updated version of Ladykiller, from the Jenny Darren (1977 Album) Plus some original songs by Moore, & Witchcross guitarist Mike Koch,  Darren & (keyboardist/ MD re Cindy Lawper) Jan Pulsford. The album was initially recorded at  The Two Rivers Studios,  Cheltenham. Initially with studio engineer Matt Culpepper, & later engineer Pete Newdeck. Then at  Soundshack Studios  Cheltenham, with engineer Greg-Wilson-Copp.

The Ladykillers (Studio Band 2 -Spring 2016)
Came into being when a video was undertaken. Kev Moore had by this time dropped out of the project, only to return (briefly) a few months later. Jenny then brought in  Wishbone Ash  Musicians; Bob Skeat (bass) as a replacement for Moore) & Muddy Manninen (Guitar) together with Bill Hunt (Keyboards-Roy Wood/ELO) & on (Drums- Martin Magic Johnson-Jo Harman Band) plus Ian Horley (second guitar) the owner of  The Two Rivers Studios, Cheltenham  (where the video was recorded by Wilson-Copp)

Draco Angelis (2014-2016)
Were initially an acoustic Celtic/rock duo. Formed by Kev Moore & Darren herself. With Moore on acoustic guitar, plus Darren on vocals. Moore brought in electric violin/fiddle player Tom Leary, & Darren, guitarist Muddy Manninen. Draco wrote over thirty songs in total. Only one song being recorded to Studio quality; The ballad '' Queen Arachnid. '' The rest of the songs being demoed to be used at some future date. There are various live Draco video's to be found of the songs online.

Ladykillers 3 (Live touring Band)
The third & final phase was organised in January of 2017, after Moore finally left the project for good, & went back to live in Spain. Jenny happened to spot drummer Rupert James Irving playing with a local Gloucestershire band. After contacting him, he introduced her (To who are at present) the new gigging  Ladykillers Band members : Rupert James Irving (drums)J Evans (guitar) Jo Ward (Keys) Alun Roberts (bass) he new  Ladykiller  album is finally scheduled for release in project for good, & went back to live in Spain. Jenny happened to spot drummer Rupert James Irving playing with a local Gloucestershire band. After contacting him, he introduced her (To who are at present) the new gigging  Ladykillers Band members:Rupert James Irving (drums)J Evans (guitar) Jo Ward (Keys) Alun Roberts (bass) he new  Ladykiller  album is finally scheduled for release in August 2017.

Personal Life
In 1974 Darren married Mike Gillett, a Manchester bass player. After a couple of break ups, they split for good in 1979, finally divorcing in 1981. From 1979-1983, she lived with  England  Prog rock band virtuoso Keyboard player Robert Webb. In the late 80's, early 90's, Darren had a seven year relationship with jazz drummer Mark Fletcher. leaving London finally in 1993 to live in Suffolk. From 2014 to early 2017, Jenny was involved both personally & professional with the Danish Band Witchcross' bass player Kev Moore. Both going their separate ways after a difficult parting when the Ladykiller album was finally completed.

Discography
Love is Blue (1967)With Second City Sound (1963-1975?)

Solo
City Lights (1976)

Jenny Darren (1977)

Queen of Fools (1978)

Jenny Darren   (1980-The Pink Album)

Jenny Darren-The Best Of (2015)

Ladykiller (2017-)

Paidarion
The Finlandia Project-Two Worlds Encounter (2016)

Singles (As Jenny Wren)
Chasing my dream all over Town (1964)  Fontana

The Merry go round is slowing you down 1965 Fontana

With The Second City Sound
A touch of Velvet, a sting of brass (Major Minor records 1967)

River Deep Mountain High (Major Minor records 1968)

Solo
Be my Baby   (Decca Records 1971)

Slay me like a Lady  (Buk Records 1974)

Sure Sugar  (DJM records 1975)

Love Potion No 9 (DJM records 1975)

Love & Devotion( DJM records 1976)

Too many Lovers (DJM records 1977)

Ladykiller (DJM records 1978)

Heartbreaker (DJM records 1979)

Lover (DJM records 1980)

Television appearances
Thank your Lucky Stars  (As Jenny Wren-1965)

Opportunity Knocks  (With Second City Sound-1967)

Opportunity Knocks (With Stoney End-1971

Rock goes to College (Supporting Bebop Deluxe 1978)

Madrid TV (1979)

Scotland TV(1980)

Videos
Painted Lady (Featured voice -1997)