Julie Kinscheck
|
Join the Mailing List |
Bio
In 2008 Julie Kinscheck, Queen of SCAT, released her debut solo artist CD: Grace With Jazz On Top! Presently touring the NE Christian Coffee House circuit and church conferences nationwide, Julie has overcome many struggles- all found in her songs. Born Julie Alice Gibbons in Ithaca, New York, Julie began playing out as a singer songwriter guitarist at age nine. Since then she has toured Europe, achieved a B.M Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music in Boston, won songwriting awards, played in numerous pop, jazz and country cover and original bands and released 3 CD’s. Julie Kinscheck is mother to 5 year old twins, Caleb and Hannah and wife to producer/ keyboardist Ralph Kinscheck.
About
" She's got a great voice... you'll love Julie..." - Metronome Magazine
"We love her artistry! That's why we come back every week to hear her!"
- Larry, a fan
"Every time she sings it moves my heart"- Gail Scott-Key, TV Announcer
Julie Kinscheck's original music is a unique blend of her folk roots, her Vocal Jazz improvisation and her love of New Country and a good groove! She will sing a beautiful ballad with soaring high notes and subtle syncopations, then throw a scat solo on a country rocker! She'll even sing the guitar solos on "House of the Rising Sun"!
At once socially conscious and spiritual, her lyrics bring personal stories of love and struggle like the jazzy "He Called", "Grace" or the oft requested "Always Kiss Goodnight"* and universal themes of growing up and facing ourselves as in the tender "Memory Lane", introspective "Martha, Martha" or anthem "American Memory".
And let's not forget humor! Enjoys clever lyrics and funny stories from Julie's life that you just might relate to! Listen for "Secure In Heart", "Get in the Water" and more.
* Custom Songwriting: Julie enjoys writing custom songs for weddings. Dozens of happy couples have enjoyed a personal love song written and performed by Julie about their own love story. Contact her to learn more and order this special gift for your upcoming wedding! She's even writes many songs for specific holidays: "Are We Thankful?" for Thanksgiving, "The Greatest Gift" for Christmas, and "Our Hearts Burned Within Us" for Easter!
Teaching: Because of her extensive work teaching music to children, Click Here: "Lessons & Coaching" for information of private voice or guitar lessons, both in church and the public schools, there is special attention given in many of her lyrics to the challenges faced by the next generation. Listen for "Colorgate" and "Where is the Boy".
Detailed Bio: Some know me as “The Queen of SCAT”. Others have heard me sing at church, a conference or at a restaurant. My friends know me as a middle aged mom of twins who has faced infertility, a stalker, childhood divorce, a husband with chronic illness and miracles of faith- who wants to give others hope and point people to God with her songs- and have some fun on the way!
In 2008, I finally put out my debut solo artist CD: Grace With Jazz on Top! This is a CD of all original songs by me, recorded with my husband Ralph on keys and my big brothers Chris and Gary on bass and drums! It's a little bit of country over folk roots, spiced with jazz and full of heart. Please go to my personal website: www.julieksings.com to learn more!
God and I have not always been on the same schedule! Waiting for His timing has been a constant struggle in my life. There’s a song on my independent CD called “A Little Time” which makes the case that we need to be patient, because some things just take a little time! My journey as a singer- songwriter has certainly done just that!
When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a singing star! I started playing guitar and writing my own songs at age 9, performing them at school talent shows and churches. I was a cute little, folky, flower child with long flowing blond hair. I used to walk to gymnastic practice after elementary school singing at the top of my lungs hoping someone would discover me (In the small town of Ithaca, NY!)!
My Dad was a radical minister who sang opera and almost got jailed for resisting the draft during the Vietnam war. My Mom was a feminist poet and my brothers were hippy rock musicians (bass and drums); we even lived on a commune for a while. It was a wild ride, but they all supported my music. While others took drugs to get high- I turned to music. I longed to express my heart and somehow make a difference with the songs I wrote.
Years went by, I nearly got picked up by ABBA producer Richard Gillinson in London when I was over the pond as an exchange student in Germany, but it didn’t happen.
Instead, I went to Oberlin College for a while in Ohio, got some traditional music training and eventually ended up at Berklee college of music in Boston where I received a full scholarship and fell in LOVE with vocal jazz. I became a SCAT singer. I love to improvise. I am known in some circles for my “vocal trumpet”.
I continued to write music and was even named one of the most promising unsigned songwriters by the National Academy of Songwriters in 1991- but I was also a new born Christian at the time and probably blew my big moment on stage by sharing my faith at this very secular showcase- Though I am sure God was pleased!
Even before my conversion, in my mission to make a difference, I wrote songs and sang for protest rallies, Suicide Prevention and Special Olympics and more.(Listen to my song “American Memory” written after 911.)
In recent years I have been a strong supporter of (and at times performer for) Hope Worldwide and Compassion International. I continue to sing for the elderly, Veterans, the handicapped and many other charity and benefit events.
I have also sung with numerous bands and groups doing original and cover rock, jazz, country, folk even a cappella music- several of them looked like we might go somewhere- then we broke up. Rescue Squad and Sound Doctrine both had some great material. My A ‘cappella Gospel Jazz band: Faith in Action got to do a live TV show with Bobby McFerrin, even put out a Live CD – then we disbanded. But it's a wonderful worshipful (and fun) project- hear it at www.fia-boston.com.
It was when I got nodes the first time- the curse for a singer- (eventually needing surgery to repair them.) that I first truly searched out God's Word for answers and made Jesus Lord of my life in the waters of baptism- My song "Get in the Water" tells the story Dixie Land style! Thankfully, to God’s glory, I fully recovered!
While I was struggling to get my music career off the ground, playing clubs, weddings- whatever I could to get by, taking telemarketing jobs of many varieties- I fell in love: first with Jesus, who helped me get my head back on straight and hope for my future again- then with a talented young keyboardist and audio engineer named Ralph Kinscheck. You can hear the sparks starting to fly in my song: “Coffee Song” on my current CD! Wildy World described it as “delightful innuendo that is family friendly!”
We married and had a wonderful and crazy first year- then he started getting sick. It has taken many years, prayers and tears- but God has at last led Ralph back to health- another test of God's timing- a story for another day!
In the midst of all this challenge I REALLY WANTED CHILDREN! If I had had children when I first wanted them, it would have been very hard on us- given Ralph's health struggles- so God does know what he’s doing as much as we can’t see it at the time!
I got so I hated Mother’s Day. We tried all medical options- had people all over praying for us and at last, after two rounds of invitro- we had our beloved twins Caleb and Hannah who are now 5. Please listen to my song “Precious” written about them while still in the womb.
Finally, I became a teacher. I began teaching music through the children’s ministry at church, directing choirs and leading the music for the large annual preteen camps. Our CD "The Force" is Christian rock theme songs from 9 years of those camps! Check out www.myspace.com/ptbband Eventually, I expanded to teaching in the public schools and also teaching private voice and guitar lessons.
I continue to direct music through the church with preschool up to teens and adults.
And I keep singing at conferences and coffee houses, benefits and BBQ's and of course church. I am writing more and more vertical worship songs lately, too- that will show up in future recordings.
I pray I can be an inspiration for other women my age to not give up on their dreams.☺
