Bio
Julie Kinscheck: Singer-Songwriter/Guitarist….. Queen of Scat!
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! Enjoy 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 been inspired by 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 written 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, Go to the “Lessons & Coaching” button on this site 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”.
Biography: Julie Kinscheck was born Julie Alice Gibbons,daughter of a Congregational minister, to a very musical family in the college town of Ithaca, New York. She began writing her own music and singing with her guitar publicly at churches and talent shows at age nine. At that time she was heavily influenced by the talents of Joni Mitchell, James Taylor and the Beatles. At the same time she was soaking in the funky stylings of Earth, Wind and Fire, The Doobie Brothers and Chaka Kahn all played by her brothers’ band.
After high school, feeling disillusioned by the lack of results she saw from her parents’ form of faith- she took off on a street musician tour of Europe where she stretched her wings and did things she hopes her daughter never will.
From there, Julie went to hone her skills in composition and arranging at Oberlin Conservatory. While there she discovered vocal jazz! She loved to scat sing, learning from heroes like Bobby McFerrin, Manhattan Transfer and Ella Fitzgerald, and began integrating improvisation into her folk style. She eventually transferred to Berklee College of Music in Boston where she achieved her Bachelor of Music, cum laude on a full scholarship, and received various vocal and songwriting awards.
At Berklee she also met her future husband, and collaborator, keyboardist Ralph Kinscheck and a mutual friend who consistently invited both Ralph and Julie to his church. Neither were interested at the time in church- or becoming friends. It took six years and several miracles to bring Julie to Christ- then another miracle to bring Ralph to the same arts ministry- where they met again and fell in love!
As Julie went after making a living in music, she immersed herself for a time in the pop sounds of Bonnie Raitt, Madonna, Gloria Estefan, and Whitney Houston; later she took a ride on the country tide, covering hot country singers like Carrie Underwood, Martina McBride, Jamie Evans and Shania Twain. Some have compared Julie to Sheryl Crow, or Edie Brickell, but better.
Having played in many original and cover bands over the years, she can cover most anything and knows how to please a crowd. She was even the musical director of the all woman a cappella gospel/ jazz group: Faith in Action for several years, collaborating with Bobby McFerrin, the Boston Ballet and others. In 2006 this group released: Faith In Action Live, a fun and yet worshipful a’cappella CD.
Finally, after stints with Christian and cover bands: Rescue Squad, Centerpiece, Sound Doctrine and Main Attraction, Julie recorded a Christian Rock CD for Kids with the band PTB, produced by Ralph. This CD, The Force, came out of the love and leadership Ralph and Julie poured into the music ministry for the Preteens in the Boston Area. See http://myspace.com/ptbband to listen and learn more.
Along the way God pulled Julie through struggles with infertility, mothering twins, fears from a stalker, financial challenges, church transitions and career insecurities… all can be found in her songs.
Julie Kinscheck is a unique blend of heart and harmony, with a passionate yet relatable stage manner making her a favorite for audiences of all ages. Join this soulful songbird’s dream to change the world heart by heart, starting with a song.
Repetoir For Secular Shows:
On solo shows Julie plays 1-4 45 minute sets (depending on contract) including a mix of original folk/jazz material and my favorite folk, jazz and country. Some favorites include: “Something to Talk About” and other Bonnie Raitt numbers, “Summertime” (jazzy version more standards available), “Wade in the Water”, “You’ve Got a Friend” (JT & Carol King), “I Hope You Dance”, “Moon Dance”, “Crazy”, “Here Comes the Sun” (and otherBeatles), “This One’s For the Girls” (plus more Martina McBride), “Big Yellow Taxi”(Plus more Joni Mitchell), as well as current material by KT Tunstall, Carrie Underwood and others.
If you are hiring her for a function or party with her cover/original band, she will include a mix of favorites from the 40′s- the 2000′s, including tunes like: “Respect”, “Get This Party Started”, “Straight Up”, “I Will Survive”, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, “Proud Mary”, “My Funny Valentine”, “Man, I Feel Like a Woman”, ”Wind Beneath My Wings”, “Conga” etc…
Alternate Web sites: www.PTBtheForce.com ,www.sonicbids.com/juliekinscheck , www.Berkleemusic.com, www.KIP-Audio.com
” 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
