by Jeffrey Stoodt

The Milton Music Series has been an unmitigated success. It has brought many new visitors into the Milton Art Center and added zest to the nascent nightlife in East Milton Square. You’ve got one last chance to see and hear what all the excitement’s about before a short winter break is taken.

On Saturday December 6 at 7:30 the incredibly beautiful voice and sophisticated songwriting of Jennifer Kimball will grace the stage. Perhaps you’ve heard of her through her brief association with Jonatha Brooke in a group called The Story.

This duo’s releases on Elektra Records in the early 1990s were critically celebrated – at the time, New York Times critic Stephen Holden called them “the last word in elegant folk-pop refinement.” Their notoriety led to opening on a tour with Jackson Browne.

After their partnership dissolved a few years later, both women carved out strong careers as solo performers. Jennifer Kimball, who one critic dubbed the Art Garfunkel to Jonatha Brooke’s Paul Simon, gradually developed a reputation as a sterling and meticulous songwriter.

Her solo debut, Veering From the Wave, arrived in 1998. The prestigious website All Music called this release “an engaging debut that suggests she is an adult contemporary vocalist of considerable potential. The best moments on the album are elegant, almost soulful, thanks to her rich vocals…Kimball’s talents leave a lasting impression. One to watch.”

Eight years later came Jennifer’s followup, Oh Hear Us. Once again, All Music was quite flattering, calling the release “literate, versatile, accomplished singer/songwriter music. Those who view her as a continuation of classic performers in the style such as Joni Mitchell will find much to latch on to in that direction, both in Kimball’s sophisticated vocal phrasing and the occasionally jazzy flavors.”

During the gaps between album releases Jenn kept quite busy collaborating with a variety of artists, providing backup vocals for artists like Patty Larkin, Catie Curtis, Tony Trischka, and Kris Delmhorst. For a short time she and her husband Ry Cavanaugh formed a group called Maybe Baby, and she has also recorded with the groups the Wayfaring Stangers and Session Americana.

Now Jennifer Kimball is back preparing a new release. She’ll feature songs from it at the Art Center show, as well as getting her audience in a holiday mood by performing “wintery” tunes from her popular annual show at Passim in Cambridge.

Opening for Jennifer Kimball will be Milton’s own Geof Shaw. Tickets (priced at $20) are available by going to the Milton Art Center website (www.miltonartcenter.org) You’ll find a recent interview with Kimball there.
There’s no place like MAC for the holidays!