Nikki Jean Talks About Recently Released Album 'Pennies In A Jar'

By Melony Roy

What do music industry greats like Burt Bacharach, Carole King and Lupe Fiasco have in common? That would be 28 year old singer-songwriter Nikki Jean.

Born Nicole Jean Leary in St. Paul, Minnesota, she grew up watching old time musicals and was influenced by her mother's musical taste in Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder. She became "Nikki Jean" in high school as a way to distinguish herself from the other Nicole's.

Six years ago, Nikki Jean was invited to Philadelphia by The Roots to perform at a Labor Day BBQ, where Dice Raw--an MC, songwriter, producer, and the protégé of the Roots--asked Jean to join the Philly-based music group "Nouveau Riche." After releasing two EPs, "Nouveau Riche Longtail" and "Free Money," the group disbanded in 2008.

In the summer of 2011, Nikki Jean released her debut album, "Pennies in a Jar," for S- Curve records. It took three years and travelling thousands of miles all over the country to work with her songwriting heroes, including Carly Simon, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Webb, Carole King and Tom Bell, to name a few.

"Pennies in a Jar" is a concept album reminiscent of classic pop music, and it honors the craft of songwriting as it existed in the mid-20th century. And the title of the album is not only a track; Jean takes a more artistic approach to it.

"Art is so subjective. With pennies in a jar, do you save them for rainy days or do you spend them? I don't know," Jean says.

When asked what inspires her, Jean says, "Writing songs that can bring people together."

Listen to the interview...

For more information on Nikki Jean, visit her website at www.nikkijeanmusic.com.