about jake and jenny
Winners of the 2023 Mississippi Music Awards for Country Band of the Year!
Jake Diorio and Jenny Markell are an unlikely musical duo- he's from south central Pennsylvania and she's a lifelong Bostonian. He's from the country, she's mostly city, and they are as opposite as a partnership could be. However, as an acoustic duo, it's their strength. Together, they bring their individual tastes and talents to create a unique take on country and pop, meshing the two genres together, at times even in one song. Why not layer a little Johnny Cash with Janis Joplin?
In addition to performing covers, they write their own original music. Their first single "You Said" delves into the emotional unavailability of an all talk, no action partner while their second song "Wine and Whiskey" is a lighthearted, fun musical vacation from all the things weighing you down in the world.
This award winning pair is a must-see, playing a variety of venues from a casual bar scene to private events. They are truly doing something different within the country genre and it's going to catch fire. Jake and Jenny, beyond anything else, have a passion and love of music and performing and strive to create an enjoyable experience for their audience.
Review of Jake & Jenny, Local Catch of the Week
By Carolyn Kruse of Boston's Country 102.5FM:
"Simplicity is a beautiful thing. If we’ve learned nothing else from the pandemic, we’ve learned that. Enjoying sunsets, comfy clothes, home cooked meals, and music stripped down. We saw live performances, but most of them were acoustic, and on line. But didn’t you come to appreciate acoustic music more than ever?
The authenticity of Jake and Jenny’s music is refreshing. It’s pure. Free from big production complications, the story is easily heard and understood. The story leads you and the melody keeps you.
On paper, this duo seems unlikely. They are from different parts of the country, different backgrounds. She’s a city girl, he’s a country boy, yet they find strength and harmony in their individuality.
When I first heard “Wine and Whiskey” my thoughts went immediately to the sounds and the simplicity of folk music in the 1960s and 70s. Like many of the folk acts of the time, Peter, Paul and Mary didn’t need much but their voices, their stories and their guitars. I sense that in the music of Jake and Jenny. Their latest song is very reminiscent of this era and the genre. They cut through all of the noise and distraction to have their songs be heard, as intended. And it’s melodic clarity."