essence

Award winning singer-songwriter Essence has been immersed in art and music since childhood. Her birth name really is ‘Essence’ – she was raised by quintessential flower children. As a sixth generation native of San Francisco, her parents were two free spirited bohemian artists from the Haight-Ashbury ‘Summer of Love.’ Essence has released 6 CDs (with a 7th slated for release in 2020!) on both independent and major labels. She has toured nationally, opening for Jason Mraz, Shawn Colvin, Tom Petty, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Chrissie Hynde, Steve Miller, Pat Benatar, and Linda Perry. Her sound nods to songwriting legends like Tom Petty and Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton and Gillian Welch. Essence’s soon-to-be-released album is a woman’s story, as close to a tell all as you’ll find in song. It is organic, warm and steeped in the traditions of Appalachian, Americana and Roots music that Essence grew up on. Premier Bay Area band Koolerator backs Essence, with mastermind David Simon-Baker producing. A retrospective sonically but also in spirit. A dobro guitar. A banjo. Pedal steel. Fiddle. Upright bass. Church organ. Rich harmonies juxtaposed with stark simplicity. Aching loss and moments of reckoning. Two marriages lost. Two kids raised by a hard working single mom. Hard won wisdom. Real life told with disarming honesty, heart and humor.