ReverbNation contacted the editor of Bozeman Magazine in early 2013 to feature local and regional artists touring in the Bozeman area. This is the sixth artist of the month brought to you by ReverbNation and Bozeman Magazine.

About a year ago, I received a call from a woman asking if I’d book her 11 year old daughter who played guitar. The mom explained how they were touring around Montana from their home in Colorado, and the bookers for the traditional Bozeman bar venues didn’t want to take a chance with an underage kid. Wild Joe*s was her last hope. I thought, how cute: a kiddie novelty act. Mom said she’d send an email with a few samples of her daughters playing. A few minutes later I clicked on a YouTube link titled “Jaden Carlsen Blues Traveler.” The clip began with a bunch of older guys – it was John Popper and his band Blues Traveller, on stage playing an R&B number with bluesy harmonica and guitar solos. Then a person half the size of her bandmates walks up. It’s a young girl with a woolen cap holding an electric guitar way too big for her small body. She looks up at Popper, he points to her and says “Go.” The girl breaks into an extended guitar solo that might have been recorded at The Fillmore in 1969. I was impressed, to say the very least. I emailed Jaden’s manager mom back. YES, absolutely. We’d love to have your daughter play at Wild Joe*s.

A few weeks later, a Monday school night, we were totally sold out… and then some. The SRO crowd was the largest Wild Joe*s had ever seen. We had to turn people away. The audience included dozens of school-age kids (including my 9 year old daughter) and their parents, probably hoping Jaden might be an example and inspire their child to take the piano and violin lessons more seriously. But also in the audience were a lot of people like me: older music fans who’d grown up on Cream, The Yardbirds, Led Zep and Hendrix. Most were skeptical of the hype about Jaden. But when she started to play, they were transfixed. Big goofy grins were the default facial expression. Jaden was the real deal: an electric guitar prodigy channeling the great guitarists of the ages. But rather than sounding like an oldies show, Jaden’s playing was so intuitive, joyful, technically brilliant and fresh, we soon forgot she was an 11 year old girl. She might have been a young Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page or Eric Clapton. She was that good.

 

- Ron Gompertz Wild Joe’s Coffee Spot

Jaden Carlson blows minds. Possessing an amazing ear and an insatiable passion for playing and performing, her abilities as a guitarist, singer and songwriter are truly astounding. Jaden’s path was determined very early. While attending a Michael Franti and Spearhead concert, she decided on the spot that she “wanted to play music and make people happy like that.” The rest is history in the making…

 

To date, Jaden has independently released three CDs, the most recent being a live acoustic titled “Born To Fly.” Her band is comprised of herself on lead guitar and vocals, Will Trask on drums, percussion and backing vocals, and Eric Luba on left-hand bass and keys and backing vocals. Together they bring a wealth of musical knowledge, experience and prowess to each performance, and an irresistible and dynamic energy that has their audiences begging for more.

Jaden has shared the stage with many notable artists including Michael Franti and Spearhead, John Popper and Blues Traveller, Trevor Hall, Groundation, and many others. She has the honor of being the youngest artist to legitimately perform at Red Rocks Ampitheater…twice. She has played the 1stBank Center, the Fox and Boulder Theaters, the Odgen, Fillmore, Gothic and Bluebird Theaters in Denver, and the House of Blues in San Diego, among many others. Jaden also performs frequently at the some of the nation’s biggest festivals, including Telluride Jazz Celebration, Telluride Blues and Brews, Power To The Peaceful, ARISE Festival, Bohemian Nights at New West Fest, The Werkout, and more.

 

The Jaden Carlson Band’s repertoire is sure to include something for any music lover. From her stunning originals to a vast and varied collection of covers, encompassing many genres and artists, anyone is sure to become a lifelong fan of their original brand of fun, engaging and inspiring music that gets people moving… and asking for more.