Tracy Jane Comer

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"It is the very inability of the critic to easily hem her into a box that points to Tracy Comer's magnificent songwriting abilities."
- A&R Select

Tracy Jane Comer's acoustic songwriting demands a cultivated palette to fully appreciate the burst of diverse flavors at play in her music. Her skills as an artist are readily apparent in the way she flawlessly weaves together her various influences into a whole that is seamless yet still puts on full display the distinct aspects of the various styles contributing to her sound.

"Although her music is acoustic based,the arrangements go much deeper, culling from classical, folk, jazz, pop and rock...Comer's work is diverse and dynamic. Upon each listen more subtle sounds and styles unfold...Tracy Jane Comer is a musical force... "
- Kweevak’s Tracks, 2004

Emotional Range: Comer's focus on exploring as many facets of human emotion as possible has much to do with the rich textures of her acoustic music. Of all art forms, music is that with which she has the most intimate relationship and therein lie her strongest creative talents, so it's only natural that her fascination with the human spirit should manifest via exciting songs. "I connect deeply with music and enjoy experiencing a wide range of emotions through it – elation, joy, pain, loneliness, sadness, angst, longing, love, empathy and more," Comer says.

Value :  As if music needed justification, Comer's certainly justifies its existence by its deep understanding of the heart and its profound expression of the things that make people tick on the purest levels. But Comer is quick to point out that, whatever style or subject matter, music is its own reason for existing, thanks to its inherent beauty, its effect on society and its very nature as something the human race requires for its psychological survival. Or, as Comer puts it: "Music has intrinsic value and positive impact on our world and is an important and innate human need."

Interesting and Unique: Comer is drawn to forms of musical expression that are distinctive and original. It's what she likes to listen to, it's what she likes to write and perform – and such originality is what inspires her, regardless of genre. "I am inspired by many forms of music," she says. "I am drawn to music that is interesting and unique in some aspect – melody, harmonization and/or rhythm, and music that has a lot of dynamic interest (variable textures in sections, variations in loudness, dramatic build, etc.)."

THE ARTIST AT WORK 

Comer has opened for Willy Porter, Holly Near, Peter Mulvey, The Wailin' Jennys, Ellis Paul, L.J. Booth, Mary McCaslin, Cathy Barton, Ed Trickett and others. She has also performed as cellist with Holly Brook. Comer has been champ in a number of songwriting contests, some international in scope. She judged the folk category of the Midwest Song Contest in 2007. The MTV show Made has featured her music and she has received radio airplay around the world. Comer is a five-time Madison Area Music Awards nominee and was tapped to perform for that program with her full band. She has a background in classical music and is often lauded for her guitar work. "Like Patty Larkin, I believe women CAN play guitar!" She also a skilled pianist and cellist (skills she has used in service to other musicians), and plays some fiddle and hammered dulcimer. She eschews genre pigeon-holing and writes music that defies categorization. Comer is currently working with A&R Select, the hottest indie A&R firm in Hollywood, CA.

Recordings: Tracy has released three CDs and two live concert DVDs, plus a CD with side project Sticky Fingers. She has also appeared as guest artist (cello, guitar, vocals, fiddle, hammered dulcimer) on recordings for other artists, and her music has also appeared on compilations published by Spiritone Records.

Presentation: Tracy performs primarily in the midwest and southeast, as a soloist or as a duo (with supporting artist Randy Green on backing guitar/piano) or occasionally with trio or full band. As a skilled multi-instrumentalist (guitar, piano, cello, dulcimer, fiddle and more), Tracy also enjoys doing collaborative shows with others and is part of standing collaborative projects including 3 of Cups (with Rachel Nelson of Minnesota), Sticky Fingers (with Michael Bryant and Damon Bourne of Madison), and Likely Stories (with Nancy Rost and Dave Schindele). She also is a member of classical chamber groups including Alchemy Ensemble and Elixir Chamber Trio.

BACKGROUND 

Tracy was born and spent her youth in North Carolina (Wilmington and Raleigh). She is now based in Madison, WI where she lives with her husband, Allen. She studied music at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Peace College, East Carolina University, the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has an extensive musical background that includes collegiate study in classical piano, cello, theory, and musicology, private instruction in violin, voice, and guitar (classical and acoustic fingerstyle), plus involvement with folk, pop/rock, choral and theater music and many things in between…even a touch of blues and jazz. Tracy has extensive experience accompanying for choirs, instrumentalists, vocalists, and musical theater and has also conducted and arranged for choirs, handbells, and instrumental ensembles.

"This singer/songwriter is key to moving the whole darn genre forward. Her sound is mature and soaked with talent throughout…" - Smother.Net Ezine