How Live Music Has Survived the Pandemic: Jess Wedden

Peter Bird | Mar 01, 2023

Jess Wedden is a Canadian fiddler, singer, songwriter, finger-style guitarist, and step-dancer, from Tichborne, Ontario. Presently performing with Chris Murphy, Jessica Pearson and the East Wind, and appearing as a guest with Turpin’s Trail.

"There are many players of fiddle music in Canada, and it takes quite a performance for one to stand out from the next. Jess is that kind of performer. She plays with her heart and brings audiences everything from passion and style, to trick fiddling that I wouldn't even dare try. You'll never have more fun watching and hearing a fiddler play than you do at her shows. She is one of the best performers I've had the privilege to appear on stage with, and I can't wait till our next chance to do the same." Ashley MacIsaac

(Ashley MacIsaac is a Canadian fiddler, singer and song-writer from Cape Breton Island with three Juno Awards)

Q. Jess, how old were you when you first performed on stage?

A. I was 10 yrs. old when I played my first performance at the Portland Community Church in Verona, Ontario. I’d been playing fiddle for a year and my fiddle was quite out of tune. (laughs) Soon after that, I saw Scott Woods perform in Merrickville Ontario. When I spoke with him during the intermission, my mum told him I had started to play the fiddle. He invited me to be a guest on the next show when he was in this area, and I did get to play on stage with him. After I got off stage I said to my mum, “this is what I want to do!”

Q. How did your parents react to that?

A. My mum took to it very well. She learned how to play bass and started performing with me. My dad took me to lots of open mics until I started getting hired.

Q. When did you first meet Chris Murphy?

A. I met Chris when I was 12 at a fundraiser for Hotel Dieu in Kingston. Jon McLurg was there too. I didn’t have a guitarist, so my mum suggested that Chris Murphy, who was performing there, could back me for the show. Chris agreed and we had a successful show. I asked Chris if he would be my permanent guitarist, but due to a number of upcoming shows also, he suggested Jon might be able to help out. I've been playing with Jon since. I'm also really grateful to be performing with Chris now as well.

Q. How did you like playing with Jon?

A. I loved playing the guitar with Jon. The really wonderful thing is that I started playing with him when I was so young. I was easily influenced by the people around me and he is a perfect role model. I began learning guitar because I was inspired by Jon and his guitar playing. He gave me several guitar lessons, which really helped me out. I also play the mandolin and I’m learning the hammered dulcimer.

Q. You and Chris have recently begun backing David Francey. You met him at school I believe?

A. I first met David Francey in one of my high school music classes. He came to teach us song-writing, and he liked my guitar playing. He found out I was a fiddle player from my teacher and he wanted to hear me play, so we arranged for David to come and see my show in Perth. Afterwards, he gave me a couple of his CDs, and invited me to join him for his upcoming Christmas show. We’ve been good friends since then.

Q. You must be enjoying these gigs with Chris and David.

A. I have a lot of fun performing with them. Your bandmates become a part of your family. That's the case for me with Chris and David. I admire them both. They're so supportive and I'm grateful that Chris and I have the opportunity to accompany David. I'm a big fan of David. He's the coolest person I know. It's a great experience.

Q. How do you fit in with Turpin’s Trail?

A. It feels pretty natural, although I am only a guest. As I was growing up, I had worked with Jon already, I was quite familiar with many of the songs they sing. I already knew Jon, but I didn’t get to know Chris until I started performing with him. I always knew him as a musician and hoped I would be able to learn as many instruments as he could play. They all make me feel so welcome, and I definitely feel at home with them now.

Q. How do you feel now compared, to when you started out 10 years ago?

A. My fiddle music writing has definitely improved. I find my perception of things has improved. We don't realise what gifts we've been given in life, and now I find myself looking back and being grateful for the wonderful things that have happened to me. I want to give back. I want to use this gift God has given me. If I can glorify him, that would be my biggest accomplishment.

Q. Can you comment on your recent trip to Ireland?

A. This was a fantastic trip with Jessica Pearson and the East Wind. Jessica and Sam are amongst my closest friends. I started playing fiddle, and sing harmonies with them last summer. They wanted to do some publicity and also attend Ireland's Folk Music Conference. I had the opportunity to attend some workshops and watch other performers, which was really inspiring. One of my favourite parts of the trip was seeing St. Macartan's Cathedral. It was built in the 1800's, and it was astonishing. It is the most beautiful place I have ever been.

Q. Are you appearing with Turpin’s Trail in their St. Patrick’s Day concerts?

A. I'm excited to be joining Turpin's Trail for their St. Patrick’s Day shows ! I had plans of touring Iceland with Jessica Pearson and the East Wind, but now we’ll do that in April! This opportunity came about through a viral video of us entertaining passengers on our plane when we were grounded for 10 hours after landing in Iceland on our way to Dublin. I'm so grateful we actually landed safely. The winds were so strong that even when we did land, the wings of the plane were shaking. No one was able to get off because it was too dangerous. After 6 hours, we were encouraged by the pilot and flight attendants to play some music, so we played a set that included originals and requests from the Beatles, The Chick's, John Denver and more. Icelandair was so beyond grateful, that they want to help sponsor our future flights.

Jess has a beguiling smile and an energetic and passionate stage presence that is winning over audiences everywhere. She was 12 years old when she recorded her CD, Fiddling is My Passion, earning her national recognition as a 2016 Canadian Folk Music Award nominee, and again nominated in 2018 for her composition, “One More Time”. Jess was also recognized as a semi-finalist in the 2018 Canadian Song-writing Competition. Jess continues to develop her extensive combination of musical and step dance artistry. It's no surprise she received a standing ovation opening for Ashley MacIsaac at the Festival of Small Halls Ontario.

Upcoming appearances: check out Jess Wedden Home Page: https://www.jesswedden.ca/