Jennifer Howell was born and raised in Hollywood , CA , and music was always a big part of her life.  As a child, her hippie-liberal mother dragged her to folk festivals, blues shows, Cajun-Zydeco dances and bluegrass banjo & fiddle contests.  There was always music on in the house, especially Peter, Paul & Mary, The Mamas & The Papas, and The Beatles.  These influences began Jennifer’s love of music and harmony.

Her singing experience had started at home before she entered school, but she joined the school choir in first grade and was positively furious that they would not allow her to do so in kindergarten.  School policy was that kindergarteners are not mature enough for the school choir. Jen was angry at the time, but is completely over it now. Hasn’t given it a second thought. Moved on. Much more mature now. Can’t you tell?

Jennifer stayed in the school choir all the way through to 12^th grade, giving her lots of harmony experience.  She recorded 2 CDs in the early 90’s, a folk-roots album with Mark Humphrey and another with Mark Humphrey and Chitravina Ravikiran, which was an eclectic mix of old American folk ballads coupled with traditional East Indian Music.  She has also been a backup singer in several other bands in the South Bay area, including Tres Con Arroz, a Latin Jazzy funk band, 50 Cent Haircut (uncategorizable!) and Dirty Martini, a top 40 cover band.  Jennifer is thrilled to be a part of Doctor Wu, and relishes the intricate harmonies of Steely Dan.