Boston-based singer-songwriter and children’s performer, Vanessa Trien, has become a local rock star among the young and young at heart. The “Nessa Groupies” sing and dance in the aisles at her packed shows with her lively band, the Jumping Monkeys, and can’t get enough of her two award-winning children’s CDs, ‘Carnival Day’ and ‘Hot Air Balloon.’
As Boston Children’s Music puts it, “Vanessa’s shows are perfect. It’s hard to explain and I can’t quite put my finger on what it is they do differently, but whatever it is, it really gets the kids (and parents) excited!…She has some sort of magical energy that makes all of her shows super fun…”
Growing up in New York City, Vanessa Trien cut her musical teeth on family folk sing-alongs, but she blossomed while living in Costa Rica, singing, recording, and performing with an Afro-Caribbean band and later writing and performing her own material. A subsequent move to Boston introduced Trien into the heart of New England’s thriving folk music scene.
Like many of the moms here in Brookline, I have a minor obsession with Vanessa Trien. It’s not just because she’s an incredible musician who has followed her dreams and released two outstanding albums for children. It’s not just because she has a beautiful smile and a wonderful way with kids. It’s not just because she’s a warm, kind and generous person. It’s not just because her voice is like warm honey. It’s not just because my son and my nephew are both mini-groupies. It’s the sum of all these things that make her such a special part of our community…
– Sheri Gurock, Magic Beans’ “Spilling the Beans” Blog
