Jessica Wedden

Jessica on the move, 2017

Jessica Wedden is a soft spoken young woman with a room-lighting smile. She’s also a child prodigy who has established a solid musical career at the age of 16.

Music is her passion. She is a fiddler, trick fiddler, step dancer and composer who already boasts an impressive track record of award nominations and appearances with industry greats since launching her career with her first CD at age 12. Jessica defines her upbeat Canadian fiddle style as Celtic, East Coast and Ottawa Valley. She plays folk, country and bluegrass fiddle as well.

With her fiddle teacher, Cindy Thompson

Youthful enthusiam

Jessica experienced her first taste of the fiddle at a local potluck at age nine. Shortly thereafter, she began her studies with Cindy McCall at the Blue Skies Community Fiddle Orchestra of Maberly. Since then, she has developed and refined her style under the guidance of professional fiddle teacher, Cindy Thompson of Almonte. Her other musical influences include Shane Cook, Tim Chaisson of the East Pointers, Scott Woods, Ashley MacIsaac and Natalie MacMaster.

Jessica was nominated for 2018 Young Performer of the Year in the 14th annual Canadian Folk Music Awards, her second nomination for this award, having also been a contender in 2016 for her first CD. She was a semifinalist in the Under 18 category in the 2018 Canadian Songwriting Competition for her original fiddle medley as well as a semifinalist in Toronto’s CNE Rising Star Talent Competition in 2017.

She was one of five young Ontario musicians chosen to take part in the Folk Music Ontario (FMO) Developing Artist Program in October 2018, which included one-on-one mentoring by a professional. The program coincided with the FMO Annual Conference. Jessica was assigned to work with fiddler Laura C. Bates of Toronto.

“The FMO Developing Artist Program was life changing. I'm so fortunate I was chosen to be a part of this educational and adventurous opportunity. I loved having Laura C. Bates as my mentor, and I even had tears on the last day, since I knew I was going to miss her so much! It was a blessing to meet Laura, and I loved meeting so many other amazing people as well! I enjoyed every moment and learned SO much!!” she posted on social media.

Jessica and Ashley MacIsaac, 2017

Perhaps more telling than her growing list of professional accolades are the many opportunities she’s had to take the stage at major events and to play alongside so many industry greats. She performed at the 2016 Havelock Country Jamboree, Canada's largest outdoor country music festival at the time, as well as at Ottawa’s National Gallery of Canada and Toronto’s WinterFolk Festival. One of Jessica’s most memorable moments was opening for multiple Juno award-winning fiddler, Ashley MacIsaac, at the Festival of Small Halls Ontario in 2017. She was thrilled to receive a standing ovation and an invitation to join him on stage.

“Last Friday and Saturday night I have had the unreal opportunity and amazing time opening for Ashley MacIsaac and playing some tunes on stage with him for the Festival of Small Halls Ontario! Ashley MacIsaac is a three time Juno Award winner and is a huge fiddling inspiration to me! We all had a great time, and we're so honoured that we had the privilege to meet Ashley and open for him!” she posted on social media.

On stage with Shawn McCullough, 2017

She also graced the stage as a special guest of Canadian bluegrass/folk/celtic multi-instrumentalist J.P. Cormier, Canadian Fiddle Champion Scott Woods, Larry Mercey of the seven time Juno Award winning Mercy Brothers Band and another of her musical heros, Shawn McCullough, at the second annual Roots on the Clyde Festival in August 2017.

“I'm a big fan of Shawn McCullough!! It was an amazing experience playing with him for Roots on the Clyde!!” she posted.

Shawn replied, “That was so much fun Jessica! You are an amazing talent and I can’t wait to see where the future takes you.”

With Bill Welychka of CKWS TV

Her public poise and persona have been honed further by numerous appearances on television and by radio interviews. She has been featured by several news outlets including Celtic Life International and Inside Ottawa Valley News.

Mom Valerie Wedden and Jessica, 2016

Jessica grew up, or rather is still growing up, in the rural area of Sharbot Lake, about an hour’s drive north of Kingston, Ontario. Her mother, Valerie Wedden, acts as her agent and manager. Valerie is also an amateur musician, playing fiddle and guitar, and the two enjoy playing together on occasion. Jessica is working to expand her musical repertoire with guitar and piano as well as vocals, and she is taking singing lessons. She is also a talented artist and enjoys drawing in pencil.

Jessica and Jon McClurg

Jessica partners regularly with Kingston area singer-songwriter and guitarist, Jon McCLurg, American Songwriting Magazine’s former Lyric Contest winner. They met in June 2016 while both appearing at a fundraiser, and they've been performing together ever since, offering their audiences a variety of lively tunes and step dancing, along with Jon’s songs of reflection, wisdom, and truth. His talent has greatly inspired Jessica to learn finger style guitar under Jon's guidance. He composes most of the songs for the band he performs with, Turpin’s Trail, and also plays with The Goodnight Irene’s and The Happy Grass Travellers.

Jessica also plays often with multi-instrumentalist Bruce Barton of Maberly, Ontario. A retired university biology professor, Bruce is an upbeat guitar, mandolin, and tenor banjo player. He belongs to the vocal folk trio, Lost For Words, and the contra dance group, The Ever Hopeful String Band.

Trick fiddling at the Havelock Country Jamboree, 2016

As well as major events, Jessica maintains a busy schedule, logging over 60 performances this year alone. She performs at festivals, fairs, private house parties, weddings, schools, fundraisers and community functions. Regardless of the magnitude of the event, Jessica says that she always enjoys the opportunity to share her music and please her audiences.

This informal video features Jessica playing the instrumental tune, Foxglove, composed by Bruce Cockburn

Jessica had the opportunity to meet and chat with Canadian icon Bruce Cockburn at the Canadian Folk Music Awards gala in 2016

2017 Promo Video: Jessica performing with Bruce Barton at The Next Country Music Star Talent Search at The Ranch Resort in Bethany, Ontario

Despite her youth, Jessica Wedden has a luminous stage presence that captivates audiences with her talent, versatility and showmanship. Her love of music and passion for her instrument shine through every note. The future looks very bright for this young performer.

Find her at
www.jessicawedden.ca
Facebook www.facebook.com/JessicaWedden
Instagram www.instagram.com/JessicaWedden