By Kate Bartlett
Jen Mulhern, stage name Jenuine Cello, has earned her title as a captivating one-woman band. Playing vibrant cello textures looped and layered to create the songs within her heart, Jen engages audiences around the country with her talent. Living her years split between Buffalo, New York, and South Padre Island, Texas, Jen frequents the local Western New York music scene and gains inspiration from local musicians.
Jen started playing cello in sixth grade as part of a music elective in her middle school. She attributes her early love for cello, and music, to the accessibility of this public school program. “Once I picked it up, I never put it down,” recalls Jen. “I gravitated towards the cello and once I started learning, I just loved it even more.”
Jen began as a classically trained cellist and played in various city, state and regional orchestras throughout her high school career. She gained her Bachelors of Arts Degree in Music Performance at Texas State University, and then began expanding into more contemporary music. “I had an affinity for various types of music,” says Jen, “I wanted to explore that with cello, so I began playing by ear. I enjoyed exploring non-traditional styles and various genres, things people wouldn’t expect to hear on cello. It was/is much different than playing sheet music; it can be intimidating exploring music off the page.”
Eventually, Jen began writing her own original music, and officially named her project “Jenuine Cello” in 2014. “I wanted something easy that captured my music, while incorporating some of my name. Jenuine Cello was simple and to the point, it suited me. In classical music, everything is very close to perfect. In my music, I don’t promise perfection, by I always promise to be genuine, from the heart.”
While Jen’s performances are completely solo, her sound is layered and complex with the use of a looper device. “I began using the looper in a series of concerts in Austin, Texas,” explains Jen. “The looper allows the ability to record layers of my music, enabling the ability to capture melody and style while still being the only musician.”
Jen surrendered to her music, and became a full-time musician in 2017, when she also moved to San Padre Island. Three years later, during the Pandemic in 2020, she took her first trip to Buffalo, and recorded a series of Facebook live music series called Porch Sessions. “These series were my way of continuing to bring live music during the pandemic, when so many people needed it most. It was an attempt to bring some joy, some brightness during a time of such dark.”
Since 2020, Jen has been returning to the Western New York region every year from June through September and enjoys playing at various venues in the area. “Western New York has such a rich, diverse music scene. I’m proud to be a part of it, but even more-so inspired by these talented musicians. The high-quality music in Buffalo is plentiful and it fills my cup.”
Jen is currently playing every Saturday throughout August in both Chautauqua and Ellicottville. She starts at Ellicottville Brewing Company in Bemus Point playing during brunch along Chautauqua Lake, then travels to Ellicottville to play at EBC Tap + Bottle Taqueria from 7-9pm. “The vibe on their patio is so intimate; it’s a great setting to play, tucked away from the main street. The dinner crowd changes every time. Sometimes I’m background music, other times people are watching intently, engaging with my music. No evening is the same, yet it’s always special none-the-less.”
She recently released her new album, Loopholes, of original songwriting and arranging with cello and vocals in April 2024. The album features 10 tracks of Jen’s unique material and is available on her website, and soon on streaming platforms.
Jen’s favorite thing about performing is being able to provide ‘musical chills’. “You know those chills you get when you hear a song you love, or when music just hits you. I love getting those chills, and being able to give people that feeling is incredible.”
As an artist, Jen finds inspiration by hearing music unexpected of cello. “I appreciate all types of music, and I’m always looking for something different to play. I love helping people hear familiar music in a new way; it’s exciting yet familiar at the same time.”
Jen is active in music programs in community schools in Texas and Buffalo; she actively brings Jenuine Cello to school-aged orchestra students in both states and has a history of teaching and workshopping at camps, schools and music festivals. “It’s so important to make music accessible to young artists and beginner musicians. I like to demonstrate that cello, or any instrument, can be explored in more non-traditional ways, really however your heart desires.”
For more information visit https://jenuinecello.com/ and follow on social media for upcoming events, listen to her music at www.jenuinecello.com and https://bandcamp.com/jenuinecello