Jenny Conlee
Conlee performing with The Decemberists (2009)
Conlee performing with The Decemberists (2009)
Background information
Born (1971-12-12) December 12, 1971
Seattle, Washington, U.S.[1]
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Accordion, piano, organ, keyboard, vocals, glockenspiel, melodica

Jennifer Lynn Conlee-Drizos (born December 12, 1971) is an American musician, best known as the accordionist, pianist, organist, keyboardist, melodica player, and occasional backup singer and harmonicist for the indie rock quintet The Decemberists.[2]

Musical career

Aside from her work with the Decemberists, Conlee has made guest appearances on several records by other artists, including Hush Records artist Reclinerland, Lewi Longmire, Jerry Joseph, Buoy LaRue and many others. Before the Decemberists, she played piano for the 1990s Portland, Oregon, band Calobo. She is also a member of Portland-based Casey Neill & The Norway Rats where she plays keyboards, accordion, and glockenspiel. Her most recent project is the acoustic band Black Prairie, in which she plays with a number of other Portland artists. She also founded the band KMRIA (Kiss My Royal Irish Arse), a The Pogues cover band.[3]

Jenny Conlee playing accordion with The Pogues cover band KMRIA at The High Dive in Fremont, Seattle

Conlee's accordions include a Paolo Soprani, which was on display at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame[4] and a Petosa Futura, which she described as her "regular axe".[5]

Her solo debut Tides: Pieces for Accordion and Piano was released in 2023.[6]

Television

In 2011, she appeared on Portlandia in comedic skits with Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein. She played a musician who unsuccessfully tries to play at every venue at Blunderbuss, a fictional citywide Portland, Oregon festival, as a member of the band Sparkle Pony, and is turned away as she is not on the line up of any of them.[7]

She also appeared on Parks and Recreation when The Decemberists performed at the Unity Concert.

Personal life

She is married to drummer Steve Drizos.[8] In May 2011, Conlee was diagnosed with breast cancer.[9] Colin Meloy said that a full recovery was likely, but that she would miss some concerts.[9] On October 20, 2011, Meloy announced via his Twitter that Conlee's cancer was in remission.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Jenny Conlee". Decemberists. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Decemberists Bio on All Music Guide". 2007. Retrieved 2009-04-14.
  3. ↑ "Primer: KMRIA". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  4. ↑ "AdamMartin.SPACE - 2014 Road Trip - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame". AdamMartin.SPACE. 2014-04-17. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  5. ↑ Bruce Triggs, Rowan Lipkovits (2012-03-28). "Accordion Noir radio playlist 2012-03-28: Jenny Conlee of the Decemberists". Accordion Uprising (Podcast). Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  6. ↑ Frost, Allison (2023-04-03). "Portland artist Jenny Conlee's new 'Tides' album of accordion and piano evokes coastal environment". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved 2023-06-18.
  7. ↑ Turnquist, Kristi (21 February 2011). "'Portlandia' episode 5: Reviews and your reactions". Oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  8. ↑ Brodeur, Melissa. "Steve Drizos". Glide Magazine. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  9. 1 2 Phillips, Amy. "Decemberists Keyboardist Jenny Conlee Diagnosed With Breast Cancer". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
  10. ↑ Meloy, Colin. "Our girl's officially in remission". Retrieved 2 November 2011.


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