BeJae Fleming - Singer-Songwriter, Guitar

BeJae (pronounced B.J.) Fleming is an energetic and entertaining performer of Southern blues and finely crafted original material. With passionate singing, innovative guitar work and engaging storytelling, she celebrates tribulation and triumph in songs that range from gentle to gritty, from heartfelt to humorous.

“A first-rate songwriter, easily the best lyricist in the state … rich, dynamic … a totally engaging, must-see live performer … a fully realized folksinger at the peak of her power.” (Iowa City Icon)

Gayla Drake, writing for Acoustic Music Magazine, calls BeJae Fleming “one of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard.”

BeJae has sung her songs for audiences of all descriptions, in every imaginable venue, all over the country. From East Coast coffeehouses to Las Vegas convention centers, from the World’s Fair to the Kerrville Folk Festival, from colleges, universities and community festivals to Nashville showcases, her compelling music and her wry wit have earned BeJae the respect of critics, fans, and fellow artists alike. The Iowa Press-Citizen described BeJae’s material “strong as new rope,” while Karen Impola, host of KUNI’s Live from Studio One, called BeJae’s performance “definitely one of the best.”

Born in North Carolina, BeJae learned her craft as a songwriter and performer in Texas playing the famous club scenes in Austin and Dallas. Along with Trailer Records labelmates Greg Brown, Pieta Brown, Bo Ramsey, David Zollo, Joe Price, Brother Trucker, Patrick Bloom and others, she has helped create the roots-influenced “Iowa sound” in Americana music.

Jackie Blount - Bass

Jackie Blount studied the French horn, receiving her bachelor’s degree in music from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the early 80s. Long inspired by performances of such notable bassists as Jaco Pastorius, Stanley Clark, and Charles Mingus, and more recently by Brian Derek (who played on BeJae's first CD, Red Cross Woman) she began learning to play the electric bass in the late '90s. Jackie has accompanied BeJae Fleming’s performances ever since.

(Note: Not allowed to play Mahler, Mozart or any stinkin jazz in this band.)