Interview with Guitar God Jennifer Batten

Christopher Annino
Jun 2, 2016
2 min read

By Christopher Annino

Jennifer Batten is an astonishing musical virtuoso when it comes to the guitar. She has worked with numerous mega stars such as Michael Jackson, and Jeff Beck. In 1979 she attended The Guitar Institute of Technology. She got her first big gig on Michael Jackson's "Bad" tour. From then on her career rocketed into stardom, playing sold out crowds around the world. During her career she has managed to master many different musical genera's and combine it to her guitar style. Her list of solo albums include "Whatever," "Jennifer Battens Tribal Rage-Momentum," "Above and Beyond." www.jenniferbatten.com also check her out playing Flight of The Bumblebee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kng1oTF9img

Q: How did you develop your skill?

A: "I took lessons from the of age 8. I graduated from the Guitar Institute of technology which kicked me up to a much higher level of musicianship. I learned tapping from a classmate there, and then went off on my own experimenting with it"

Q: Where does your passion and inspiration come from?

A: "I find inspiration everywhere. Sometimes it comes from other music, a movie, book, or an inspiring personality."

Q: What was the biggest show you ever played and how did it feel?

A: "120,000 in Liverpool UK if you don’t count the Superbowl which aired to 1.5 billion. They both felt great but especially the Superbowl because it was the biggest audience in television history. It was a very unique once in a lifetime experience."

Q: What was the greatest show you ever did?

A: "There were a few with Jeff Beck that felt special. One was in Sardinia Italy. It just felt magical."

Q: What was it like working with such artists as Michael Jackson and Jeff Beck?

A: "With Michael it was a paid vacation and a fun way to see the world. With Jeff it was a lot deeper for me musically. I learned volumes about creativity from him."

Q: What is your view on the evolution of women in the music industry?

A: "The evolution has been too slow for my liking. There are many women out there playing but only a handful that have taken music to a groundbreaking level.--like Tal Wilkenfeld, and Teresa Russel."

Q: What type of style would you consider you play?

A: "I just call it Guitronics for lack of a better name. I’m getting deeper into modern effects and textures."

Q: Are you working on any new projects?

A "I’ve always got something in the works with either film or guitar. I’ve written a few acoustic pieces recently."

Q: Who is your greatest influence?

A: "Jeff Beck, and Joe Diorio, but most of all my father"

Q: What is some of the best advice that you have gained over the years?

A: "To pursue your own voice and explore creativity."