Jen Porter Rocks

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United States
Chicago, IL
Jen Porter Rocks

International piano bar entertainer, musician and singer/songwriter. She has been performing upbeat, energy-filled live shows for over two decades.
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Acclaimed singer, songwriter and entertainer Jen Porter has been called one of the hardest working women in her industry. She began performing professionally in her college years, working in an original band, a cover band, and a wedding band. She moved back to Chicago and quickly made a name for herself in bars and clubs in and around the third largest city in the country. She still performs at ic

onic locations such as Redhead Piano Bar downtown and Slugger’s Dueling Pianos next to Wrigley Field. Additionally, Jen is honored to be a resident singer of the National Anthem for MLB’s Chicago White Sox since 2007. Jen quickly expanded from her hometown to performing at several locations throughout the United States, as well as on several enviable islands in the Caribbean and multiple countries in Europe. She enjoys residencies at several locations like Aruba, St. Maarten and Amsterdam. She also continues to steadily write and record original materials, boasting 5 albums under her belt, available on all major streaming services. Critics often compare her live-show energy to that of Janis Joplin, her piano stylings and voice to Natalie Merchant, and the intensity of her songwriting to Fiona Apple. Her fourth album, “Closer to the Surface” was released to enthusiastic reviews. Andy Downing of the Chicago Tribune says, “[Porter’s] voice swing[s] between striking moments of intimacy and tornadic outbursts, while her piano . . . matches each emotional surge lockstep.”

Indie-Music.com’s Barney Quick says, “This is real music, wide and deep. It’s accessible but still invites you to take your time to see what’s really there. I don’t need any comparisons to get a handle on what she’s doing. She’s setting a standard by which others down the pike will be compared.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
• Released five full-length studio albums to date: What’s Next ©2018 - Closer to the Surface ©2009 - Moving On… ©2006 - It’s About Time ©2002 - Faces ©1999
• Performed for an audience of 200,000+ people on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
• Regular performer of U.S. National Anthem for the nationally televised Chicago White Sox since 2007; has also performed for the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Fire, and Detroit Pistons
• Named Best Local Musician (Chicago) by the Chicago Free Press
• Regular performer at many international destinations, including several Caribbean islands and several countries in Europe
• Featured on Stonecutter Records’ Acoustic Chicago compilation
• Featured Chi-Tunes performer in Red Eye, a Chicago Tribune Publication
• Continuous radio airplay and interviews across the U.S. and Europe, including satellite and terrestrial radio
• Has written original music and had material solicited for film and television projects

05/28/2026

See you next weekend!

1 week away

05/22/2026

Kicking off my SUMMER OF PRIDE '26 🏳️‍🌈 is a Friday night shindig at one of my FAVE LGBTQIA+ haunts: Walker's Pint! Come out (tee hee) and have some fun with us during Milwaukee's Pride Weekend! 🎹 💃 🎉 👭 🌈 👬 🦄
Friday, June 5, 2026 - 6:00p-8:00p

WALKER'S PINT

04/17/2026

Get ready to welcome our headliner, Jen Porter! 🎤✨

An acclaimed singer, songwriter, and powerhouse performer, Jen has been lighting up stages with her high-energy live shows for over two decades. From her early days performing in bands during college to making a name for herself in Chicago’s vibrant music scene, she’s built a career defined by passion, talent, and nonstop dedication.

Jen has performed across the U.S., the Caribbean, and Europe, and is a longtime resident anthem singer for the Chicago White Sox. With five albums of original music and a sound often compared to legends like Janis Joplin and Fiona Apple, her performances are unforgettable.

You won’t want to miss this incredible show at PrideFest! 🌈🎶

❤️ Make sure to follow the page so you don’t miss any announcements and invite your friends to do the same! We appreciate it! ❤️

04/13/2026

HOORAY!! I am performing and celebrating LGBTQIA+ PRIDE every month of the summer this year! WOO HOO! 🎉
Head to www.JenPorter.com for more details about each of these gigs. 🎹 💃

04/06/2026

7 Years Sober
Seven years…wow. On April 6, 2019 I almost died due to my alcohol abuse. It was right here on Aruba, the place I call a second home.
Most people reading this have known both versions of me. And yet, many of you have only known the sober version of me. It still gives me pause that that is the case. Especially when I consider that the amount of time that I have sober is a small (but growing) fraction of my years.

So what have I learned?

Mostly, I’ve learned that I can’t fix anything with alcohol and that gratitude is the number one thing that keeps me walking this sober path.
I am grateful for the injury that brought me here to this version of me. 😉
I am quite grateful that I was sober before Covid started. I’m not sure I would have made it through that without therapy and the new coping skills I had gained in my first year of sobriety.
I am so grateful that I have been given the gift of a second chance at being present in my own life.
I’m eternally grateful for the work I’ve done on myself, both in therapy and in my own self-care and self love.
I feel like I’ve grown exponentially in this most recent near decade of my time here on earth. I work harder but also smarter. I feel everything incredibly deeply again. That sensitivity is part of why I drank so much.

If any of this feels like YOUR sign to make a change, MAKE IT before it’s too late. 🙏🏻

Today, I am grateful to be returned to my truest, core self.
I am a kind, generous, compassionate, inclusive, musical, whimsical Unicorn whose purpose on this earth is to bring joy.
🎶 🦄 💕 🎹 💃🏼 💗
Thank you for letting me continue to bring joy to myself and to everyone around me.

04/03/2026

Coming to Orlando next year!! Exciting!

🔔 💥 ‼ BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 🔔 💥 ‼
Piano Ladies will be coming to ORLANDO, FLORIDA for our next Conference, February 28-March4, 2027. Mark your calendars and STAY TUNED for more exciting information about our 6th industry-leading Conference! 🎹 💃

Interested in sponsoring our 501(c)(3) nonprofit? Reach out today!
[email protected] | www.PianoLadies.com

04/02/2026

Here on Aruba all of April!
Nightly performances Sunday through Friday starting at 8:00pm.

Always nice to be back at Sopranos!! 🥰 🎹 💃🏼

03/24/2026

Spring is arriving in Chicago and I've got just enough time at home for some late night shenanigans at Redhead Piano Bar!
Join me on Sunday, March 29, for drinks, requests, and fabulous vibes! Let's gooooo!
11:30p-3:30a

Address

1658 N. Milwaukee Avenue , Box 423
Chicago, IL
60647

Website

http://www.jenporter.com/

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