This album is about family, love, loss, and how it feels to be alive. It’s the story of a father and daughter; a dream written in a journal at age 8 that became this collection of jazz, musical theatre, and original work, all from a brilliant team of musical collaborators.
Out Now
Love In All Its Forms is streaming everywhere. Ten tracks, thirty-six minutes, recorded live at LMNL Studios in Santa Monica.
Tap any song to play it on YouTube, or read the story behind it.
The Story
Our family was known throughout eastern North Carolina as The Musical Michels. My Dad, “Doc,” recently retired after 50 years of owning an optometry practice in Kinston. Each year he’d unite the community in sponsoring a holiday show on local TV.
When I was 8 years old, I wrote that line in my journal. We just did it, Dad!!
Nearly Forty Years Later
Hence, the Musical Michels Christmas Special was born. It ran on local television for more than 20 years. Doc would hand out cassette tapes and CDs at his office to share our family’s love of music with the world.
This album is a tribute to the musical relationship between me and my father. It’s also a tribute to family, and to love. Like life, the journey is not linear. There are ups and downs. Yet through it all, there’s one constant: it’s up to us to choose love every time, over and over again. (And have fun doing it!!)
This album is the
story of a dreamer
Jenn Quader is one who has always believed in the power, joy and fellowship of what music can bring. At an early age, Jenn delighted in swimming in the ocean of music, making it with her family and sharing it with her community.
“Jenn exudes joy, whimsy, passion, longing, gratitude and, yes, love in all its forms, here through the power of song and singing.”
Jeff Babko, Musical Director
Meet Jenn
Jenn Quader is an American CEO, TEDx speaker, vocalist, writer, poet and musical theatre enthusiast.
Her personal mission is to empower the next generation of confident communicators through art that helps people of all ages connect with and deepen their understanding of their own inner light.
Love In All Its Forms is her debut album: the fulfilment of a dream she wrote in her journal at eight years old.
“I first learned to be a vocalist from my Mama, Jan Howard Hartley, and my sisters, Melissa Burke Michels and Emily Billings, who are gorgeous singers and taught me how to collaborate, perform, and sing harmonies by ear. From there, I’ve repeatedly listened to the greatest vocalists of all time, including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Mavis Staples, Sara Gazarek, Billie Holiday, Barbra Streisand, Linda Eder, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Norah Jones, a million Broadway soundtracks, and many comedic queens like Bette Midler and Carol Channing.
I’m also inspired by music-makers like Lake Street Dive, Sammy Rae and the Friends, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Jon Batiste, who understand how to bring a soul connection to music that is still wildly fun to listen to.”
Meet Doc
Nobody has more style, flair or warmth. A pianist since age 7, still sharing his love of music with everyone he meets at 79.
“After working on this album, I’m thinking of legally changing my name to Jeff Babko. That dude can PLAY!!”
Doc, in full
He never made his living from music. He simply never stopped playing.
He grew the practice by day and played by night: church pianist, accompanist for local shows, weddings, concerts and bands. He kept cassettes and then CDs of the family’s music on the counter at the office and handed them to patients, which is a fair summary of how he has always treated an audience.
“Music has been my joy for more than 50 years. I’m inspired by great players like Oscar Peterson, among many others.
More seriously, it’s an honor to play with greats like these folks. I’ve been around musicians all my life, and the chance to play with world-class talent is always such a gift. I look forward to sharing this special music with the people I love.”
1990 – 2019
For more than twenty years, Doc united a whole North Carolina town around a holiday show on local television. Jenn and her sisters grew up on that stage. This album started there.
The Band
This album is a testament to the power of collaborators; a room full of world-class musicians who said yes.
Musical Director · Keys · Trombone
A 19+ year O.G. member of the Jimmy Kimmel Live house band, Jeff plays for Steve Martin and Martin Short’s Netflix special and tour, is the piano player from “We Don’t Talk About Bruno,” and has played with TOTO, James Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Jason Mraz, Frank Ocean, Smokey Robinson, Alanis Morissette, Willie Nelson and Tim McGraw.
Bass
Arguably the most in-demand bassist in Hollywood, Sean has played with John Mayer, Ringo Starr, Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez, Leonard Cohen, Idina Menzel, Katharine McPhee, Josh Groban, Alicia Keys and Celine Dion.
Drums
A massively respected drummer, Zach has recorded with Michel Camilo, Chuck Loeb, Randy Brecker, Leni Stern, Bob Mintzer, David Holmes, Jim Beard, Bill Evans and Dave Fiuczynski, and contributed to the scores of Ocean’s Eleven, Ocean’s Twelve and Iron Man.
Vocal Consultant
A GRAMMY® winner and three-time nominated jazz vocalist, Sara is creating the first Vocal Jazz program at the Eastman School of Music. She is a member of the vocal quartet säje, has collaborated with Fred Hersch, Billy Childs and Kurt Elling, and serves on the LA Chapter Board of Governors for the Recording Academy.
November 2023
Four days in Santa Monica with a room full of people who did not have to say yes, and did.
Early Accolades
no one in jazz is doing this right now. it’s unhinged!
playful and collaborative; jenn is so emotive with her singing.
Get In Touch
For booking, press enquiries, or just to tell us which song made you cry. We’d love to hear from you.
Living-room concerts, office concerts, listening parties and full-band shows.
Enquire about booking