BIOGRAPHY
“Jeremy is a blockbuster talent; though his music feels so natural, you might not realize it until you really listen.
The thought that goes into each piece (I say "piece" because it is constructed and arranged as such) might make you think very differently about what modern music CAN be, or perhaps better yet, doesn't have to be.
He is singularly different and yet so familiar at the same time. He challenges the listener to think more, and yet still rest at ease enough to "feel" rather than just examine. He has the tools and talent to make you let go of default scrutiny - it is just that personal. You aren't just listening to songs; you are meeting Jeremy Facknitz.”
- Matt McLure, The Dare To Inspire Riverwalk Festival
Jeremy Facknitz has been entertaining audiences with his lovingly crafted music and high-energy performances for over a quarter century. Since the 2002 break-up of his Detroit-based band "The Ottomans" (they earned a 2001 Detroit Music Award for Best New Alternative Band, beating out "The White Stripes"), Jeremy has performed primarily as a solo act, marrying folk-rock and jazz stylings to showcase his intimate stories of life, love, and self-discovery.
But from 2003 to 2017, those stories seemed to fall on deaf ears. Facknitz carved out a living performing at bars, coffeeshops, and corporate events while teaching lessons on the side. "I was happy to be making a living performing music, but my original music wasn't being heard - and as the years passed I found myself more and more frustrated playing to little more than the din of drunken conversation." Things came to a head on July 17th, 2017 when Jeremy was diagnosed with viral meningitis. "I came face to face with my mortality, and I realized it was time for a change. I quit performing at bars and spent the next year making the leap to house concerts, touring, and performing solely for listening audiences."
The leap has paid off. Jeremy was named a top 24 finalist from over 800 entries in the 2020 and 2022 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competitions at Kerrville Folk Festival. His songs "Ballet of an Unhatched Chick" and "Michigan (Something In The Water)" were awarded semi-finalist distinction at songoftheyear.com, also in 2020 and 2022.
While occasionally performing with his 6 piece band in Colorado, Jeremy continues to tour solo - performing at house concerts and listening rooms in the United States, Canada and Europe. His 6th solo album "Smilin' At The Future" is set for release March 31st, 2023.