About Us

Jazz for the Contemplative Heart and Mind

Original music is the primary focus of the Orenda Duo and the Jenny Wilson Trio.  With the addition of jazz standards, contemporary and familiar, as well as unique arrangements of popular song, they perform a program that appeals to a wide audience.

The sound of the duo and trio is influenced by traditional jazz, Americana, and classical music.  Not often heard as a melodic instrument, Nathan Wilson utilizes the singing quality of the double bass.  Jenny’s vocals have been compared to those of Diana Krall and Norah Jones and Carole King.  Jenny’s piano style is highly influenced by modern jazz pianists and by her classical training.  With the addition of drums and horns the duo can expand to a trio or quartet ensemble.  In a few words their music can be described as ‘subtle swing, lilting Latin, and cinematic original composition’.  They are experts at tailoring the music to fit the needs of the client and venue.

Jenny and Nathan are full time musicians performing at arts venues, music festivals, jazz clubs, corporate and private events, as well as house concerts and occasional fine dining establishments.  They regularly perform in WV, PA, MD, and OH, and have toured the east coast from Maine to Florida. 

Jenny Wilson - piano/vocal/flute

Jenny has studied piano with Grammy nominated pianist Art Lande and with Duquesne University professor Ron Bickel.  She has had private lessons with Hal Galper and has a Master of Music degree from West Virginia University in jazz pedagogy.   Her earlier studies were in flute performance at the University of Southern Maine and at the Winterthur Konservatorium in Switzerland.  She has performed in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, and in the US.

Nathan Wilson - upright bass

Nathan also plays fretless electric bass as a member of Squonk Opera, an avant garde outdoor theater ensemble.   With them he has toured in Asia, Europe, and all across the United States and Canada.

Audio engineering is a passion of Nathan's.  He has a small sound company for live sound and a recording/mixing studio.   He is responsible for the duo's and trio's recordings.

Nathan has been awarded an Artist Impact Grant from Arts Monongahela and The City of Morgantown.  And on more than one occasion has received a greeting card recognizing him as the 'World's Greatest Husband'. 

CD Reviews

'Jenny and Nathan Wilson's latest CD, "The World is Turning to Gold" is an engaging collection of original jazz pieces penned by the duo. The mood is warmly introspective and the intimate recorded sound sets off to advantage Jenny's crystalline sound on the piano and Nathan's empathic accompaniment on the bass.  This is not an album of tired bluesy clichés but instead offers a thoughtful set of pieces exquisitely rendered in musical watercolors and pastels.  Recommended.'

'Spellbinding, honest, and introspective - Jenny and Nathan Wilson deliver a musical performance that feels like spun gold, light to the touch, but magical and luminous with delicate intensity.'

'I love this recording “The World Is Turning Gold”, thoughtful and lyrical music from the spirit of Jenny and Nathan Wilson.  A great way to spend the day.'

'This is not an album of tired bluesy cliches, but instead offers a thoughtful set of pieces exquisitely rendered in musical watercolors and pastels,  Recommended'

'Lilting, bouncing, contemplative, or downright swinging, Jenny, son Evan Lintz on drums and husband Nathan Wilson on bass turn in a performance that’s both magical and memorable. Music played by a trio that sounds like, well, family.'

'Wow...sounds great!!! Great music and great recording quality! Very hip grooves indeed!!'