Jennifer Hartswick is best known for playing with a variety of jambands, but that isn’t necessarily the style of music that’s always been true to her heart.

On True, her second album, Hartswick explores more traditional jazz music that more defines who she is as an artist. Jen’s voice combines power with polish, a formula that draws you in and makes you want to hear more. The new album features a mix of both familiar and a bit more obscure standards, plus a beautiful original love song entitled You Own Me.

Photo by Regan Teti

True is the first release on Rubber Jungle Records, a label founded by her old bandmate Trey Anastasio. The album is available now on Jen’s website, and soon it’ll be up for download on iTunes. We caught up with the Vermont native as she prepared for her first record release party to discuss the making of True…

Scott Bernstein: Why did you call the album ‘True’?

Jennifer Hartswick: Jazz is what I grew up listening to. This album features music that is true to who I am. The way that everything occured was real. There were no overdubs; everything is live. We never did more than two takes. I made sure to choose musicians who feel the same way about this music that I do.

Read on after the jump for more from Jen and Scotty’s conversation…

SB: How did recording Fuse compare to recording True?

JH: Recording True was a completely different experience from Fuse. First of all, recording with a trio or quartet is very easy compared to a nine-piece funk band! This was so much more relaxed. There was so much more spontaneous musical communication. This is the genre I express myself best in, and I think the other players would tell you the same about themselves.

SB: How did you put the band that plays on the album together?

JH: The musicians that play on True are some of my all time favorite musicians. I’ve been playing with John Rivers since I was 16 years old. He’s a beautiful, mild-mannered, sensitive player that I’ve grown to really love playing with over the years. Nick Cassarino is one of my favorite human beings of all time. He’s just 21 now, but I met him when I was adjudicating a “battle of the bands” seven years ago when he was 14. He was so far beyond his years, even back then. He is a monster guitar player, composer and arranger. It is always my pleasure to play with him.

This record was the first time I had met Geza Carr. I had been hearing a lot about his playing and Nick recommended him to me. We have since played many gigs together. I went to college with Andrew Breskin. I knew if I was going to have another horn player on the album, it would have to be Andy. He lives, breathes, eats and sleeps jazz like no one else I’ve ever known. I was honored he wanted to be a part of it. Finally I added Joe Davidian on piano. Joe and I have been playing together for almost 15 years. He has always been one of my favorite musicians. Whether in a big band or a trio setting, he is always commanding and confident, but gentle with open ears. It was a pleasure working with him on this project.

SB: How did you pick the songs on True?

JH: The songs on True are tunes that I’ve loved for as long as I can remember. Some were songs that I had never sung before, but had always wanted to, such as Nature Boy, Lover Man and With Every Breath I Take. I’d say people will generally recognize about half the songs on the album, and the other half are a little more obscure.

Photo by DaveO

SB: What’s the story with You Own Me, the only original on the album?

JH: I wrote that song a couple of months before we recorded the album for [my husband] Wade.

SB: What was your favorite part of recording True?

JH: My favorite part about recording the album was the love that went into making it. This record was never meant to be a record at all. I was throwing a benefit concert for my aunt, who was diagnosed with breast cancer almost two years ago. I was trying to think of ways to make more money for her. The idea popped into my head a week and a half before the concert that if I could sneak into the studio and bang out a little album, we could accept donations for them.

So all the musicians essentially donated their time to do this for my family. That was the vibe going into this project, and I think it shows in the results.

SB: How long did you spend in The Barn recording the album?

JH: We only had two days to make this album happen, but I think that’s what makes it sound so real. When you don’t have time to nitpick and change every little thing, it forces you to work harder and get it right the first time.

SB: Will the musicians you play with on the album join you on stage at the record release party in New York City on the 19th?

JH: The show will feature some of the same musicians, but not all.

SB: Why did you decide to release the record on Rubber Jungle Records?

JH: When I do something I like to have a decent amount of control over what happens with it. I’ve never been one who appreciates being told what I can and can’t do. The opportunity came along to put out this album with no red tape. They wanted to put it out for the right reasons, just like I wanted to record it for the right reasons.

Photo by Matt Ziegler

SB: Will you be playing any other gigs supporting the album besides the record release parties?

JH: We’ll definitely be playing more shows than the release parties. That’s all in the works now.

Thanks to Jen for speaking with us, and we look forward to seeing her new band play at the Blue Note late night on October 20th. Only a few remain, so get your tickets now. You can check out a few tunes from True on Jen’s MySpace.