Rejecting Ibanez, Jennifer Batten
Posted on December 29, 2007
Filed Under Guitarists |
Well since my domain is femaleleadguitaritsts.com, I decided to do a post about Jennifer Batten. Batten no longer plays Ibanez guitars, she is now endorsed by Washburn guitars. I’m a fan of both guitars actually but it’s a bit hard to believe Batten’s stated reason in an interview for leaving Ibanez. She said, “I had too much trouble with the Ibanez necks warping . 7 bad guitars in 7 bad years !!!” That’s nothing I’ve ever experienced. Honestly seven guitars in a row…hard to swallow.
I first heard Jennifer Batten back in 1986 when she appeared on Guitar for the Practicing Musician's first compilation record. Immediately you could hear she knew how to play guitar! She performed John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" with her signature tapping technique and it was quite impressive. Soon after, she was surprisingly selected by Michael Jackson as her touring guitarist. I was somewhat disappointed by this myself. At this time she was playing Ibanez and presumably started an endorsement deal. She toured the world on Jackson’s Bad tour even playng the halftime show of Superbowl 27. 
After this initial Jackson tour she released her first solo album called 'Above, Below, and Beyond.' This CD boasted and impressive cover painting of Batten controlling water with her magic powers. Also, two Ibanez guitars were pictured in the water. The album consisted mostly of instrumentals with mixed results. The vocal pieces were quite disappointing. Most impressive were the tapping pieces on the record. Cool stuff.
After more touring with Michael Jackson, she played on a project with Carmine Appice called Guitar Zues, then recorded here second solo release entitled Tribal rage. This record is not as rock oriented as her debut. It’s more of a rock and world music hybrid with African percussion, Australian didjeredoo, and Scottish bag pipes. In 1998 Batten had the honor of joining Jeff Beck’s band on his Who Else CD. Why a master guitar player like Jeff Beck needs a second guitarist on his CD is a mystery to me. Batten continued with Beck’s band through 2001, touring with them in support of 2001’s You Had it Coming.
Her 3rd solo album entitled ‘Whatever’ is now available. Presumably somewhere around 2000 she ended her relationship with Ibanez so this CD likely features Washburn guitars. Check out her stuff to see what she’s up to these days. And don't let her rebuke of Ibanez dissuade from buying an Ibanez guitar.
Comments
One Response to “Rejecting Ibanez, Jennifer Batten”
Leave a Reply
My main guitar is an Ibanez, its on it’s second neck after an accident in store when I bought it.
That was 17 years ago!!! Bad necks, not here. Viva Ibanez.