Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils

"Jennifer Westwood and the Handsome Devils sound like they made a serendipitous wrong turn on their way to the juke joint and wound up in a countrypolitan cathedral instead. It's beautiful and ever so haunting. Westwood's voice is sexy and strong as it applies the seduction over the band's groove and thoughtful reserve…..And the Handsome Devils lay it down as pretty as their golden haired captain. It's honky-tonk with a little less honky. It's atmospheric yet immediate and approachable. It packs a wallop” -Rochester City Newspaper

At the helm of the band, Jennifer Westwood and guitarist Dylan Dunbar, share an affection for gospel, Texas blues, Stax, and Muscle Shoals era artists and both have family roots tying them inextricably to the sounds of Appalachia.
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Jennifer cut her teeth on gospel before hitting the gritty Detroit bar scene that set her career in motion. From the choir loft, opportunities to provide backing vocals for soul and jazz artists along with commercial work gave way to a desire for unfettered creative expression. A rough and tumble hometown with more than ample talent extended the invitation to earn that privilege - or languish. More stoic than intrepid, she kept her creative flame burning and with a bevy of Detroit Music Awards to her credit, she’s shared a stage and recorded with well known musical heroes, including Blue Note Records CEO and producer Don Was, Vin Dombroski (Sponge), Patti Smith, Johnny Bee Badanjek (Mitch Ryder), and others.
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Dylan Dunbar spent his teen years refining his chops in Detroit area blues joints, moving on to perform with W.C. Handy/Blues award winners such as Chef Chris and Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones, as well as outlaw country artist Whitey Morgan. He has moonlighted with Grammy winning songwriter Kendell Marvel, and shared a stage or provided direct support for artists Elle King, Patti Smith, Chris Stapleton and more. His passion for tone and a dynamic playing style always leaves the crowd with “wow’ moments whether backed by a full band or performing as a duo. He’s the perfect compliment to Jennifer's broad vocal range and unique sound that invokes influences ranging from Linda Ronstadt to Big Mama Thorton.
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Jennifer and Dylan along with a band of A-listers and underdogs from Detroit bars to the Grammy stage have built a family of fans from New York to Texas, touring upwards of 50,000 miles a year as a duo and with the band. They’ve been on bills with acts such as Hayes Carll, Paul Thorn, Katey Segal, Paul Cauthen, Dale Watson, The Secret Sisters, and Delbert McClinton, grateful for every opportunity the road has afforded them.
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When Jennifer and Dylan aren’t touring or making music, Jennifer Hosts Your Americana on WAKT 106.1 Toledo and Dylan writes horror fiction.