Michael Jensen

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Michael Jensen, a self-taught pianist, quickly credits his musical and writing talent as a "God given ability." He also comes from a family of gifted artists and musicians. Two of his siblings are nationally or internationally renown in art, his mother is an artist/writer, and his deceased sister, Jackie Jensen-Dingmann, was an established portrait artist. Jensen's interest in piano began as a youth. Third youngest of eight brothers and sisters, they didn't have a piano at home while growing up. "I was raised Catholic, but was often at the Methodist Church to attend Boy Scout meetings," Jensen said. "Several of us would ride share with neighbors." Sometimes there would be two-hour waits after troop meetings to get a ride home. There was a piano sitting all by itself in the Sunday school area and Jensen was "just drawn to it."

Although Michael Jensen had no formal piano lessons while growing up, he took a few required for liberal arts in college. Over the years, he has accumulated fans that have encouraged him to record. Having been along time fan of Judy Garland, Michael Jensen also shares the bond of both coming from Grand Rapids roots. Honored to be asked to play the 2004 and 2005 Judy Garland Music Festivals, Jensen soon discovered that Garland had been baptized at the same Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids where he had practiced playing piano as a young man. Although Judy Garland left the area as a child, Jensen remained there until college. In May 1992, his mother, Helen, had a stroke. Jensen, a certified CNA, volunteered to leave Minneapolis and return to the area to care for Helen, who was then in a convalescent center. "The day I came home, they released her," Jensen said. "It was a real nice feeling wheeling her out of there and bringing her home."

Since being back in the Grand Rapids area, Judy Garlands' music has again impacted Michael Jensen's life. His CD, Over the Rainbow, features four different versions of the title song as well as "The Smiles That Go On", which Jensen wrote and dedicated to three important women in his life: his mother for her lifelong encouragement and love of the arts, in Judy Garland's memory because of her musical influence, and in memory of his sister, Jackie, who founded the Judy Garland museum in 1975 and who died in 1999 of breast cancer.

Over The Rainbow 70 minutes of solo piano dream journeys, 57 minutes are variations on the song "Over the Rainbow," with the rest original music. Judy Garland's daughter granted rare photographic permission for the use of her monther's likeness on the CD cover. CD Price: $14.97

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