Jenny Maybee is a genre-bending jazz renegade whose sound fuses sultry vocals, cinematic arrangements, and powerhouse jazz piano. As a composer, recording artist, and producer, she brings a rare blend of intelligence, elegance, and raw emotional power to every track. Known for her magnetic stage presence and sonic storytelling, Jenny Maybee weaves soundscapes that defy convention and captivate listeners. Her upcoming album, Only Love, is a bold exploration of desire, transformation, and creative fire, featuring GRAMMY-winning collaborators and a visual aesthetic as lush and wild as the music itself.
With her single, “Ain’t No Better Lover,” out now, we took some time to hear from Jenny Maybee. Read below to learn more about Jenny Maybee, the story behind her single, and what’s to come.
Hi Jenny Maybee! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
From my birth certificate – it’s actually my real name.
What city are you from and where are you based now?
I grew up in Bakersfield, California, but I’ve been based in the San Francisco Bay Area for years. It’s got this wild mix of creative energy, ocean wind, freedom, and edge-of-the-earth freedom that feels right for me.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I started hearing music in my head when I was three. I asked for a piano, started studying music and writing songs, and it’s been a constant ever since. I’ve done other things along the way, explored different careers, worn a few hats—but music was always there in the background. Now, it’s front and center. I’m all in, building a life that’s fully aligned with what I love—making music, performing, creating, and surrounding myself with passion, adventure, and meaning.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
Absolutely. I grew up in an environment where pursuing creativity wasn’t always center stage, so I learned to make music in the cracks—improvising, dreaming, pushing boundaries quietly at first, and learning to work fast with the time that I had. That balance between structure and freedom, elegance and wildness, is baked into everything that I write. I’ve learned that you don’t need full support from everyone around you to be an artist—creativity doesn’t need permission; it just needs you to show up.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
If Miles Davis, Annie Lennox, Rumi, and a thunderstorm had a child who played piano barefoot and raced sailboats on the weekends—that’s me. There’s jazz at the core, but I bend genres unapologetically. There’s blues, cinematic pop, rock grit, and a whole lot of fire.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
I race sailboats. Fast boats, high winds, full focus—it’s a perfect mental reset. I always have new projects going (like studying French), love spending time in the redwoods, and have an ever-evolving obsession with charcuterie. I co-founded the Charcuterie Yacht Club to create a space for people who love the outdoors, sailing, and great food – or any combination of those! All those avenues feed my creativity by anchoring variety and joy into my life.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Miles Davis—for his restraint, intention, and range. Nina Simone, Sting, Thomas Newman, Annie Lennox. I’m drawn to artists who can pierce you with one note and aren’t afraid to cross boundaries.
Who would be a dream to collaborate with?
Thomas Newman for film scoring, Annie Lennox for a soul-infused duet, and if Miles Davis were still alive, I’d want to know what he’d be creating right now—what new sound, what wild direction. I’d want to be part of that project. Something boundary-pushing and unexpected.
What are some of your future music career goals?
I want my songs to show up in shows and films and stop people in their tracks. And, to continually evolve in my own unique way, following the music wherever it takes me.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
I don’t really keep score—I aim to stay immersed in the process, so that I can keep moving forward. But, honestly, putting together this Only Love album has been one of the proudest things that I’ve done. It started with these raw, intimate moments—just me at the piano or guitar—and grew into something massive and alive. I found the right collaborators, shaped the arrangements, and honed the sound into exactly what I was hearing in my head. It’s a full-body expression of what I came here to make.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
No one’s coming to give you permission. Make what you want. Stand by it. And, trust your instincts—they’re usually louder than the noise if you’re quiet enough to listen.
Now onto your release, ‘Ain’t No Better Lover.’ What inspired this song?
I wrote ‘Ain’t No Better Lover’ during a blues-obsessed period—I was deep into that simple, soulful form that always takes you on a satisfying journey. Nothing ever consciously inspires a song for me; I often don’t even know what it’s about for me until long after I’ve written it. But, I remember that I was in a headspace of affirming positive forward motion and really leaning into trusting my instincts. This song came out of that space—bold, intuitive, and full of raw soul.
What is ‘Ain’t No Better Lover’ about?
I always like to leave space for the listener. Songs are mirrors—they reflect back to whatever you’re ready to see. ‘Ain’t No Better Lover’ carries a certain energy, for sure: it’s bluesy, bold, and unapologetic. But, what it’s ‘about,’ depends on who’s listening. My hope is that it hits you in the heart or the gut and stirs something real—whatever that is for you.
What is your favorite lyric in ‘Ain’t No Better Lover’ and why?
My favorite lyric from ‘Ain’t No Better Lover’ is:
‘So listen to the stories of the ones who came before
Then dance upon their ashes and create your own.’
It captures the constant dance of creation that is our lives—honoring what came before, letting the old burn away, and boldly turning toward what you want to build next.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Ain’t No Better Lover?’
Be bold and true to yourself. Trust your inner knowing.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
My full album, Only Love, drops August 1, 2025, and every track is its own world. As I’m finishing up the Only Love album release, I’m currently in the studio working on new music beyond that album.
Where can we follow you on social media?
https://jennymaybeemusic.substack.com
https://www.instagram.com/jennymaybee
https://www.facebook.com/jennymaybeemusicpage
https://www.youtube.com/@jennymaybeemusic5345
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
