Little Red Hen Promotions: About
Jan Bell founded Little Red Hen Music in 1999 as a member organization of the Folk Alliance.
Since then Jan has spearheaded over a thousand live music events in New York City, mostly between the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). Once a burgeoning fringe community, now an internationally renowned arts neighborhood that still retains a grass roots music scene.
Pioneer venue 'Superfine' cited Little Red Hen when they won NYC Mayor Bloomberg's coveted Award for 'Women in Business'. Local projects include the Main Street loading dock live music stage at Dumbo Arts Festival 7 years running; and six years producing live music at The Outdoor Sculpture Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park with with BWAC (BrooklynWaterfront Artists Coalition). Meanwhile Jan worked as the booker at popular alternative venues Lillies, Union Pool, Superfine, and 68 Jay St; and is credited with helping launch the careers of The Be Good Tanyas, The Wiyos, and the Luminescent Orchestrii, among others.
Twenty plus years as a Production Manager. Lighting Designer and main point person include Ray Charles, Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, Alison Krauss, Gatemouth Brown, Bela Fleck, Ralph Stanley, John Hartford, Odetta, Leon Redbone - to name a few.
As Technical Director and lighting designer at Performance Space 122. La Mama, The Charles Ludlam Theater, and the radical Judson Memorial Church in the West Village - Jan became part of the downtown arts community at an early age, branching out to work with dance companies and Live Music Events.
In 2009 Jan was inducted into the Brooklyn Country Music Hall of Fame for 'Unending Support of Country Music in New York City'. Matt Winters of WKCR-FM also received the award for presenting his Sunday morning Moonshine Radio Show for 11 years.
Jan is also known as a multi-award winning singer and songwriter, and brings her experience as a touring artist to the table as presenter and down to earth, hands on promoter. Having made her home in New Orleans, The Ozarks, Oregon, and the South West, she has become a touch stone in NYC for hard working, awe inspiring touring artists met along the way. Staying true to her dream of building and developing a vibrant music community, Jan continues to present and promote international touring artists outside of 'conveyer belt stages' at independently owned and operated venues in Brooklyn, NYC.
This Summer Jan joins forces with Dumbo BID to curate live music on Bastille Day in the celebrated newly re-opened Archway.
(photo by Dina Regine)