BIO

Award winning singer-songwriter Essence Goldman has been immersed in art and music since childhood. Her birth name really is ‘Essence’ – she was raised by quintessential flower children. As a sixth generation native of San Francisco, her parents were two free spirited bohemian artists from the Haight-Ashbury ‘Summer of Love.’

Essence’s sound nods to songwriting legends like Tom Petty and Lucinda Williams, Dolly Parton and Gillian Welch. In addition to writing folk/Americana, country, pop and rock songs, Essence has produced a very much loved children's album called “A Dog Named Moo.” Essence recently received national and international spotlights for her work with Bernie and the Believers through NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and BBC. “The story of Bernie and the Believers is the most powerful I've ever come across at the Tiny Desk.” - Bob Boilen, (host and creator of NPR's online music show All Songs Considered and NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts series.) The story and music of Essence’s project Bernie and the Believers is currently being developed into a major Hollywood feature film on which she will be a co-producer with Weed Road Pictures and John Legend and his team “Get Lifted.” Essence has toured nationally, opening for Jason Mraz, Shawn Colvin, Tom Petty, Sarah McLachlan, Natalie Merchant, Chrissie Hynde, Steve Miller, Pat Benatar, and Linda Perry.

Essence’s forthcoming album titled “Father’s Daughter” is named as an ode to the man that raised her and made her into the person she is today. Fully steeped in the traditions of the Appalachian, Americana and Country music that Essence grew up on, this album is an honest and at times humorous account of her losses and wins; to the bone and from the heart. A collection of songs capturing hard won wisdom that could never have been written without real life living. It is at once deeply personal and immediately relatable; vulnerable and brave. Dobro guitars that conjure the spirits, pedal steels that dance like the wind, rolling banjos that haunt and chill, rousing harmonies, church organs and cinematic strings; these are the colors that paint this timeless soundscape. 

While in the studio making her new record, Essence formed a strong musical and personal bond with guitarist, producer and songwriter Danny Uzilevsky. Their newly formed duo features twinning vocal harmonies reminiscent of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and other great male/female duos, including Gillian Welsh and Dave Rawlings, making this pair a powerful emerging voice on the Americana landscape.

When Essence is not in the studio recording, or on the road touring, she is a voice coach and leads powerful workshops called “Finding Your Voice'' for artists and business professionals. Essence is also the founder and executive director of a powerful non profit called ‘Believe Music Heals’ which is dedicated to transforming lives through the healing power of music.

Essence is also a dedicated mother to a wonderful son and daughter.