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The acoustic Alaskan chanteuse Jewel has made a reputation for herself as a singer/songwriter, a poet and a philanthropist. Jewel has often discussed her early, recounting a childhood spent with her father. She says they were "happy but poor"-they had no indoor plumbing-and often sang at local pubs to earn money. It was while gigging around Alaska that Jewel learned her signature yodel technique, a vocal styling often heard on her albums. The young Jewel was clearly a musical talent and she was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy where she majored in operatic voice. But she found her true path at age 17, when she started writing her own songs. Rather than continue to pursue her formal music training, Jewel set off in a van to gig around the country. She played small coffee houses and cafes, all the while perfecting her lyrical, personal songwriting. While playing one of these intimate gigs, the striking singer was discovered and signed by an A&R executive from Atlantic Records. She recorded her debut smash, Pieces of You, and released it in 1995. Singles like "Who Will Save Your Soul"-highlighting Jewel's yodel-and "Foolish Games" thrust the young singer into the spotlight and the album sold over 12 million copies. Jewel sang the national album at the 1998 Super Bowl and her subsequent, acoustic-centered folk rock albums of earned her a consistent and devoted fan base. Jewel also went on to release a best selling book of poetry, 1998's A Knight Without Armor.

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