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Bridgeport, CT-based but born and raised on Long Island, NY in 1998, Jared Sage Cowen has been immersed in music from an early age. At just four years old, the same week his parents took him to a Phish show, Cowen picked up the guitar for the first time. His passion was immediate, quickly progressing from half-hour lessons to full-hour sessions. By grade school, his talent was undeniable, performing in numerous ensembles and forming bands that played in local bars and nightclubs while still in high school.
Cowen's early musical influences were rooted in jazz and fusion, drawing inspiration from legends like Pat Metheny, Django Reinhardt, and Jimmy Herring. This foundation earned him numerous accolades throughout his schooling for his exceptional performances. After graduating from SUNY Oneonta with a degree in Music Industry in 2019, Jared set out to combine his performance skills with his growing interest in event coordination, booking, and festival organization. During his time at SUNY Oneonta, Cowen studied under Spyro Gyra founding member Jeremy Wall and founded the band Baked Shrimp, which would later evolve into Big Shrimp. Over seven years, the band became a staple in the music festival scene, performing at renowned festivals such as Peach Music Festival, Summer Camp Music Festival, and Northlands Live. Sharing stages with legends like Willie Nelson, My Morning Jacket, and Ween, Baked Shrimp quickly became a touring powerhouse, performing over 400 shows across the United States and internationally. Baked Shrimp also had the honor of opening for iconic bands such as Phil Lesh & Friends (of the Grateful Dead), The Disco Biscuits, and Dopapod. cowen's role as the band's primary songwriter led to the creation of nearly 200 original songs, including fan favorites like "Can't Cut the Mustard" and "Chop Suey," both of which were featured on Spotify's Editorial Playlist "Modern Jam Bands." In the fall of 2023, Cowen decided to put Baked Shrimp on indefinite hiatus. However, the following year brought a new chapter as Cowen moved across the Long Island Sound to follow the sound of the ever-expanding Black Rock, Connecticut music scene. Over the spring and summer of 2024, Cowen formed new projects, sat in with various musicians, and performed over sixty live shows, becoming a fixture in the community. That summer, Cowen also embarked on his first "Jared & Friends" solo tour, which took him halfway across the country. In each city, he curated unique lineups featuring local musicians, with a standout performance at Ohio DreamFest, where he was the Artist at Large, collaborating with acts like Ekoostik Hookah, Stop Light Observations, and Dizgo. Cowen's guitar prowess has also earned him invitations to sit in with bands like Aqueous and perform alongside one of his biggest influences, Tim Palmieri, in a special collaboration featuring members of Twiddle, Lotus, and Kung Fu. Jared's hard work and dedication to the music industry didn't go unnoticed. In 2024, he signed on as an agent with RoundTable Artists, representing a roster that includes The Jauntee, Hot Like Mars, and Escaper. Balancing his roles as a booking agent, manager, and musician, Cowen continues to shape his career while actively performing, songwriting, and planning future projects. In the fall of 2024, Cowen announced his new project, Big Shrimp. Now a quartet based out of Bridgeport, CT, the band is poised to hit the road, with plans for extensive touring and new music in 2025. Cowen also continues his work as an event coordinator, curating Big Shrimp's annual Halloween Extravaganza productions and the band's upcoming festival, LonCon, set to take place at Wonderland Forest in LaFayette, NY. As Cowen looks ahead, his passion for music, performance, and event curation promises to keep him at the forefront of the jam band scene. |
 Photo Credit: Ben Ulmer
COWEN PERFORMS WITH HIS CUSTOM-MADE FORSHAGE GUITAR, APTLY NAMED "THE WRENCH," CRAFTED TO HIS SPECIFICATIONS IN 2022.
"Jared Cowen, who wears many hats – band founder, songwriter, guitarist, vocalist, business and tour manager – is a certified shredder, and fully embraces the spotlight as the band’s frontman. Their rendition of “Wannabe” was a Top 10 moment for the ADK."
- Frank Imburgia (Live for Live Music) "Cowen’s blistering PRS guitar work instantly grabbed the attention of everyone in the room and never let go."
- Zak Raddik (NYS Music) Jared seemed to have new riff to back up each new chorus, and the song’s complexity redoubled every couple bars as it heated up."
- Gill Sfaard (Live for Live Music) |