Fortune

Born and raised in England, Jessica Fenner (Fortune) grew up in a family that loved to throw parties with live music, plenty of wine, hours of dancing and 200 or so incredibly happy people - the foundation of a passion for musical events! Her childhood was spent largely in Bristol, where innovative music acts such as Massive Attack, Morcheeba, Portishead and Roni Size were also coming of age. Classically trained in flute, piano and tenor saxophone, she became hooked on electronic music during the eruption of rave culture in the late 80s and early 90s. Impacted by acts such as Carl Cox, The Prodigy, Jumpin Jack Frost, The Shamen and KLF she left home and school at 17 to become more involved with a local promotions outfit.

In 1993, a month after turning 19, she had an unexpected opportunity to go to California and ten days later was crossing the Atlantic with $140 and a suitcase. Dr. Dre had recently dropped the Chronic and Pharcyde and Tribe Called Quest were at their peak; Fortune was enamoured by the sharp contrast to English music culture and embraced the chance to get a hip-hop education. After a year she returned to England , but stayed only 6 months - long enough to take in the new genre called jungle that was sweeping the nation and check out many of the djs who were blowing up the club scene, such as Grooverider, Fabio, Sasha and Boy George!

At the end of '94 Fortune moved to Milwaukee where she has lived ever since, and watched a club music scene develop out of practically nothing, fluctuate up and down, but ultimately always grow better. In 1999 she finally started djing herself, playing mostly hip-hop. Two months later she played her first gig and soon had residencies at underground Milwaukee hip-hop establishments Mars Hotel and Quarters. She quickly developed her style to include house, breaks and techno, the elements she grew up with, and went on to play almost every venue that Milwaukee had to offer, from Dish to Thai Joes, Three to Mantra Lounge, performing throughout the state, Minneapolis and Ilinois. She has made frequent appearances in Chicago locales Streetside, DarkRoom, MoonShine, Visions, Zentra and is a regularly found playing at the legendary SmartBar.

Her achievements include: winning the Triple Threat DJ Battle in 2003; being the featured Info DJ in 2004; being nominated an '05 Scion Emerging Artist; founding For U Events in 2005, which in 2010 continues to be a leader in longevity, regularly producing quality, diverse dance music events; coordinating the six date Milwaukee leg of the national Scion/Imeem BEAT Tour 06. She has had the privilege of being booked to open for numerous talented artists, including Pezzner, Johnny Fiasco, Derrick Carter, Audiojack, Green Velvet, Justin Long, Kaskade, Jamie Thinnes, Colette, Gene Farris, Miss Honey Dijon, Dayhota, JT Donaldson, Stacy Kidd and Kid Sister; one of the highlights of her dj experience so far was visiting Qbert at his home in 2001 and having the honour of scratching (or attempting to!) with him and Flare at the Octagon. In January of 2009 Fortune quit her more than 6 year long residency, at Milwaukee's home for EDM, Three - the longest running residency to exist in the city! Since then she has played several times in San Francisco and will be traveling more in 2010, with plans for Europe in the works. Back at home she still co-ordinates regular events at a number of diverse venues, giving her the creative freedom to book a range of artists in appropriately tailored settings.

Fortunes main mission will always be to make people happy. "Some dj for the buzz of controlling the crowd, some for glory, others for the creativity. Since I was a child I have always been literally moved by music; from those first family parties, music has been presented to me as something that goes hand in hand with moments of happiness. Providing the medium that brings that same enjoyment to others, making them smile, dance or just close their eyes for a moment, is what really fulfills me."

MYSPACE