Jump, Little Children
| Company type | Indie rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States |
| Headquarters | Charleston , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
| Website | www |
Jump, Little Children was a United States-based indie rock group that originated in 1991 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Recognized for their distinctive musical style and dynamic performances, they cultivated a loyal fan base and became a prominent fixture within the Charleston, South Carolina music community. Their name is inspired by a track from blues artist Leroy Dallas, which was subsequently covered by Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee.
1991–1994: Origins
The band Jump, Little Children was established in 1991 by Jay Clifford, Matthew Bivins, Ward Williams, and Christopher Pollen while attending the North Carolina School of the Arts. Their debut appearance took place on January 1, 1992, during a New Year's festival held in Winston-Salem.
Initially focused on performing Irish music, Clifford, Bivins, and Pollen traveled to Ireland in 1992 to enhance their musical skills. Upon their return, Evan Bivins became part of the group as plans were made to relocate to Boston, Massachusetts. During the summer of 1993 in Charleston, South Carolina, they encountered Jonathan Gray, who would later join the band. In late 1993, they released a self-produced cassette combining original compositions with traditional Irish tunes. Christopher Pollen departed to join a religious order, and Clifford along with the Bivins brothers moved back to Charleston in 1994.
1995–1999: The Licorice Tea Demos, Buzz, and Magazine
Shortly afterward, Gray and Williams became members, and the band began attracting attention through street performances in Charleston. Their musical direction shifted from Irish influences toward alternative rock. Early in 1995, they issued The Licorice Tea Demos and embarked on an extensive tour throughout the Southeastern United States. Their track "Quiet" received airplay on regional radio stations. Starting in 1996, they initiated annual New Year's Eve concerts at Charleston’s Dock Street Theatre.
In early 1997, the band released the live EP titled Buzz. Interest from record labels followed, culminating in a contract with Breaking Records—a label under Atlantic Records created by Hootie and the Blowfish—in 1998. Their only album released through Breaking Records was Magazine, produced by Brad Jones and launched that autumn. The single "Cathedrals" achieved nationwide radio exposure throughout the subsequent year.
2000–2005: Vertigo and Between The Dim & The Dark
Capitalizing on the momentum from "Cathedrals," recording sessions for Vertigo took place late in 2000. The album was co-produced by Clifford and Brad Wood, with mixing handled by David Leonard. Its release faced delays due to Breaking Records being dropped by Atlantic. After resolving legal issues, Jump, Little Children independently issued Vertigo via their own EZ Chief Records label in September 2001. The album attained position No. 44 on the Billboard Top Independent Albums chart.
Between 2002 and 2003, the band expanded their touring circuit to include the Midwest and West Coast, released a concert DVD named Live At The Music Farm, and developed EZ Chief Records further by launching a website offering customized CDs featuring independent artists. Following a short hiatus in 2003, they shortened their name to "Jump" and unveiled Between The Dim & The Dark in April 2004 under Brash Music; this record was produced by Rick Beato. The album received positive critical acclaim and was succeeded by the EP Between The Glow & The Light released in April 2005.
On June 16, 2005, the band revealed that their tenth consecutive Dock Street Theatre New Year's shows would serve as their farewell performances. The final concert on December 30, 2005, held in Charleston featured songs from members’ upcoming projects and concluded with an impromptu busking session reminiscent of their earliest days together. During this event, Amanda Kapousouz announced the creation of a scholarship fund at the College of Charleston dedicated to honoring the band’s legacy.
2006–2015: Period of Inactivity
The band's last recording before a lengthy pause was the double live album Live at the Dock Street Theatre released in 2006. Following this, members scattered across the country to engage in separate artistic endeavors. In May 2014, Jay Clifford suggested the possibility of a reunion tour slated for 2015.
2015–2018: Band Reunion
On March 13, 2015, the group launched a new website that previewed the eleventh Dock Street event with a countdown leading to December 28, 2015. By May 2015, they announced a comprehensive reunion tour titled "Church and Queen," which included four club performances alongside two Dock Street concerts. Due to overwhelming interest, both Dock Street shows sold out within sixty seconds, prompting the addition of three extra club dates.
This reunion rekindled a strong emotional connection between Jump, Little Children and their fanbase. After experiencing this renewed bond, the band decided to collaborate on a selective basis rather than resuming full-time rock band activities, emphasizing purposeful partnerships grounded in friendship.
On November 10, 2016, Jump, Little Children revealed plans to perform at the High Water Festival hosted by Shovels & Rope, followed by a brief Southeastern tour scheduled for April 2017.
2018–2022: Releases of Sparrow and Foundering
In January 2018, the band announced their first complete studio album in over thirteen years. Sparrow was officially released on September 14, 2018, with its lead track "Hand on My Heartache" premiering as a lyric video on the music publication American Songwriter website on August 16, 2018.
On October 5, 2021, Matt and Evan Bivins left the group to concentrate on launching a business together. The remaining trio continued performing under the Jump, Little Children name. Their sixth studio album, Foundering, was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee during March 2022 and released on September 23, 2022. The band declared that this record and its accompanying tour would mark their final chapter. The "Farewell Tour," comprising fifteen shows across the Southeast, featured Christina Cone on vocals and keyboards along with Josh Kaler on drums. The tour culminated with two concluding performances at Charleston Music Hall on December 30, 2022.
Members
Primary Members
- Evan Bivins (1993–2021): drums
- Matthew Bivins (1991–2021): vocals, accordion, harmonica, mandolin, melodica, tin whistle
- Jay Clifford (1991–2022): vocals, rhythm guitar
- Jonathan Gray (1994–2022): double bass
- Ward Williams (1991–2022): cello, guitar
Former Members
- Christopher Pollen: guitar
- Tim Connell: tin whistle, mandolin, electric bass
Guest Musicians
- Christina Cone (of Frances Cone): vocals, keyboard
- Josh Kaler (of Hula Hi-Fi and Slow Runner): drums, pedal steel
- Michael Bellar (of The As-Is Ensemble): piano
- Amanda Kapousouz (of Tin Cup Prophette): violin
Television and Film
Jump, Little Children's music has been featured in various television programs and movies, boosting their visibility. The track "B-13" appeared in Party of Five (1999) as well as Scrubs (2007). "Cathedrals" was showcased in Everwood (2003), Netflix's The Society, and served as the closing song for the film "Modi - Three Days on the Wings of Madness," directed by Johnny Depp. It was also included in an episode of So You Think You Can Dance (2011).
The song "Mexico" featured on the soundtrack of Zach Braff's movie Wish I Was Here (2014). Furthermore, Jump, Little Children appeared in a True Music (HDNet) episode covering South by Southwest 2004.
Studio albums
- The Licorice Tea Demos (1995) – Self-released
- Magazine (September 1, 1998) – Breaking Records/Atlantic Records
- Vertigo (September 25, 2001) – EZ Chief Records
- Between the Dim & the Dark (April 20, 2004) – Brash Music
- Sparrow (September 14, 2018)
- Foundering (September 23, 2022)
EPs
- Buzz (January 25, 1997) – Self-published
- Between The Glow & The Light (April 14, 2005) – EZ Chief Records
Compilations
- The Early Years, Volume 1 (June 1, 2001) – EZ Chief Records
Live albums
- Live at the Dock Street Theatre (May 2, 2006) – EZ Chief Records
Videos
- Live at the Music Farm (September 6, 2002)
External links
- Official website
- AllMusic profile
- Discogs artist page
- MusicBrainz entry
- Articles with short description
- Indie rock musical groups from North Carolina
- American street performers
- Musical groups from South Carolina
- Musical groups established in 1991
- Musical groups disestablished in 2005
- Atlantic Records artists
- 1991 establishments in North Carolina
- Musical groups reestablished in 2015