MAMA'S Coffeehouse
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May 19 - Jill Jack with Mark Iannace

Jill Jack and Mark IannaceBy combining her gifts as a conceptual visionary with a warm gathering of musical influences, Jill Jack touches that secret heart of ours with her melodies and lyrics.Since 1997 she's won 33 Detroit Music Awards (see full list) in every conceivable category that applies to a singer-songwriter. Much of this provincial success is due to her charming stage presence and emotive songwriting. Jill has built her audience with her whimsical, genuine live performances.  

Jill began her professional career singing backup with well known Detroit country and rock names The Forbes Brothers and Stewart Francke. By the late 90s she was writing constantly, fronting her own band and beginning to open for what would become a long list of prominent touring acts.

"Her voice can soar like opera and smoke like the blues ... one of the strongest voices in Detroit, or in the country for that matter." -- The Detroit Free Press

Mark Iannace (aka Dr. Bellows) has been 'practicing' the medicinal art of music for quite some time now. A veteran of the Detroit music scene and the folk circuit, Mark has performed in many different avenues ... from contemporary folk, to musical theatre, to vocal jazz.
 
For the past several years Mark has been touring with Americana artist Jill Jack as a duo as well as in Jill's quartet and full band.  Mark was the 2008 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest Midwest Regional Finalist and also a 2007 Detroit Music Awards Nominee for "Outstanding Acoustic/Folk Instrumentalist".

MAMA's own fabulous sound man Dennis Kingsbury, aka Floyd King, will open the show. Dennis grew up on a farm near St. Anthony, Iowa, and has loved music as long as he can remember. "I used to sing Gene Pitney songs while on my tractor," he recalls. "My neighbors would say they could hear me from a half-mile away." Dennis has written more than 200 songs and says his inspiration comes from real places and events and always start with a story.

 

General Information

  • MAMA's Coffeehouse is held at Birmingham Unitarian Church. Click here for directions.
  • General admission is $12 unless otherwise indicated. Seniors (62 and over), and those under 18, are $10. Children 12 and under are free.
  • Shows begin at 8:00pm unless otherwise specified. Doors open at 7:00pm with open mic beginning 15 minutes later.
  • Open mic starts at 7:30pm with 2 reserved spots available. Please e-mail Jim Bizer at jb@jimbizer.com if you wish to reserve a spot. Walk-ins can sometimes be accommodated.
  • Volunteers receive free admission! Please e-mail MamasCoffeeHouse@ameritech.net if you are interested.
  • To be added to the MAMA's e-mail list or mailing list, send an e-mail message to MamasCoffeeHouse@ameritech.net.  Be sure to indicate which list(s) to add your information.