“Joni Mitchell tinged with a jazzy sass.” — JazzTimes
Acclaimed vocalist Jenna Mammina celebrates the music of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, two artists who have shaped her musical voice since her early years. Moving effortlessly between jazz, folk, pop, and Americana, Mammina brings fresh phrasing, improvisation, and a deeply personal storytelling sensibility to two of the most beloved songbooks of the singer-songwriter era.
Praised by the Los Angeles Times as an artist who “deserves to be more widely heard,” Mammina is known for transforming familiar songs while preserving the spirit that made them enduring. Her connection to this repertoire runs deep: both Mitchell and Taylor were formative influences, and James Taylor’s music has appeared throughout her recorded work.
Mammina has been recognized by Jazziz Magazine as one of the leading women of jazz/pop crossover for three consecutive years and was named Jazz Performer of the Year by SF Weekly. Throughout her career, she has performed with artists including Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Rickie Lee Jones, and Rosemary Clooney.
For this special program at Meyhouse Jazz, Mammina revisits the lyrical storytelling, unforgettable melodies, and emotional depth of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor, offering her own jazz-inflected perspective on songs that have resonated across generations.