"It’s been a long time since I’ve come across a CD that compelled me to listen to every song from top to bottom, and left me wanting for more. The song selections and performances truly reflect the incredible chemistry between Jenna and Rolf. Needless to say, I absolutely love their CD!!! Go Jenna & Rolf!!” – Larry Batiste (Music Director for the Grammys) Jenna & Rolf first met in NYC at the very end of 1995 in a rehearsal for a rock orchestra called “Illuminati”. It was a 17 piece ensemble that was focused on the music of the Grateful Dead. The band toured the United States and Canada, recording and touring with a couple members from the Grateful Dead. Jenna & Rolf performed for 3 years together in Illuminati and appeared on 3 of the band’s recordings. During this time period, Jenna & Rolf talked about putting a duo together…. “someday”. But time passed. In January of 2014 they decided that “someday” had arrived. Jenna returned to New York in June, they played their first gig together in 18 years, and went into the recording studio the next day. The recording they made, entitled “Spark”, was released in 2015. It is still receiving nationwide radio play and the two have been touring almost every month since its release. Their new CD, “Begin To Dance”, is finally here!! They are happy to be performing so much and audiences are unanimous, this is a very special pairing. ABOUT JENNA “Exquisite!” says author/radio host Ben Fong-Torres, former senior editor of Rolling Stone Magazine and perennial king of what’s hot and what’s not. He’s talking about pop/jazz vocalist/songwriter Jenna Mammina and he is not alone. Recognized as one of the leading women of jazz/pop crossover for three years in a row by Jazziz Magazine, she has shared the cover alongside Diana Krall and Norah Jones. Ms. Mammina has been awarded Jazz Performer of the Year for the SF Weekly, a nomination for Best Jazz Album for her Meant to Be cd, by the California Music Awards, and the Goldy Award for her tireless work with children through her Scat for Cats program. Jenna’s first album, Under the Influence, earned a four-star review in Japan’s most prestigious jazz magazine, Swing Journal. Jenna has performed with a vast array of legendary talent, such as Bobby McFerrin, June Millington, Rickie Lee Jones, Al Jarreau, Phish, David Sanborn, Ray Obiedo, Wil Ackerman, Liz Story, Tuck Andress, and Rosemary Clooney. Jenna has graced the stages of esteemed venues like Yoshi’s in Oakland, California, Town Hall in New York, The Green Mill in Chicago, and festivals such as Jazz Aspen, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage, Monterey San Francisco, Big Sur and Mount Hood. “Jenna could sing a page from the phone book and make it sound like her own private piece of the sky. Like a devious detective, she can look around a room of any size and use that gift to freestyle a song on the spot about the people in it, including her band.” – Kimberlye Gold “Mammina deserves to be more widely heard.” – Don Heckman – LA Times ABOUT ROLF “Rolf Sturm is an astounding fingerstyle player effortlessly alternating between swinging jazz chords and beautifully executed single note lines. His improvisational abilities are both impressive and expressive.”, writes James Scott from his Minor 7th Webzine review of Rolf’s solo CD: “Balance”. “..Sturm is a prodigious talent and is an unparalleled virtuoso of the nylon stringed guitar. “Balance” is highly recommended and should be required listening for all fans of contemporary music.” Rolf’s guitar playing has also earned the praise of Joe Pass, Jim Hall, John Abercrombie, and Bill Frisell. He appears on over 60 CDs, performing with and/or appearing on recordings that feature Tony Trischka, Loudon Wainwright, Anthony Braxton, David Johansen, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Glen Velez, Maggie Roche, Jorma Kaukonen, Roswell Rudd, Ike Willis, Eddy Arnold, and members of the Grateful Dead. Rolf has toured the United States, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Canada, and the UK, performing at dozens of jazz, jam band/rock, folk, and blues festivals (including the World Expo 2000 in Hanover, Germany, the JVC Jazz Festival, the Boston Folk Festival, the Syracuse Jazz Festival, Ripplefest, Music On The Mountain Festival, and the Toronto Jazz Festival.). He has performed at Lincoln Center, and Town Hall in NYC, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. His music has been featured on National Public Radio’s All Songs Considered. His solo guitar recording, “Balance”, was awarded 4 stars in DownBeat magazine. “He is one of the best solo acoustic and electric guitarists in the business, an in-demand sideman, comfortable playing in almost any style, and much admired by established artists of all genres.” – Rick Dandes, “Applause” Daily Item Newspaper ” “…a distinct and compelling acoustic voice… Rolf has a sturdy melodic sense, imbued with a sense of inevitability…Rolf is also a master of scrumptious chord motion.” -Tony Trischka (banjo master)