Together they create a beautiful sound that captures our imagination and brings a fresh feel to popular songs.
Jenna & Rolf first met in NYC at the very end of 1995 in a rehearsal for a 17 piece rock orchestra that was focused on the music of the Grateful Dead. The band toured the United States and Canada, recording and/or touring with folks like Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane), Catherine Russell, Tom Constanten (Grateful Dead), Ike Willis (Frank Zappa), and Maggie Roche. Jenna was in the band for 3 years. Rolf was in the band for over 10 years. Together they appeared on 3 of the band’s recordings. During this time period, Jenna & Rolf talked about putting a duo together…. “someday.”
Fast forward to January of 2014, they decided that “someday” had finally arrived. Jenna returned to New York in June, they played their first gig together in about 18 years, and went into the recording studio the next day. The recording they made, Spark, was released in 2015. It received nationwide radio play and glowing reviews. Their second album, Begin To Dance, was released in 2017.
The two have been touring almost every month since reconnecting, performing at festivals, conferences, clubs, cafes, and house concerts. They are happy to be performing so much and audiences are unanimous, "this is a very special pairing."
Jenna Mammina
Vocalist Jenna Mammina has been recognized as one of the leading women of jazz/pop crossover for three years in a row by Jazziz Magazine and was awarded Jazz Performer of the Year in the SF Weekly. Jenna has performed with Ricki Lee Jones, Bobby McFerrin, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Phish, and Rosemary Clooney. She’s appeared at Yoshi’s in Oakland, California, The Green Mill in Chicago, and festivals like Jazz Aspen, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage, and Monterey San Francisco. Jenna’s first album, Under the Influence, earned a four-star review in Japan’s most prestigious jazz magazine, Swing Journal.
Rolf Sturm
Guitarist Rolf Sturm has played on over 65 albums. He’s performed with or been on recordings featuring: Loudon Wainwright, David Johansen (Buster Poindexter/NY Dolls), Jorma Kaukonen (Jefferson Airplane), Maggie Roche, Eddy Arnold (Country Music legend), Ike Willis (Frank Zappa), Roswell Rudd, Archie Shepp, Tony Trischka, John Medeski, and Catherine Russell. He has performed at the JVC Jazz Festival, Syracuse Jazz Festival, Toronto Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. He has performed extensively throughout the US and Europe. His music’s been featured on NPR and has received 4 stars in DownBeat magazine.
