|
Event
Jill Jack and Billy Brandt
Jill Jack's magical connection to her audience is the result of her generous artistry. By combining her gifts as a conceptual visionary with a warm gathering of musical influences, Jill touches that secret heart of ours with her melodies and lyrics. In her hometown of Detroit, Jill needs no further explanation. She's been lauded in equal measure to her talents: Since 1997 she's won 38 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. It's simply called connecting, and it's the bounty of a true songwriter open to all of life: her own defeats, victories, hopes dashed, dreams fulfilled, her muse, her loneliness, her misplaced love and her romantic successes.
Jill has built her audience with her whimsical, genuine live performances. Genuine is the defining term here. Propelled by her musical exemplars Joni Mitchell and Emmy Lou Harris, there are few performers with less conflict between who they are on stage and off than Jill. She extends the tradition of the confessional (i.e. achingly open, unafraid of intimacy) singer-songwriter, and is proud of that style and its continuation.
You get all of Jill Jack in a performance -- her blend of folk and rock traditions, her open humor, her fine band. Jill harbors little of her process from her audience -- each performance is about opening a window and shining a light into her songwriting, leading inevitably to the intense relationship with her fans. Her career is founded on folk's best idea -- that there's a shared knowing between artist and audience, a conversation that flows both ways during a show. Plus she's a strong woman who's won over the toughest town in a man's world -- she's a bandleader, the principal songwriter in a large group bearing her own name, an employer and automatic arbiter of musician's issues.
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 -- Bob Seger, John Waite, Emmylou Harris, Shawn Colvin, Patty Griffin, Dan Fogelberg, Marshall Crenshaw, Chris Issak, and Loretta Lynn, who gave Jill priceless backstage encouragement and advice. As well she developed her reputation as headliner at venues & festivals -- SXSW (South by Southwest), Ann Arbor Folk Festival, 30A Songwriters Festival, WYCD Downtown Hoedown, Blissfest Music Festival, The Bluebird Café, The Living Room in NYC, and consistent sell-out shows at the historical Ark in Ann Arbor, MI. Regional touring has branched to successful tours of England and all over America. Jill was also a finalist in the Susanne Millsaps Performing Songwriter Showcase, and was chosen as an Americana semifinalist in the International Songwriting Competition for Fallen (A Love Song). Jack now has 10 Award winning CD's to her name and is currently working on #11.
Billy Brandt is a multiple-award-winning Detroit area singer-songwriter, whose rootsy, folky, psychedelic alt-country background underpins strong songwriting and an adventurous spirit. A mainstay of the local Detroit scene, Billy's collaborations with other artists are near-legendary - and you're as likely to find him out playing with former protegee Jill Jack, or his 'Celticana' duo with Sarana VerLin, or his roots rock combo Grievous Angel, as you are to find him solo. His excellent solo album 'The Mission Band' showcases both his songwriting and his performance collaborations, and is well worth more than one listen. Billy's love for music is infectious, and his embrace of different genres brings a richness and an expanse to his shows. Be prepared for a genial, convivial, and musically rewarding evening with songs you know, songs you might know, and songs you will discover and treasure. And will earworm you unmercifully.
|
|
 |
LocationTrinity House Theatre (View)
38840 West Six Mile
Livonia, MI 48152
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
|
Contact
|
