Under the Influence, was one of the most widely praised debuts in recent memory, earning a four-star review in Japan's most prestigious jazz magazine, Swing Journal, and appearing on numerous critics' lists of the best recordings of 1999. And now comes the eagerly-awaited Meant to Be, a new collection of songs that proves to be a worthy successor to her auspicious premiere.

Like its predecessor, Meant to Be, reflects the breadth and depth of Jenna's musical tastes and her command of a vast range of styles. The album features an array of songs from the repertoires of Duke Ellington and Fats Waller, Steely Dan and U2, as well as two originals. Choosing material with daring, Jenna makes a convincing case for herself as an artist whose music transcends category.

Jenna made a big change in 1986 and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, with its rich and varied musical heritage. She didn't take long to fully immerse herself in the jazz scene meeting Bobby McFerrin, Ed Kelly, Eddie Marshall, Peter Apfelbaum, and Tuck Andress. She was also attracted to the burgeoning women's music community, where she worked with June Millington, Vicki Randle, Chris Williamson, and Barbara Higbie. During that time Jenna began to build an impressive list of recording credits, including session work with Narada Michael Walden, the Spinners, and Ray Obiedo.

Jenna continued singing in a variety of Bay Area clubs through the 80s and into the 90s, winning new fans and earning raves from critics, including Phillip Elwood, the widely respected jazz writer for the San Francisco Examiner, who wrote that Mammina "...radiates a feeling of ecstasy on stage...loving every minute in the spotlight and treating every song in a most remarkable and personal manner."

Jenna's restless artistic spirit is reflected in her constant travels, as she divides her time between San Francisco, New York, and her hometown, St. Joseph, Michigan. She has performed extensively in her home state and throughout the Midwest, including regular gigs at Chicago's Green Mill, appearances on the Detroit-based syndicated radio program of noted journalist/author, Mitch Albom, and multiple visits to the Michigan Womyn¹s Music Festival. In New York, she has appeared at the Knitting Factory, Wetlands, Town Hall, and at the JVC Jazz Festival. On the west coast, she has performed at noted venues such as Yoshi's, The Fillmore, and the Great American Music Hall, and at the Monterey, Big Sur, San Francisco, and Mount Hood Jazz Festivals.

And of course, she continues to play club dates with her own groups, assembling the stellar talents of musicians such as pianist Matt Rollings, reedman Paul McCandless, bassist James Genus, cellist Matt Brubeck, and violinist Darol Anger. Jenna most often teams up with her musical director and guitarist, André Bush. "It's always a new challenge. The interaction with every musician is always an inspiration to me. It allows me to be who I am as a vocalist and to give my audience the best performance possible." 890 Info & Bookings