Jazz and pop singer to light up Sebastiani stage in April

The grand dame of Sonoma Plaza is becoming a must-play venue for touring musicians. And with Sonoma Valley Jazz Society upping its game, our little town is becoming a focal point for some outstanding jazz performances.

Adding to the society’s efforts is Tricia Rissmann, a busy local artist and occasional music promoter. Rissmann has brought several shows into Sebastiani Theatre, and her next is set for Saturday, April 8, when Sonoma will welcome jazz and pop singer Jenna Mammina.

Raised in Michigan but now a Bay Area resident, Mammina is one of those artists who flies somewhat off the radar, but should be smack-dab in the middle. She is ultra-talented and has 12 albums to provide and support her commercial cred.

Mammina has performed with Bobby McFerrin, June Millington, Rickie Lee Jones, Al Jarreau, Phish, David Sanborn, Ray Obiedo and Tuck Andress, to name but a few of the world-class musicians she has on her musical curriculum vitae.

In the absence of a guitarist, Mammina was able to make an impressive special guest score. Falling back on a musical connection solidified years ago, she has the great Paul McCandless joining her for this show. McCandless is a veteran of the Paul Winter Consort and later the hugely influential band Oregon. McCandless plays the oboe like nobody’s business and adds some gorgeous sax and English Horn just for fun.

Her band consists of John R. Burr on piano, Jason Lewis on drums and a special guest to be announced. Her guitarist lives in New York, and at the time of the Index-Tribune interview, may be unable to make the Sonoma gig because he has jury duty, and doesn’t know if he can arrive here on time.

During a telephone conversation from her home, the vocalist recounted her musical path that will lead her to the stage at the Sebastiani.

“I’ve been in music my whole life,” Mammina said. “My mom said that I ‘cooed’ before I talked, and I would be up in the middle of the night cooing to Nat King Cole.”

Mammina told of an early activity she would enjoy at home as a young singer.

“We had a bar, a big wooden bar, in our basement,” she said. “And a dance floor. So, (in the way that) girls play ‘house’ or ‘dolls’ when they are 5 or 6, we played ‘bar.’ My sister was the bartender and I was the singer.”

The conversation moved to musical gear, specifically guitars. Mammina commented that she plays guitar, “but not in public. I sing.”

And sing she does. Really, really well.

“I am not a jazz singer, I am not a pop (singer) … I sing vintage pop, I sing jazz, I sing Americana bluegrass, I sing original stuff,” she said. “So, the show is going to be a blend of songs from my heart.”

For all the vocal accomplishments of which Mammina can boast, she is also a sparkling conversationalist. Asked if she is much of a storyteller on stage, she said, “Yeah, a little bit. I talk. I have a tendency to talk. I like to relate to my audience. I like to be in the experience together, rather than me standing up on stage. We are making this work together. I can’t do it without them. They make me better.”

A Mammina performance is endearing and warm, one that the audience actually becomes part of. Tickets to this special local show are available at the theater’s website, sebastianitheatre.com. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and local music fans should be very pleased they attended by about 7:45 p.m.