On Friday, Nov. 10, at 8:30 p.m. Emmy-Award winning duo Jack and Kitty will be performing at the Orpheum Theatre (Studio Pizza) in Hancock. The two are an “Organic Vaudeville and Jug Band” based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota, performing folk shows across the U.S.
Jack and Kitty’s musical style stems from the 1920s tradition of American jug band music, with Jamaican as well as modern pop influences from Kitty’s upbringing in Jamaica, where she also listened to R&B, rap and reggae. Kitty is the niece of Bunny Wailer, of Bob Marley and the Wailers. Jack, on the other hand, spent his childhood listening to musicians such as Bing Crosby, Al Jolson and Rudy Vallee after discovering his grandfather’s phonograph collection. As a child, Jack was influenced by Tiny Tim when the ukuleleist moved in next door to his family and became Jack’s babysitter. The couple’s website, https://jackandkittymusic.com, shows an entire “genealogy” of the couple’s musical influences via a family tree, which includes influences from across many musical domains. The pair plays an eclectic variety of instruments as well, including banjo, guitar, ukulele, washboard, jug, kazoo, harmonica and many others.
Highly active in their musical careers and boasting accomplishments in filmmaking and television as well, Jack and Kitty perform over 300 shows a year. The couple, who were high school sweethearts, have also founded the production company Brizo Media Group, which is home to their films, television series, concert events and albums. Brizo has produced an Emmy-award winning PBS television series, and this year is working on a full-length horror film. The duo is fully independent and artist-owned. To explore their creative works, visit their website (above) or check out their Youtube channel, JackAndKitty.
Jack and Kitty have been called “One of the most entertaining acoustic groups in the Midwest” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Their performances are renowned for being suitable and fun for people of all ages. Be sure to go out and see them play!
