Boogie Woogie Babies consists of 3 of West Michigan's finest vocalists and pianist....
Francesca Amari
Mary Rademacher
Barbara Wisse
with Mark Kahny on the piano...
...Carol Black now joins the group when one of the original three is unavailable.
Francesca is the creator/founder of BWB. She has earned acclaim from New York to Los Angeles with her critically acclaimed cabaret shows since her 2007 NYC debut, “SECRETLY SQUARE: Guilty Pleasure Songs” @ the esteemed Metropolitan Room. She appeared in the AZ, FL & PA Non-Equity premieres of “Midlife! The Crisis Musical” by Bob/Jim Walton & in concert in NYC w/ Broadway star Karen Mason & cabaret legend Andrea Marcovicci. She was a guest artist and the prestigious 2008 Lyrics and Lyricists Program at the 92nd Street Y in NYC w/. Ms. Marcovicci. Francesca debuted her new show, “YOU MAKE ME LAUGH: A Love Song to Gilda Radner” @ a 10-day festival for Gilda’s Club WestMI, sharing the schedule w/ Betty White, Bill Cosby & more, & has repeated the show to critical praise and packed audiences in Los Angeles and Palm Springs. She tours w/ her trio, Boogie Woogie Babies, w/ 3 revues she created; and has appeared in “Pump Boys & Dinettes,” “Beehive” & “A…My Name is Alice.” She’s a Teaching Artist for McCallum Theatre Institute; Author Services Manager for Windy City Publishing; and directs audiobooks for Brilliance Audio and Random House/Books on Tape. www.CabaretAmari.com
Recently named Jazz Musician of the Year by the West MI Jazz Society, Mary is one of West MI’s busiest jazz vocalists. She has toured overseas with the USO, appeared in dozens of West MI theatre productions, is a regional Star Search winner, a former Michigan State University Cheerleader (Go Green!) and is a busy choreographer and fitness trainer. She entertains throughout Michigan and beyond as a vocalist -- most recently at the prestigious Sun Valley, ID and Sacramento, CA jazz festivals, with World Class Jazz Tours, in Florida at Heidi’s Jazz Club, and she has opened for Bob Newhart. In addition to her own band, The RadPack, she performs regularly with The Night Band (17 piece) and the Midtown Horns Band in clubs, casinos and for private or corporate events. Both of her CDs, RadHOT and You Hit the Spot!, have been released to critical acclaim. Mary recently released a duets CD with popular West MI vocalist, Rick Reuther, called “Two of a Kind,” Visit her website: www.maryrad.com
Barbara Wisse
"Barb Wisse will sing you right out of your seat!” - Gerald Elliot, Grand Rapids Press Music Critic
Barbara has been a featured singer and actor in musicals, revues and benefits during her career as a performer. Her silky voice and character acting have garnered her numerous leading roles on stages throughout West Michigan and can be heard on Circle Theatre’s “Tapestry, the Music of Carole King” CD. After earning her master’s degree, Barbara studied voice and theatre in London and New York and sang with the vocal jazz quartet, Rapid Jazz. One woman cabaret shows include Laughing Matters, All the Best, and Wishin’ and Hopin’. Barbara taught performing arts for 15 years with Grand Rapids Public Schools. During that time, she directed and choreographed over 30 musicals with students ranging in age from five to twelve and created and directed many educational videos with her students. As a result of her work, she received the Excellence in Teaching Award from Grand Rapids Public Schools in 1990. In demand as an educational consultant, one of her current projects is creating and implementing a unit of study for 3rd graders with the Grand Rapids Art Museum. Barbara considers herself fortunate to be able to pursue her two greatest passions: teaching and performing!
Mark Kahny is an incredible pianist and one of West Michigan's finest keyboard and vocal talents, in demand by vocalists and bands alike. His career as an entertainer started at the young age of 15. He has a degree in classical piano performance from the University of Cincinnati's prestigious Conservatory of Music. He's toured from Vegas to Chicago with a 9 piece horn band, "Kops & Robbers," and throughout the Midwest with the wildly entertaining vocal trio, "Boogie Woogie Babies." Mark is featured on numerous CDs, including "RadHot" and "You Hit the Spot" by jazz vocalist Mary Rademacher, "Girl Talk" by jazz vocalist Edye Evans Hyde and "Boogie Woogie Babies” and “Boogie, Beehives & Beyond!” Mark's critically-acclaimed CD, "Universe of Two," is a sensuous and dreamy mix of eclectic pop and jazz-tinged "off-the beaten path" rarities, with classical piano movie themes thrown in for good measure. Mark's regularly featured as a headliner with World Class Jazz tours, performing throughout Michigan, and has worked with such celebrities as Red Buttons, Regis Philbin and Ray Charles. Known predominantly as an outstanding jazz player, his influences include Rachmaninoff to Irving Berlin and Stephen Sondheim, and Scott Joplin to Billy Joel. His extensive knowledge of jazz and standards, along with classic light rock hits makes every selection one to look forward to.
Carol Black
is a veteran West Michigan singer, actress and commercial talent. She has performed leading roles in over 40 productions and has appeared on all the major stages in Grand Rapids as well as dinner theatre venues throughout Michigan. She helped create and performed in two successful musical revues - Not for Women Only and Lime Jello Marshmellow Surprise - as well as her own cabaret show, Damsels and Divas. Carol was the television spokesperson for a large Spartan Store chain in the 80’s and early 90’s and has been a successful voice-over and on-camera talent for many Michigan corporations over the last 20 years. Carol’s volunteer work as a Board member for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, Circle Theatre and Actors’ Theatre led her to a professional career as the Development Director for The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids and later St. Cecilia Music Center. She has been the featured vocalist with several bands, including Ray Gill’s Big Band, the Eric Wendlandt Trio and River City Jazz Band. Carol is thrilled to be singing with her long-time fellow performers and dear friends, the Boogie Woogie Babies!
