Jill Salkin

Jill Salkin is a Philadelphia based singer and songwriter. Her earliest music influences include Motown, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, and Steely Dan. Writing poetry at age 14, led to songwriting and performing, accompanying herself on piano and guitar. Her music studies at Temple University gave Jill the opportunity to be a member of the jazz vocal ensemble, where she found the joy of scat singing and being a concert soloist. At this time, Jill was invited to be one of the lead vocalists in a band that played in clubs in South Jersey, where she sang the music of artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Renaissance, and Heart.

 

One of the highlights of Jill’s early career was opening for Jesse Colin-Young at the Bijou Cafe, in Philadelphia, performing her original songs. The next important time in Jill’s music career came when she made her home in Atlantic City to sing in casino lounges with her own band. She was also a showroom background singer for Phylicia Rashad and also, Harry Blackstone, Jr. for his Christmas holiday shows. During this time, Jill made two appearances at Upstairs at Greene Street, in New York City.

 

When Jill moved back to Philadelphia, she continued on the path of writing songs about her life, and continued to play them at her solo gigs. “Heart’s Desire,” was the title of Jill’s first CD, a compilation of her original songs. At the same time, she was singing a large repertoire of jazz standards, the music of singers such as Anita Baker and Patti Austin, and Brazilian music from Jobim and Javan.

 

Coming full circle, “The Very Thought of You,” Jill’s second release, was played on Temple’s jazz station, where Jill was interviewed several times. Songs from this CD were featured on other jazz stations in the U.S., and on the web, and can be heard on Pandora Radio.

 

The most recent of Jill’s CDs, “What the World Needs Now,” has a mix of jazz, blues, classic pop, and original songs. Her performances are a reflection of the variety of genres on this recording. Jill continues to write songs and perform in clubs and concert venues in Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware.