Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Marie Burke
Hi Jill Marie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a Los Angeles county native and grew up in La Mirada. By age 3, I knew I was going to be a singer/actor.
My first professional job was portraying Princess Jasmine at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. More Disney appearances include portraying Ariel and Pocahontas in their live stage shows.
When work was slow at home, I took to the seas and performed on cruise ships as their Principal Vocalist for several years.
I’m an a cappella geek, so I made the rounds within that community working in different vocal groups and making lifetime friends along the way.
My love of musical theater continued doing productions in the LA area and abroad, traveling to places like Edinburgh Scotland for their Fringe Festivals.
I began teaching part-time as a private vocal instructor in 2007 and that eventually led me to JAXX THEATRICALS in Hollywood as a staff musical director working with both kids and adults. Most recently this year, I starred in their productions of CHESS and RENT.
In 2014, I launched my own Pat Benatar tribute band LIVE FROM EARTH – PAT BENATAR AND BEYOND. After 10 years, we are still going strong. Plus I portray Pat Benatar in the long-running tribute show LEGENDS IN CONCERT in Las Vegas and Branson.
Other projects I am involved with include the cabaret revue HOLLYWOOD REVISITED, celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.
And finally, I enjoy heading down to Anaheim Stadium every baseball season to sing our National Anthem for the Los Angeles Angels.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s never been a smooth road, perhaps only smooth memorable moments. There are always financial struggles when work is slow, so it’s been important to make myself as versatile as possible in this competitive industry. If I’m not working onstage, I’m working behind the scenes. If I’m not performing, I’ll be teaching instead. If I’m struggling in my career, then it’s time to evolve and learn another skill within the business. I’ve had to lean into producing, managing, editing, etc. It is all knowledge that only helps in the end. But it is a struggle, no doubt.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
If you remember the “Priceline Negotiator” jingle in the William Shatner commercials…that’s me!
It seems that music has taken the lead in my career so far. When the pandemic hit, it was necessary to record vocals and do filming a lot in my home studio. As a result, I’m finally comfortable doing so and it is a far more enjoyable experience. If I had a 9-5 job simply recording vocals at Capitol Records every day, I would be in Heaven.
In 2020 during the lockdown, I produced a video of artists performing “Hear My Song” from the Jason Robert Brown musical SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD. It was accomplished with every single vocalist and instrumentalist not ever meeting together to record. It was done entirely remote and final product was absolutely magical. (Find it on my YouTube channel.)
What sets me apart? Just being Jill. I often pay tribute to my heroes and mentors who have influenced me throughout my career. But in the end I bring to the table my own tone and persona.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Anyone who knows me understands my connection to Johnny Mathis or my “Uncle John.” My lovely mother Maria Niemela was his Fan Club Director and affiliate for decades, beginning before I was born. So you could say he was quite the vocal influence early in my life. To this day, I still visit him at his home and attend his concerts. He’s 89 years old and a wonderful human being!
I would like to thank my parents for never discouraging me in my pursuit of this career. They are my biggest fans.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jillmarieburke.com/
- Instagram: @jillmarieburke
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livefromearthtribute
- Twitter: @jillmarieburke
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JillMarieBurke
- Other: https://patbenatartributeband.com/
