After beginning her professional music career in the 1970s, Jackie played lounges and riverboats in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky areas. At The Old Saloon in Kenwood, she was mentored by banjoist/bass player Ralph Guenther and pianist Saul Striks. (Not to mention Jazzou Jones, who taught her to appreciate classical ragtime.) Besides studying banjo, she took voice lessons at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. She performed regularly on BB Riverboat cruises and for events at the local recreation commission and Council on Aging.
Her career highlight (so far!) was a gig on the historic Steamboat Delta Queen, subbing for the late Vic Tooker.
When Jackie moved to Stuart, Florida, she found another mentor, clarinetist Bruce Eidson, and expanded her repertoire to include the traditional American heritage jazz and Dixieland music she had learned to love.
Besides many "single" gigs, she’s appeared with Roy Lang’s Traditional Jass Band, Bill Sherman groups, the Baisen Street Bandwagon and Lois Sherrard at venues including:
The Hot Jazz and Alligator Gumbo Society
The Suncoast Dixieland Jazz Society
Stuart’s Dancin’ in the Streets
Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival
Martin County Artsfest
Goombay Bash
Dodgertown
Roger Dean Stadium
Thomas White Stadium
Fretted Instrument Guild of America convention
Florida Banjo Bash
Jupiter Island Yacht Club and Jupiter Island Club
Sandhill Cove Club
Harbour Ridge
Palm Beach Kennel Club
Palm Beach Country Club
Palm Beach Polo Club
The Breakers
Florida riverboats: Belle Carol, Island Princess, Jean Nicolet
In 2003, Jackie returned to the Ohio River, playing at the Tall Stacks Steamboat Heritage Festival, 30 years after she began performing professionally in Cincinnati.