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Candye Kane got interested in Judaism a er viewing "Fiddler on the Roof" on video.

MAMA

Overcoming a checkered past and converting to Judaism,
singer Can dye Kane finds personal and professional success.

BILL CARROLL

Special to the Jewish News

Ann Arbor
andye Kane will sing jazz and the blues at the
Ark in Ann Arbor Monday, June 14, but the
audience probably would be just as enthralled
if she simply stood there and told her life story.
Because while reading almost like an "X"-rated
movie, or an episode of television's Jerry Springer
Show, her tale is 100 percent nonfiction.
Everything about Kane is real: her name (her par-
ents thought it would be cute); her weight (200
pounds); her bra size (44G); her religion (she con-
verted to Judaism four years ago and loves it) and her

C

past (she's a former stripper and porn movie star).
jump to a rendition of "Whole Lotta Love" Led
Kane, 42, plays 250 gigs a year all over the world,
Zeppelin style, from her CD of the same name —
has appeared on numerous TV shows and in several
her latest and most successful recording yet.
movies and headlines at the top jazz and blues festi-
And she'll be bedecked in bright-colored feathers,
vals. She's recorded a dozen CDs, won some per-
sequins and rhinestones.
formance awards and played with or supported such
..- A music critic describes Kane's voice as "a natural
music luminaries as B.B. King, Ray Charles, Dwight
wonder, like the Grand Canyon." Her live band fea-
Yoakum, Lyle Lovett, Warren Zevon, Etta James and
tures her son, Evan Caleb, 24, on drums and Kyle
Mavis Staples.
Jester on guitar, plus a bassist and pianist.
Kane's show at the Ark will be one of her typical
Their audience at festivals usually is a mixture of
performances — reflecting her lifetime experiences
"the disenfranchised" — bikers, porn fans, feminists,
and challenges. She honors the bold blues women of
homosexuals, fat girls, men who love fat girls, rocka-
the past, and belts, growls, shouts, croons and moans • billy admirers — and just plain jazz and blues fans.
from years of suffering and overcoming obstacles.
She'll deliver a jazz or blues tune or a ballad, then
HOT JEWISH MAMA on page 34

6/11
2004

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