JK is an alias used by a number of different artists across pop, dance, jazz, blogging and techno. The name is associated with an Italian Eurodance act fronted by Marta Simlat, an R&B and smooth jazz guitarist Joel Kipnis, and several producers and performers from Europe, Africa and South America.

Italian Eurodance project

One version of JK is an Italian dance act led by vocalist Marta Simlat. The name is chosen because it is short, easy to say and memorable. The project first gains attention with You Make Me Feel Good, which charts successfully in Europe and Canada. Marta later becomes part of the group, and the singles Beat It and You and I follow. You and I reaches number 3 in Israel and its success in France leads to Marta appearing on the cover of the Dance Machine 6 compilation.

The act continues with My Radio in 1996. That release features a disco version as well as a Euro version, and it helps the project break into the Japanese market. A megamix is released afterwards. Later singles include Sweet Lady Night, which is accompanied by a video, then Go On in 1998 and Deep In The Night the following year. Marta says in a Canadian interview that an album is planned after that period.

Joel Kipnis

JK is also the recording name of electric guitarist Joel Kipnis. In this project he works on Verve Forecast and presents an ensemble-focused style on What’s The Word. The album includes keyboardist Dinky Bingham and featured vocalist Robyn Springer, with other players such as Scott Kreitzer on saxophone and Jim Hynes on trumpet also taking important roles. The music mixes smooth jazz, R&B and funk, with the track In the Pocket singled out for its interplay between the musicians. The record also contains a number of full instrumentals, while many of the vocal tracks are mid-tempo ballads.

Other uses of the name

JK is also used by British blogger and producer Jacob Masters from Birmingham, who issues the What is Gabba For? mixtape as a best-of selection from the mp3 blog Gabba.cc. The name additionally refers to a hip-hop producer from Enschede in the Netherlands, Zambian artist Jordan Katembula, and Argentinian techno artist Jonas Kopp.

Related pop and K-pop use

Another JK is Jeon Jeongguk, also known as Jungkook or Golden Maknae. He is the youngest member of BTS, where he serves as main vocalist, lead dancer and sub rapper.