She is known for owning Deanna's, a jazz club in downtown Manhattan, and for her songwriting contributions to film and television soundtracks.
Kirk is recognized as a jazz cabaret singer and songwriter, described as "really an art-rock diva" in the tradition of Tori Amos and Sarah McLaughlan, sometimes performing under the alter ego "Marianna".
Kirk's debut album with Blackbird, Mariana Trench (1996), featured original songs alongside covers of works by Leonard Cohen and Sandy Denny.
[4][5] Kirk gained significant media attention, being featured on the front page of Billboard as the flagship artist of Blackbird Recording Company.
[9] The club's history and the fire that destroyed the East Village location is recounted in Ballad of the Small Cafe, on Kirk's album, Where Are You Now.