French singer, pianist and arranger Marina Pacowski, who was born in Biarritz, always dreamed of going to the USA because of her fascination for the American music scene and her predilection for jazz.
After all, father played clarinet and sax, and her brother guitar. Both were part of a New Orleans jazz band. Mother, on the other hand, focused more on American musicals and jazz standards. In 2017 it was time. Marina settled in LA and became part of the local jazz scene there.
Now her debut album has arrived here. Marina chose to limit herself to singing. She opens with the title track, on which she actually starts scatting. This is how she shows her vocal improvisation talent. She then opted for a cover of Clare Fisher's Latin jazz song ‘Pensativa’ for the sounds of the ocean.
Marian wrote her own French lyrics to Miles Davis' ‘Solar’, and continues with a cover of the well-known ‘My Foolish Heart’", here in duet with pianist Jon Mayer. Charlie Parker's 'Donna Lee' is the next track, on which she will scatter again. ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ refers again to Miles Davis, and ‘I'm Old Fashioned’ represents her preference for moonlight, the sound of rain and being in love. 'Moon and Sand' sounds dreamy, after which the classic 'East of the Sun' comes across as remarkably cheerful.
Edith Piaf's trademark ‘La Vie En Rose’ represents her homeland, then ‘Up Jumped Spring’ contains many instrumental solos, and the classic ‘Taking a Chance on Love’ stands here for its hopeful lyrics. On the closing track 'What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?' she is only assisted by pianist Josh Nelson, and Marina also sings the lyrics in French.
A beautiful debut, a new voice in the jazz firmament, which lets her talent shine.
Tracks:
1. Inner Urge
2. Pensativa
3. Solar
4. My Foolish Heart
5. Donna Lee
6. On Green Dolphin Street
7. I'm Old Fashioned
8. Moon and Sand
9. East of the Sun
10. La Vie En Rose
11. Up Jumped Spring
12. Taking a Chance on Love
13. What Are You Doing The Rest of Your Life?
Marina Pacowski
Credits:
Marina Pacowski - vocals
Scott Whitfield - trombone (7, 9)
Josh Nelson (1, 2, 3, 6, 13), Mark Massey (5, 10), Bevan Manson (7, 12) - piano
John Clayton (1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 11, 13), Mike Gurrola (5, 7, 12) - bass
Roy McCurdy (1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 12), Peter Erskine (8, 11) - drums
Larry Koonse (8, 11) - guitar
Special Guests:
Joel Frahm - tenor saxophone (1)
Brent Fischer - vibraphone (2)
Jon Mayer - piano (4)
Nolan Shaheed (10) - flugelhorn
Carl Saunders (11) - trumpet