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| Vocalist Marina Pacowski's "Jazz Standards, Vol. 7: The Music of Carl Saunders," A Tribute to the Late Trumpet Virtuoso Since MARINA PACOWSKI arrived in Los Angeles in 2017 from her native France, she has earned the reputation as a premier vocal technician who is not afraid to tackle the most demanding arrangements. That is not surprising considering she also works as a classical pianist and grew up scatting along with her parents' Ella Fitzgerald records. For her newest recording, NEW JAZZ STANDARDS VOL 7: THE MUSIC OF CARL SAUNDERS, Pacowski presents the music of her friend, the late, great trumpet master and composer. THE MUSIC OF CARL SAUNDERS is Pacowski's second album and follows her 2023 release, Inner Urge. JW Vibe said about that album, "A vibrant showcase for her otherworldly scatting and intricate talent for creating vocal countermelodies." As a pianist, Pacowski has toured internationally, performing extensively in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as in the United States. A lover of chamber music, she received the "Best Collaborative Music Award" by the International Society of Bassists, which caught attention of bassist and composer Frank Proto, the Composer-in-Residence for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Proto wrote a piano concerto for Pacowski and flew her out to record an album and DVD at Greaves Hall in Cincinnati. Pacowski is also an educator who was a faculty member at the Conservatory of Music "Maurice Ravel" for many years prior to her arrival in the US. She now maintains her own private studio in Los Angeles, teaching piano and vocal jazz improv classes. She is regularly invited to teach clinics and master classes in festivals and music camps in France and abroad. Joining Pacowski on THE MUSIC OF CARL SAUNDERS are some of the hippest, most accomplished musicians in Southern California, including ROY McCURDY (drums), JOHN CLAYTON (bass), JOSH NELSON (piano), RICKEY WOODARD (saxes), RON STOUT (trumpet), LARRY KOONSE (guitar), KEN WILD (bass), SCOTT WHITFIELD (trombone), with special guests JOHN PROULX (vocal) and KEN PEPLOWSKI (clarinet). Although Carl Saunders is not a household name, he was well known among jazz musicians as a world class trumpet player and composer. Over his long career, he performed with such luminaries as Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Bill Holman, Clare Fischer, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, and Paul Anka. Among Saunders' closest friends was trombonist Whitfield, who co-produced THE MUSIC OF CARL SAUNDERS, along with Pacowski and Ken Poston, who is the music director for San Diego's jazz station, KSDS. Pacowski was first introduced to Saunders when Whitfield brought her to his home for a private jam session. Pacowski relates, "Carl was known for his demanding standards, and I was thrilled that I was welcomed into a very special inner circle of fellow artists and friends." Saunders' compositions are accessible to listeners, but also melodically and harmonically challenging. He produced a series of New Jazz Standards albums that featured top soloists. Volumes 1-6 were produced by Saunders, and after years of searching for the right vocalist to record Volume 7, he finally chose Pacowski. Sadly, the album was recorded after Saunders' death in 2023 at age 80. Pacowski chose "August in New York" to open the album because she likes its joyful, swinging vibe and the great lyrics by Pat Tuzzolino. "High on Blueberry Pie" is a fun tribute to one of Saunders' favorite desserts. The song has special meaning to Pacowski because Saunders sang it for her while she accompanied him on piano. The tune brings back memories of all the laughter they shared. Pacowski easily navigates the tricky chord changes on "Theme for Jobim." Whitfield says, "Marina is once again right in the groove on this one, and her ethereally lyrical scat solo is worthy of transcription." Saunders said he was going for a Johnny Mandel vibe on "Feels Like Home, " with lyrics penned by Alan Bergman that features a duet with bassist John Clayton. Pacowski chose "Looking at You" because of its harmonic challenges and beautiful melodic contour that she says is "like surfing on a beautiful wave." Ron Stout, Saunders' favorite LA trumpet player, is featured. Pacowski swings hard on the blues on "Is That Asking Too Much." "I Need a Dream" was written by Saunders' uncle, the band leader and multi-instrumentalist Bobby Sherwood. Pacowski says, "Carl was proud that he came from a musical family, and he always played this one when we hung out with him at his house, so it brings us great joy to record this song." Pacowski captures the poignancy of lost love on the ballad "Alone, " which she performs as a duet with Nelson on piano. The title of "You're So Cute" comes from a comment by one of Saunders' longtime partners, "You get away with a lot 'cause you're so cute!" Pacowski had a "Basie" concept for this number, with an economy of notes, leaving space for swing. "Sweet Talk, " which Saunders wrote as a take on Bobby Troup's "Girl Talk, " features a vocal duet with John Proulx and a guest appearance by Ken Peplowski on clarinet. Pacowski chose "Can You Dig Being Dug" because its clever lyrics remind her of Saunders' hip turns of phrase. Pacowski immediately fell in love with the poignant ballad "Always in My Heart" and dedicates it to those who are grieving. On the closing track, "The Minute Waltz, " Pacowski plays solo piano to honor the memory of how much Saunders loved to hear her play Chopin at his home. Marina Pacowski is not only a top vocal improviser; she is also a skilled instrumentalist who imbues her vocals with a musicality one would expect from a horn player. Even so, she can plumb a song's deep emotional well and tell its story. NEW JAZZ STANDARDS VOL 7: THE MUSIC OF CARL SAUNDERS is a virtuosic and heartfelt introduction to the music of trumpet master and composer Carl Saunders. # # # NEW JAZZ STANDARDS VOL 7: THE MUSIC OF CARL SAUNDERS was released on May 9, 2025 on Summit Records and is available on all streaming platforms. Physical copies are available on Amazon and www.summitrecords.com write your comments about the article :: © 2025 Jazz News :: home page |