Album Review: New Jazz Standards Vol 7: The Music of Carl Saunders from Marina Pacowski

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Album:  New Jazz Standards Vol 7:  The Music of Carl Saunders 
Artist:  Marina Pacowski
Label:  Summit Records
Release Date:  May 9, 2025
Website:  https://marinapacowski.com

French vocalist-pianist Marina Pacowski pays tribute to her friend, composer and trumpet player Carl Saunders on her 2025 recording New Jazz Standards Vol. 7:  The Music of Carl Saunders.  Performing Saunder's material with Pacowski on vocals are:  Roy McCurdy on drums, John Clayton on bass,  Josh Nelson on piano, Rickey Woodard on saxophones, Ron Stout on trumpet, Larry Koonse on guitar, Ken Wild on bass, Scott Whitfield on trombone, and special guests: John Proulx on vocals and Ken Peplowski on clarinet.  

A classic jazz crooner and scat improviser, Pacowski keeps the melodies focused and palliative, projecting a consolatory voicing, particularly prevalent in "Feels Like Home" as her vocals rise and fall congruent with the palpitating beats of Clayton's bass, stirring the listener's empathy.  Her rapport with her band mates is sharp and sublime, strutting a bopping trot complimented by a lyrical scat through "Is That Asking Too Much" with clarion precision.  The coquettish, Betty Boop-like lilt of her voice produces tingly sensations across "Looking At You," and splashes "I Need A Dream" with swinging shimmies.  

Pacowski's duet with vocalist John Proulx on "Sweet Talk" stirs a romantic awareness in the listener, pouncing into an athletic scatting across "Do Be Do Be Do," and transitioning into a pensive aria through "Alone" lit in a chandelier ambience contoured by Nelson's stroking keys.   The perky and bubbly qualities in Pacowski's vocals are maximized on "High on Blueberry Pie," and channeled into her upbeat rendering of Chopin's "The Minute Waltz," which sees Pacowski playing a piano solo that honors her memory of performing the composition for Saunders in the past.  

The recording showcases Pacowski's sharp navigation of various vocal changes as well as Saunder's aptitude for composing jazz standards.  Her reverence for the repertoire is salient, performed with heart and soul.  She stirs audiences deeply and enduring, making her perky and soothing imprint permanent on listeners.

Musicians:
Marina Pacowski - vocals and piano solo
Roy McCurdy - drums
John Clayton - bass 
Josh Nelson - piano
Rickey Woodard - saxophones
Ron Stout - trumpet
Larry Koonse - guitar 
Ken Wild - bass
Scott Whitfield - trombone 

Special Guests: 
John Proulx - vocals on "Sweet Talk"
Ken Peplowski - clarinet
  
Social Media Links: 
Facebook.com/marina.pacowski
@FrenchieMarina (IG)

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