MARINA PACOWSKI, New Jazz Standards Volume 7

When I had the privilege of immersing in Inner Urge, the stellar 2023 debut album by French born song stylist Marina Pacowski, the big story was the impact she had made on the L.A. Jazz Scene over the previous six years leading her to work her sultry vocal and scat magic with some of the city’s legendary jazz cats.

A handful of them – bassist John Clayton, pianist Josh Nelson, drummer Roy McCurdy and guitarist Larry Koonse – are back on hand for her sexy, sassy and playfully swinging follow-up New Jazz Standards Volume 7: The Music of Carl Saunders, but, as the subtitle implies, the focus has shifted to celebrating the formidable legacy of her friend, the late great trumpet master and composer.

In addition to recording numerous solo albums, Carl performed with legends like Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Bill Holman, Clare Fischer, Frank Sintatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Paul Anka. As explained eloquently in participating trombonist Scott Whitfield’s insightful liner notes, Marina and Carl had a unique collaborative relationship, and when he was searching for the perfect artist to feature for the vocal volume of his “New Jazz Standards” series, she was the obvious choice on both musical and personal levels.

Carl’s passing in February 2025 brings a slightly poignant feeling to the project – imagining perhaps, how the trumpeter might have enjoyed Marina’s charming, lyrical take on his whimsical “High on Blueberry Pie” or her wildly imaginative multi-octave scat adventure on “Theme for Jobim,” for instance. And there’s a darkly seductive charm to “Feels Like Home,” an intimate duet with Clayton with lyrics by Alan Bergman.

Yet overall, from her vocal exuberance to the sparkling, perfectly nuanced arrangements (mostly by either Marina and Whitfield), there’s a sense of joyful tribute and celebration of Carl’s deeper artistry. Other highlights include “Sweet Talk,” a sweetly optimistic romantic ballad Carl wrote as a take on Bobby Troup’s “Girl Talk” performed here as a dreamy duet with John Proulx and featuring Ken Peplowski’s dashing clarinet solo; and the intimate ballad “Always in My Heart,” dedicated to those who are grieving. Marina closes with a lively Chopin solo piece (“Minute Waltz”) to honor the memory of how much Carl loved to hear her play the composer’s music at his home.