Jazz Articles about Marilyn Harris

Marilyn Harris: The Future Has Arrived

by Craig M. Cortello
June 14, 2007

The title track to pianist/vocalist Marilyn Harris' Future Street (Wrightwood, 2004) details that magical avenue where all things are possible, where potential is realized, and where dreams can come true. Listening to her follow-up Round Trip (Wrightwood, 2006), a compilation of twelve songs featuring powerhouse arrangements and ten original compositions, it's clear that the future has arrived.

It is said that the reason that Vince Lombardi was such an outstanding football coach is that many of his colleagues were promoted ...

Marilyn Harris: Round Trip

by Jim Santella
November 19, 2006

With her heart stuck on jazz for keeps, Marilyn Harris sings this program of originals, plus two chestnuts, with the authenticity of a life-long veteran. She knows. Big band arrangements by Mark Wolfram give the session such a flair that its memory lingers on long after the disc has completed its spin. Wolfram fashions the big band's brass, woodwind and rhythm sections together with transparent filaments, while Harris contributes thrilling lyrics. She's a clever songwriter who feels as comfortable with ...

Marilyn Harris with the LA Jazz All-Stars Big Band: Round Trip

by Michael P. Gladstone
August 13, 2006

Marilyn Harris is that rare musical commodity who can write funny and clever songs in the tradition of Dave Frishberg, Bob Dorough (who appears on this album) and Mose Allison, among others. She also writes “serious" songs that tell a story (eg. “That Afternoon in Harlem," which specifically relates to a jazz environment, or “Letting Go," which does not). Round Trip is the third release from the West Coast jazz singer/songwriter; her 2004 album Future Street was one of the ...

Marilyn Harris: Round Trip

by Jack Bowers
June 16, 2006

Round Trip would be a great record with the LA Jazz All-Stars Big Band alone. As a bonus, we get a terrific singer/songwriter, Marilyn Harris, who wrote or co-wrote ten of the album's dozen selections and uses her pleasing midrange voice and effervescent personality to amply and enliven every one of them.

From what I can hear (and that's less than I would prefer), Harris writes clever lyrics that call to mind Dave Frishberg, Mose Allison, Jon Hendricks, Dave Lambert, ...

Marilyn Harris: Future Street

by Michael P. Gladstone
April 24, 2004

Future Street is an outstanding new vocal package from West Coast jazz singer/songwriter Marilyn Harris. First, a brief word about the music. The most adventurous jazz singers will take a jazz standard from the past (e.g. a Wayne Shorter Blue Note classic, a Coleman Hawkins composition from the 1940s, etc.) and set original lyrics to the tune and perhaps instrumental solo. Here, with the exception of Kurt Weill's “Lost in the Stars," Marilyn Harris is working without a net on ...