A Conversation with Marion Powers, Vocalist
Written by Allison Young
Recently, we sat down with the marvelous Marion Powers to ask her about all things CJRO, music, and more! Scroll down for a glimpse into the life of the CJRO’s vocalist and learn more about Marion.
What’s your favorite chart to sing with the band?
I think Day in Day Out, arranged by Drew Zaremba. It’s been fun to take on what I love about my favorite recordings of the standard and also make it my own. The arrangement is different enough to have some freedom for myself without doing it exactly like Sarah Vaughn’s version (which I love). My favorite chart without lyrics is Choros #3 by Vince Mendoza. It’s really challenging but I memorized it because I loved it so much, and singing non-lyric charts is just as fun to me.
What’s your favorite concert you’ve done with the band?
The CJRO Septet at Vail Jazz gig that we did last summer was the most fun I’ve had on a small group set in a long time. It was the end of the summer so we were really in a groove as a band. We’d done the charts multiple times by then and were really living in them together. The band sounded amazing and super locked in, and I got to be myself more because I was more comfortable with the charts and the band. Close second is the KUVO performance from last fall with the big band, also.
If you could switch places with one member of the band, who would it be?
Ooooh, this is super hard. One of the lead line players (lead trumpet/alto) since I’m usually with them on non-lyric charts and they’re melodic leaders. Or maybe the rhythm section, it would be really cool to play such a foundational role in the band. Definitely not the drummer though, that’s a challenge and pressure I do not want to handle!
If you could do any concert theme with the band, what would it be?
I think an American Folk concert, which we’re actually doing next year in this upcoming season! Paying tribute to iconic artists like Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and James Taylor. Part of the inspiration is from the show I did with local saxophonist/vocalist Briana Harris (who has actually played with the CJRO!) this February at Nocturne as a part of her Carole King residency. It was really neat to see how she arranged all of that music to fit a jazz setting. I think this is a fun thing to celebrate and a way to celebrate American music outside the realm of jazz. Joni Mitchell’s ‘Blue’ is my favorite album maybe ever, and Carole King is so awesome and influential so celebrating those two will be great.
Who are some of your favorite vocalists?
Sarah Vaughn, definitely. As I've found myself and my voice as a jazz musician, I've resonated with her a lot - her technique is really healthy. Also Joni Mitchell for her technique and general sound. I really enjoy anyone who’s very expressive with their tone. Joni’s tone and expressivity are so subtle - it’s cool to study how much she can do with a little bit of dynamic space. I also have to mention Billie Holliday - she was my first inspiration / “gateway drug” into jazz.
What music are you listening to right now?
Sarah Vaughn - I’m always listening to her. “Sarah +2” is always in the rotation, it’s just so swinging. Also Gretchen Parlato’s “Lean In,” and some Phoebe Bridgers and Celeste.
You do some arranging for the CJRO - can you talk about that?
I work with Artistic Director (and my close friend) Drew Zaremba to do some arranging for the CJRO Sextet. I really loved bringing in my arrangement of the standard For All We Know, and I had an original song on our recent Brazilian concert. Usually I bring in an arrangement that I’ve already done, and Drew works some of his magic and helps make it a perfect fit for this specific ensemble. He has little things he does to elevate the chart while keeping the true essence of what I wrote, which is great.
What’s your favorite part about the CJRO?
I feel very supported and embraced by the band as a singer. That’s not always the case with big bands, and I feel truly like a band member and not just a singer as a separate entity. A lot of the members work hard to make that possible, and I really feel like a member of the group.
What did you enjoy the most about the recent concert with Tatiana Mayfield?
Tatiana is so awesome - I loved just hearing her sing these charts and getting to share a stage with her. I’ve known her for a long time and we sort of knew each other when we lived in Dallas but never totally connected, so it was exciting to finally connect and perform together. Getting to share a stage with her is an honor, she’s someone I’ve looked up to in the industry for a long time. Also getting to sing with my close friends, Bailey Hinkley Grogan and Hannah Rodriguez who will be sang background vocals with me!
Anything you want to plug/things you’re looking forward to this summer?
Drew (Zaremba) and I are performing in Vail for the Vail Jazz Festival every Thursday starting July 21st which will be so much fun. My sister’s also getting married this summer, and I’m also doing a lot of in-state traveling to explore Colorado more, which I haven’t gotten the chance to do yet. I’m also looking forward to some down time to do more writing and arranging, which I don’t often get during the busy UNC school year.