Marina Pacowski, Contributing Musician
Marina Pacowski was born in Biarritz, France. A child of artists, she grew up in a musical family listening to classical and jazz music. Marina is a classically trained concert pianist, soloist, chamber musician, and expert sight reader and has cultivated a renowned reputation as a versatile, multi-award-winning musician. She is a dedicated classical concert pianist, jazz vocalist, music educator, recording artist, renowned double bass accompanist, and actress. In recognition of her stellar worldwide career, Marina was granted an Artist Visa in the United States, allowing her to pursue her love of American music.
A fervent music educator, Marina has led master classes and taught for over 15 years at the Conservatory of Music Maurice Ravel in France. She nurtures a passion for opera and, in addition to coaching opera singers around the globe, won 2nd Place at the Hanz Gabor Belvedere International Competition in the “Musical Director for Singers” category. She has since served as guest coach in productions for great conductors, including Marc Tardue, Dejan Savic, Friedrich Pleyer, Stéphane Cardon and Guy Condette. Multiple composers have written works dedicated to and for the express performance of Ms. Pacowski, including Peio Cabalette, and Maestro Bernard Salles, and American composer Frank Proto who wrote a piano Concerto with Orchestra that was recorded under his direction with the musicians of the Cincinnati Orchestra ( Ohio).
As a jazz singer specializing in scat improvisation, Marina sings the American Songbook and native French Songs repertoires. She has performed in iconic venues of the LA jazz scene (“The Jazz Bakery”, “Catalina”, and “The Lighthouse”) and French jazz festivals, and has collaborated with world class musicians Rickey Woodard (Ray Charles’ former sax player); pianists Bevan Manson and Josh Nelson (Natalie Cole); drummers Steve Hass (John Scofield); jazz legend Roy McCurdy; guitarist Will Brahm; jazz bass legend Tony Dumas; and trumpet player Dr. Bobby Rodriguez.
Marina has toured and performed in many countries, specializing in the double bass repertory, and performing as accompanist at the “International Double Bass Festival” in Capbreton, France for over twenty years. Along with be-bop vocalist Sheila Jordan, she received the “Best Collaborative Music” award from the International Society of Bassists (ISB) in 2017.
A multifaceted artist, Marina has written plays blending poetry, text, acting and music, and founded her own music and theater non-profit, Companie 20 de la Luna. She performed French songs in duet with stand-up comedian Emo Philips for his show “Bastille Day” at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood; has collaborated on diverse projects with poets and at poet residencies, including the great American poet, Mandy Kahn, and Italy’s Lago di Como.
Marina loves building community. For 3 years, she created a warm nest for jazz and cabaret singers with her weekly open mic, “Croon in the Afternoon,” at Silverlake’s Lyric/Hyperion Theater. When the Covid-19 pandemic put this event on hold, Marina continued providing an online open mic called “Marina’s Los Angeles Music Room.” Throughout the pandemic, Marina has led the online “Spirit and Music Concert Series” for PRS, featuring concert music paired with lectures exploring different genres of music. She is currently preparing Season 2 for a live audience. In 2021, Marina will receive an award at the Jazz Excellence Awards Gala, on behalf of ABS COLLECTIVE for her “dedication in providing support and resources for many aspiring musicians and vocalists to help develop and refine their talents.” Further, Marina is going to be the subject of an upcoming documentary series regarding healing through music.
A fervent music educator, Marina has led master classes and taught for over 15 years at the Conservatory of Music Maurice Ravel in France. She nurtures a passion for opera and, in addition to coaching opera singers around the globe, won 2nd Place at the Hanz Gabor Belvedere International Competition in the “Musical Director for Singers” category. She has since served as guest coach in productions for great conductors, including Marc Tardue, Dejan Savic, Friedrich Pleyer, Stéphane Cardon and Guy Condette. Multiple composers have written works dedicated to and for the express performance of Ms. Pacowski, including Peio Cabalette, and Maestro Bernard Salles, and American composer Frank Proto who wrote a piano Concerto with Orchestra that was recorded under his direction with the musicians of the Cincinnati Orchestra ( Ohio).
As a jazz singer specializing in scat improvisation, Marina sings the American Songbook and native French Songs repertoires. She has performed in iconic venues of the LA jazz scene (“The Jazz Bakery”, “Catalina”, and “The Lighthouse”) and French jazz festivals, and has collaborated with world class musicians Rickey Woodard (Ray Charles’ former sax player); pianists Bevan Manson and Josh Nelson (Natalie Cole); drummers Steve Hass (John Scofield); jazz legend Roy McCurdy; guitarist Will Brahm; jazz bass legend Tony Dumas; and trumpet player Dr. Bobby Rodriguez.
Marina has toured and performed in many countries, specializing in the double bass repertory, and performing as accompanist at the “International Double Bass Festival” in Capbreton, France for over twenty years. Along with be-bop vocalist Sheila Jordan, she received the “Best Collaborative Music” award from the International Society of Bassists (ISB) in 2017.
A multifaceted artist, Marina has written plays blending poetry, text, acting and music, and founded her own music and theater non-profit, Companie 20 de la Luna. She performed French songs in duet with stand-up comedian Emo Philips for his show “Bastille Day” at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood; has collaborated on diverse projects with poets and at poet residencies, including the great American poet, Mandy Kahn, and Italy’s Lago di Como.
Marina loves building community. For 3 years, she created a warm nest for jazz and cabaret singers with her weekly open mic, “Croon in the Afternoon,” at Silverlake’s Lyric/Hyperion Theater. When the Covid-19 pandemic put this event on hold, Marina continued providing an online open mic called “Marina’s Los Angeles Music Room.” Throughout the pandemic, Marina has led the online “Spirit and Music Concert Series” for PRS, featuring concert music paired with lectures exploring different genres of music. She is currently preparing Season 2 for a live audience. In 2021, Marina will receive an award at the Jazz Excellence Awards Gala, on behalf of ABS COLLECTIVE for her “dedication in providing support and resources for many aspiring musicians and vocalists to help develop and refine their talents.” Further, Marina is going to be the subject of an upcoming documentary series regarding healing through music.
Projects
Spirit and Music Series
PRS presents a special series that explores the relationship between spirit and music by focusing on the life and context of the composers, literature that relates to the performers themselves, aspects of the instruments, and reflection on style hosted by singer and pianist Marina Pacowski.
EVENT CALENDER
PRS presents a special series that explores the relationship between spirit and music by focusing on the life and context of the composers, literature that relates to the performers themselves, aspects of the instruments, and reflection on style hosted by singer and pianist Marina Pacowski.
EVENT CALENDER
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