While everyone agrees that Marlena Shaw is a national treasure, it’s difficult to categorize her. Both Downbeat and Record World have named her “Best Female Singer,” and many have compared her range, class and swing that of to eternal jazz
lights like Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, and Nancy Wilson. But she’s also been called a “soul legend,” both before and after her successful detour into disco. Marlena’s a lyricist and composer as well -- for example, her ballad “You” was recorded by both Stanley Turrentine and Benny Golson.
Given her 40-year boundary-busting career, such labeling confusion is inevitable. It’s easier and more descriptive to think of Marlena as a natural element: like water, which we recognize in a gleaming dewdrop or clear mountain stream, Marlena’s music is unmistakable. Whether she’s singing jazz, R&B, pop, rock, soul, disco, blues or gospel, her originality makes such distinctions irrelevant, and each song becomes intimate and new. Marlena is a soulful survivor who’s been there, and more than once. But her music is never heavy -- where others might communicate pain or despair, she offers wisdom and hope, laced with humor.
Born in Valhalla, New York and raised on gospel and jazz, Marlena’s first public performance was at the age of 10, at the legendary Apollo Theater. Her activities since then have been as diverse as her legions of fans. Marlena has fronted big bands and orchestras, among them Basie’s (both original and new). Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Band, the Cologne Big Band, the Smithsonian and Seattle Repertory Orchestras, and the US Army Blues Band. She’s performed and recorded with Ray Brown, Benny Carter, and Joe Williams, toured with Sammy Davis Jr. for four years, and graced every major jazz festival in the world, as well as top venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. It’s not unusual for Marlena to be on the road over 200 days a year.
The first woman vocalist ever signed to Blue Note Records, where she made five albums and several singles, Marlena’s recording career actually began in 1966 with Cadet Records (a subsidiary of the ground-breaking Chess Records). Along with hit singles like “Wade in the Water,” “California Soul,” and “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy” (which she co-wrote, and which first brought her to Count Basie’s attention), she made two well-received albums. At Columbia Records there were four more, including the disco smash, “Take a Bite!,” and Verve and Concord followed.
In 2000, her tremendous overseas popularity led to “Anthology,” a splendid collection from London’s Soul Brother Records, and two hits for Sony Japan: “Live in Tokyo” (2002) and “Lookin’ for Love” (2003, both released in the US by 441 Records). The critics use words like “astonishing,” “peerless,” “radiant” and “powerful,” and marvel at her “soaring sensuality.” Marlena’s appeal is so timeless that her songs have even been sampled by the download generation.
Marlena is universally admired for her warm, supple voice and relaxed charm; a natural storyteller, her spoken words before, during, and between songs is often hilarious. In fact, the set-up to her signature tune, “Go Away, Little Boy” has become a famous monologue in itself, entitled “Yu-Ma.” Marlena’s smiling, spontaneous interplay with both her band and her audience invites the listener in like a valued friend.
But despite her long experience, there’s no slickness or pretense in Marlena’s style. Communicating directly from her heart and soul to yours, her undiminished creative vitality has no artificial ingredients. Like water -- or a welcome breath of fresh air – Marlena is an all-natural element.
