Kerry Marsh

Review: Jazz Singers/C-Sus (Cal State University, Sacramento) is a 13 member, mixed voice jazz ensemble who show us with "In the Winelight" that they are among the elite collegiate jazz ensembles in the world. The scattish "Sing a Song of Song," the bright, clean harmonies of "Beautiful Love," the moody "Midnight Voyage," the Swing Era classic "That Old Black Magic," the soaring title tune, the bluenote "Yesterdays," the funky "Walk With Me Lord" a jazzy arrangement of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes" and a surreal "Love is more thicker than forget"-these songs are all accompanied by a very good jazz group, and all are poised and excellent!

Songlist: Sing A Song of Song, Beautiful Love, Song For The Traveler, A Midnight Voyage, Talking To Myself, That Old Black Magic, In The Winelight, Yesterdays, Walk With Me, Lord, In Your Eyes, Love Is More Thicker Than Forget

Review: Four different parts of Sacramento (CA) State's dynamic Jazz Studies program, all under the direction of Kerry Marsh, are represented on "It's You," C-Sus, Jazz Singers, Take 6 Repertory Ensemble and a 12-person Rhythm Section, which accompanies most of the 10 tunes. The student personnel of C-Sus changes as the recordings were made in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Favorites here include three written by Kerry Marsh (who also does all the arrangements), the electric "Lee's Summit," moody "Strange New World," and bluenote "So In Love;" the title tune by Kitty Margolis, and two a cappella songs, "Scarborough Fair" and upbeat "I've Got Life." We find ourselves continually impressed by the professionalism, poise and talent of the Sacramento State singers. And we have to credit Director Marsh for the great arrangements and striking original material to be found on these recordings-this is especially true for "It's You!"

Songlist: Lee's Summit, Scarborough Fair, I've Got Life, Strange New World, Never So In Love, It's You, Seven Steps to Heaven, I Want You Back, Please Come Back (To Stay), Travels (Travels On By)

Review: Sacramento State's renowned, vibrant Collegiate Jazz program is directed by Kerry Marsh, whose presence is large on "Pale Blue Dot," Marsh's four-part suite for Jazz ensemble, and a tribute to Carl Sagan, astronomer, author and advocate of science and reason. The album features several different configurations of student Jazz vocalists from 2007 to 2008, accompanied by a large Jazz Rhythm Section on all cuts. The first seven tunes, all arranged by Marsh, are covers of standards like Duke Ellington's "In a Mellotone," Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower," Irving Caesar's "Tea for Two," and incongruously but beautifully, a soaring, bluenote arrangement of "Silent Night." The final cuts, the four parts of "Pale Blue Dot," are very strong, particularly Part III, "When the Night is New"- spacy, delicate, moody and powerful.

Songlist: Little Sunflower, Esperanto, In a Mellotone, Tea For Two, Silent Night, Widow's Walk, But Beautiful, Pale Blue Dot (suite)- Part 1: You Are Here, Pale Blue Dot (suite)- Part 2; Sacred Black, Pale Blue Dot (suite)- Part 3; When the Night is New, Pale Blue Dot (suite)- Part 4; Wanderers