MARIA CORSARO

LOVE MAKES THE CHANGES

Lola Records

Maria Corsaro, voice; Gregory Toroian, piano; Skip Ward, bass; David Silliman, drums; Mark Feinberg, saxophone/flute.

Maria Corsaro has a voice that bridges jazz and cabaret. She was raised in a world of classical music.  For years, she made her musical career in theaters, films and amidst the cabaret circuit.

“I remember the first time I heard a jazz tune, it was “My One and Only Love” performed by Johnny hartmand and John Coltrane.  I listened to that recording over and over again.  I became hooked on jazz.  I love the rhythms, the unique chord progressions, the improvisations, the scat singing, using nonsense syllables instead of words and vocalese,” she recalls in her liner notes.

She opens with “If You Never Fall in Love with Me” swinging the tune and complimented by saxophonist, Mark Feinberg. Drummer David Silliman sings the tune down on his trap drums, dancing his sticks across the skins with accuracy and joy.

Her medley that combines “Secret Love” with “Never Said (Chan’s Song)” is unique and flaunts her ease with vocal range and combining a cabaret presentation with the freedom jazz offers. The arrangement moves from a warm ballad to a slow swing on “Never Said” and it changes seamlessly thanks to pianist, arranger and Musical Director, Gregory Toroian.

“Never Said is music by Herbie Hancock and lyrics by Stevie Wonder.  It was suggested to me by my musical director, Gregory Toroian. Putting it together with Lecret Love was the idea of my producer, David Friedman,” Maria explained how that medley was created.

The sexy, sultry saxophone introduction by Mark Feinberg to the popular jazz song, “No More Blues” snatches my attention. After her rubato beginning, the band kicks into a Latin flavored arrangement. Toroian’s piano solo ebbs and swells.

Her rendition of “You Taught My Heart to Sing” is lovely and features her with her talented trio, with the spotlight on Toroian at the grand piano. She sells each song like any great storyteller. You feel like you’re eave dropping on the breakup of a close friend when she sings “Portrait in Black and White.”  But it’s her rendition of “Stolen Moments” that pulls the jazz singer out of Maria Corsaro, like a flower separated from her Cabaret roots.  Skip Ward offers a brief but moving bass solo.

Here is a woman who has chosen an emotional and heartfelt repertoire of beautiful music and poignant lyrics.  The arrangements are rich and creative.  This is a project both cabaret lovers and jazz aficionados can enjoy.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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