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Taking a breath of gratitude

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Mindfulness

It’s a uncharacteristically warm, windy day here in Oakland. I just sat down and took a breath, thinking “What next?” It’s a familiar place of limbo – in between-ness – that I’m in, but I haven’t been here for awhile. Two years spent on my recent recording “To Brasil and Bacharach” and the past 6 months working to get the word out and preparing for two CD release concerts kept me constantly absorbed.

The next steps are probably the hardest. How to get myself even more out there…

But right now I am trying to set aside my anxiety-filled procrastination and feeling of not knowing where to start (followed by spinning mind), to close my eyes and say “thank you.” I’m grateful for having completed this wonderful project filled with beautiful music, for those who played a part in that music, for those who helped me along the way, for those who supported me and attended my CD release concerts (both SRO!) and for this day, this moment, this breath.

Cartoon by Henck van Bilsen from his book “Zee Beatty and the Socks of Doom.”

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This one will be part of the Jazz at the Chimes concert series in Oakland – Sunday, March 20, 2pm. Held in the gorgeous Julia Morgan Chapel of the Chimes.

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Joining me on the bandstand will be pianist/composer Marcos Silva, bassist Scott Thompson, drummers Phil Thompson & Greg German and saxophonist Zack Pitt Smith. We’ll play all the tunes off To Brasil and Bacharach and CDs will be available for purchase.

Here’s where to buy your tickets in advance and secure your spot: Buy Now!

CD Release Concert - Feb 19!

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Just 10 days away from my CD Release concert at the California Jazz Conservatory, and I’m hoping you can join us! Easily accessible by BART and in the heart of the thriving Downtown Berkeley Arts District with lots of restaurants nearby. MaryD'Orazi_LV0971-Edit

Joining me on the bandstand will be pianist/composer Marcos Silva, bassist Scott Thompson, drummers Phil Thompson & Greg German and saxophonist Zack Pitt Smith. We’ll play all the tunes off To Brasil and Bacharach and CDs will be available for purchase.

Here’s where to buy your tickets in advance and secure your spot: Buy Now!

Official CD Release Today!

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GOOD NEWS!!! Now you can purchase my new CD online!
See below for details…

To Brasil and Bacharach

What a marvelous CD! Kudos to all the musicians and particularly to producer Marcos Silva. Mary’s voice is consistently beautiful and soulful throughout. Her renditions of the Bacharach classics are now my favorite versions!  Parabens! – John Santos, master percussionist, composer & five-time Grammy nominee

(Read More)

They're Here!

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Blog #4 photo

December 14 – It was a long day of waiting for my new CDs to arrive. UPS had given a window of 7am-7pm. I wouldn’t leave the house for fear they’d be left on the doorstep and someone would steal them thinking they were gifts ordered Christmas. But, what would this someone do with 500 “To Brasil and Bacharach” CDs?(Read More)

In the Studio

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Vieste on standI always looked forward to going into Fantasy Studios. As I said in an earlier post, it was a dream come true. (That’s why they call it “Fantasy” because the whole time I was there I was a bit in disbelief!) The whole process of recording was fascinating and exciting, even when it was tedious. It was work and I was new at the job. Overdubbing vocals was a whole different animal from singing live with a band. I felt naked under a spotlight, under a microscope. Adrenalin would course through my body. It wasn’t pretty. Eventually, I learned to relax…somewhat.(Read More)

Visualize Recording

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Visualize Recording

My new CD – To Brasil and Bacharach – which will be officially released Feb.2, 2016, started out as a concept I had for a concert, which didn’t materialize. So, I decided to take it to the next level and immortalize it! It’s been a challenging and fun journey that started with deciding which songs to cover,(Read More)