Artist Information

"Ms del Rosario draws you in with an uncanny grasp of the jazz, blues and soul idioms...Like Bill Evans and Miles Davis, the silences between the notes are always as emotionally telling as the words themselves."

- John Stevens (E-Jazz news)

Biography
Marlene del Rosario is a female Filipino jazz vocalist and pianist who won over audiences in her native country and has been building a successful music career in the United States. On her second album, Live! With a Little Help From Her Friends, jazz standards mixed with 3 original compositions reveal what an especially talented vocal and piano performer can achieve in a live performance. Marlene says, “I decided to go live instead of a studio recording because the dynamics of a live performance are so much more interesting. When you know that there’s an audience listening, it just makes the biggest difference. Performing for me is about interaction---not only amongst the musicians, but with the audience as well.” Del Rosario knows her audience. Performing in solo to larger ensemble settings, she engages audiences with a stylish and lively repertoire that mixes jazz, Latin, originals and re-arrangements of her favorite pop tunes.

A native of Manila, Philippines, Marlene enjoyed a dual life as a telecommunications executive while moonlighting as a jazz musician. She is now able to focus solely on her music career and performs hundreds of shows each year. Her Boston-based jazz ensemble includes renowned trumpeter, Greg Hopkins, who was a member of The Buddy Rich Orchestra and who has played with such legends as Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, and Tony Bennett. Marlene’s bands are regulars in the Boston jazz circuit, playing the 2005 and 2006 Boston Arts Festivals, Jazz in July concert series, and at a UN-benefit to remove landmines in Mozambique. On her own, Marlene has performed internationally, and has played the Philippine International Jazz Festival, opened for Omar Sosa (a world-renowned Cuban pianist), and entertained Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand as well as Filipino Presidents, Fidel Ramos and Cory Aquino. Marlene was featured by Cosmopolitan Magazine (Phils.) and was a cover story for Life and Times (Phils.) for her musical achievements.

Marlene also gives back to the musical community that has nurtured her. She teaches piano twice a week at ZUMIX, a non-profit organization that empowers youth through music programs. Marlene was connected to ZUMIX through a mentoring program at the Berklee College of Music, where she also studied under Cheryl Bentyn of Manhattan Transfer, and Livingston Taylor.

Instrumentation
Marlene del Rosario- vocals, piano
Various personnel for drums, acoustic bass, guitar or horn

Website
www.marlenemusic.net

Discography
Marlene LIVE, With a Little Help From Her Friends (2008)- Blue Earth Corp.
Crying Days (2003)- Blue Earth Corp.