It never ceases to amaze me that a vast club like Catalina Jazz Club can feel warm and intimate on a cool winter evening in Hollywood. Our party arrived early for singer-pianist-educator Marina Pacowski’s live show on February 11th, and the club was already buzzing with dedicated jazz patrons, mingling over pre-show drinks and dinner. Sitting next to us, famed trombonist Dick Nash enjoyed a flow of fans stopping by to pay homage to him, the most recorded player in the history of the instrument (Henry Mancini’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Charade, etc…) By the time the lights dimmed for Pacowski’s 8:30 p.m. set, there was an anticipatory vibe for the French singer’s first show at the venue.
Seven all-star players took the stage to generous applause, including the beloved Scott Whitfield (trombone), Rickey Woodard (saxophone), Ron Stout (trumpet), Roy McCurdy (drums), Mike Gurrola (bass), Larry Koonse (guitar), and Josh Nelson (piano). Many of these artists also appeared on Pacowski’s albums Inner Urge and New Jazz Standards Vol. 7: The Music of Carl Saunders.
The band welcomed Pacowski to the stage, thereby completing the octet and diving into a breezy “August in NY.” It bears mentioning that Pacowski–an award-winning French vocalist who is now based in LA–is fresh off two major wins for Best Jazz Album and Best Jazz Artist at the 2026 World Entertainment Awards in Hollywood. It’s been an big month for Pacowski, and this Catalina show also marked her debut as a bandleader.
From the first moment, the singer radiated charm and joie de vivre, greeting the crowd with open arms and a beaming smile before launching into her first song; she continued that energy for the 13-song set. Her youthful energy on stage really belies the depth of her talent, impressive training, and touring history as a pianist and educator; you owe it to yourself to read her biography. From the start, it is clear that there is no polite nostalgia applied here—Pacowski is living and breathing Jazz.
Critics have long praised her rare blend of craft and spontaneity. Whether caressing “La Vie en Rose” in her native language or navigating a brisk bebop line, Pacowski kept listeners rapt, never settling for the obvious turn of phrase. Every passage carried intention.
There was a terrific rapport within the band, responsiveness to subtle cues throughout the show, with each having plenty of time to shine throughout the night. Already comfortable together by the second song, I noted the smooth transitions between Nelson, Whitfield and Pacowski’s vocals on one of her favorite feel-good pieces, “High on Blueberry Pie.”
On the sixth number, pianist Josh Nelson made a huge impression on the crowd with his solo on “Pensativa” a challenging but sensual 1962 bossa nova jazz piece by composer Clare Fischer. Next, Pacowski kept things moving right along, and by the time “Do be do be do” rolled around, the singer’s scat skills came out in full force, unfurling with dazzling clarity—precise yet playful—drawing audible murmurs of appreciation from the crowd as her band looked on with admiration.
Numerous solos emerged from this fantastic octet, too many to mention, but every artist contributed impressive performances under Pacowski’s generous direction. The show gave me a greater appreciation for the works of the late Carl Saunders, a mentor to Pacowski, whose music was highlighted throughout the set.
A particularly nice surprise of the evening was a guest duo with 9x GRAMMY-nominated songstress Tierney Sutton who joined Pacowski on stage for an intense take on “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life.” Unrushed and heartfelt, you could hear a pin drop between breaths.
By the end of the final song “Is That Asking Too Much?” the mood in the room was upbeat. Pacowski has a fresh and lovely style, with youthful exuberance and supple finesse. I have no doubt Pacowski’s impressiveness and following will grow in the coming years, and would encourage her to go even bigger in her stage style, expressiveness and contagious enthusiasm for the music she clearly loves.
There have been murmurs around town that “jazz is back” in L.A., and this performance underscored that idea—of swing, of songcraft, of the ever-renewing vitality of jazz. At Catalina, Marina Pacowski reminded us that standards endure because great artists continue to reinvent them. And in her hands, the tradition sounds vibrantly, joyfully alive.
Follow Marina Pacowski here for future shows and new music.
Venue: CatalinaJazzClub.com | 6725 West Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA
