Pianist & Vocalist, Carrie Marshall, is influenced by jazz, blues, gospel and Southern rock. She “rewards listeners with eloquent compositions intertwined with cool phrasing, smooth vocals and a signature down-to-earth touch.” (Mooresville Weekly) Wrapping her heart and voice around a lyric, Carrie infuses each song with power and poignancy.
An award winning songwriter and featured artist with the North Carolina Arts Council, Carrie’s original songs create a unique, signature sound that’s sophisticated yet accessible.
Carrie Marshall FAQs
Q. What style of music do you play?
A. The best way I know how to describe what I play is a blend of originals and covers of jazz and blues/singer/songwriter pop: Think Norah Jones and Diana Krall meets Sarah Bareilles or Carole King. I also love to cover the jazz classics from the Great American Songbook and do many shows of just jazz/blues standards.
Q. How many pieces are typically in the band and what instruments are they?
A. I work solo to six piece band, depending on what the job requires. For jazz gigs, I prefer to work as a trio to six piece band. I cover piano and vocals, but also hire guitar, upright or electric bass, drums, saxophone and/or trumpet.
Q. Do you play in other configurations?
A. Yes! I work with several different configurations, depending on what the client desires.
Q. Why did you become a professional musician?
A. Music is my love and my passion. I can’t not do it. I’ve been performing since I was 8 years old, so it’s been a way of life. In college I first began doing full concerts for audiences and haven’t stopped. I am also an award-winning songwriter, having written hundreds of songs of all genres for many years. Music is about communication and shared experience with the audience…music is communal. It is a way that I can serve the guests at the show or event.
Q. Where are you located?
A. I am based out of Raleigh, NC.
Q. Do you travel?
A. Yes, I travel!
Q. Why should an event professional book you?
A. If an event professional is looking for class and caliber, I deliver. I hire only top notch jazz musicians to play with me. My performance style is warm and friendly, without calling attention to myself or the band unnecessarily. It is about quality music and providing the musical backdrop to blend with the environment that the client desires for their event. For some clients, they want more of a show with music that gets their guests on their feet dancing. Others want elegant ambiance, without being the band being obtrusive. A recent (and repeat) client from the O.Henry Hotel Jazz Series describes my vocals this way:
“Carrie Marshall possesses a wonderful voice and presents a wide variety of American classics as well as her own material. Equally comfortable alone at the piano or backed by musicians, you can easily detect the influence of the greats, but in the end you will acknowledge her ability to make the songs her own. Her vocal range and intelligent interpretation plant her firmly at the front of the class for today’s performers.”
- Victoria Clegg, Jazz Curator, O.Henry Hotel
Q. Do you have the capability of providing your own sound & lights?
A. I can provide a sound system, but not lighting.
