Marina Pacowski

Element Band’s unique signature embodies the essence of world music. The band’s distinctive arrangements preserve and popularize traditional Armenian songs by infusing each piece with large-bodied vocals and contemporary sounds. The band’s original compositions resonate deeply with listeners yearning for the old world through a modern lens. Element Band has achieved its primary aim to bring an innovative edge to musical traditions while contemporaneously performing compositions with eloquent arrangements and instrumentation. Under the direction of Ara Dabandjian, Element Band has arrived on the world music scene with a poignant collection of songs with a musical palette that is sensual, playful, whimsical, and sometimes subtle. Element Band’s success is underpinned by the warm and passionate sounds of the Mediterranean and the vibrant, rich, and uplifting notes woven through their music. Dabandjian’s sophisticated arrangements touch listeners and breathe positive energy into the universal musical soul. Today, Element Band has evolved into an unprecedented and profoundly moving experience. The band’s multifaceted music comes to life through the use of contemporary and traditional instruments. Dabandjian’s trademark arrangements and instrumentations, paired with Soseh Aramouni’s and Natalie Avunjian’s hypnotic vocals, create a rare chemistry that makes Element Band’s performances unparalleled.

Fire up the yule log and find the perfect present for your holiday celebration. Michael Feinstein is coming home to the Taper for the first time in over 15 years. Feinstein launches his Center Theatre Group Residency with a special celebration featuring a sparkling array of holiday standards and special experiences that will surely get you and your loved ones in an exquisite holiday mood. This world premiere concert includes a mix of classic holiday songs, jazz standards, and never-before-performed arrangements of music from the Great American Songbook, brought to magical life with a combination of live performance, a multimedia children’s choir, and dynamic dance. Michael Feinstein, Ambassador of the Great American Songbook, continues to build a dazzling career over the last three decades bringing the music of the Great American Songbook to the world. From his recent 2022 Tony Award to recordings that have earned him five Grammy Award nominations and his Emmy-nominated PBS-TV specials, his acclaimed series and concerts have spanned the globe. His work as an educator and archivist define Feinstein as one of the most important musical forces of our time. “I am delighted to be invited back to the Taper as an Artist-in-Residence and to be in collaboration with the newly appointed Artistic Director, Snehal Desai. Having Feinstein’s at The Taper is the fulfillment of a dream,” says Michael Feinstein. “I can't imagine a better way to kick off this collaboration than by celebrating the upcoming holiday season and doing so with some of my favorite performers here on the Taper Stage. It feels good to be coming home.” With suave vocalism, charismatic stage presence, and stunning gifts as a pianist, Michael Feinstein illuminates classics from the Great American Songbook, Broadway, America's greatest export: Feature Films, as well as new music and more. Every concert is uniquely curated by Michael Feinstein with a top-notch band, acclaimed guest performers, and incredible true stories.

Grammy- nominated Larry Goldings + Tap dancer extraordinaire Melinda Sullivan, with David Piltch on bass and special guest vocalist, India Carney An unlikely and extraordinary duo. Larry (piano, keyboards) and Melinda (tap dancing) present an evening of eclectic music and tap dance that is both inventive and joyful. Over 1 million views on their collaborative videos online. “Melinda Sullivan-an extraordinary jazz musician-Larry Goldings a phenomenal pianist-this pairing is such an awesome experience. I am a super fan of this blending of all things rhythmic and melodic. I have never seen anything quite like it-I was literally blown away! If you get a chance to see Melinda and Larry, RUN don’t walk-it is breath-taking, refreshing,totally unique and will leave you screaming to see and hear more!!” -David Foster "Larry and Melinda knock me out. They're both incredible, and I'm already a big fan. Check it out." -Dr. Steve Gadd

Marina Pacowski, born in France and based in LA, is an award-winning jazz vocalist and concert pianist. A true improvising vocalist, she has performed at The Jazz Bakery and The Lighthouse and was featured in a tribute to Kenny Burrell at Catalina. She received a Jazz Excellence Award at Vitello’s (presented by KJazz’s Rhonda Hamilton) and was a special guest at Catalina for the Salute to Black Legends, honoring Ella Fitzgerald. On piano, she has toured internationally, performing extensively in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, as well as the US. Composers write virtuosic pieces for her, and she has recorded a piano concerto written for her by Frank Proto, accompanied by Cincinnati Symphony soloists. Her new Summit Records CD “Inner Urge” features a who’s who: Joel Frahm, John Clayton, Roy McCurdy, Josh Nelson, Jon Mayer, Brent Fischer, Peter Erskine, Larry Koonse, Carl Saunders, Nolan Shaheed, Bevan Manson, Mark Massey, Mike Gurrola, and Scott Whitfield.

Rose Colella sings Tony Bennett Join New York Times-featured jazz vocalist Rose Colella for an elegant evening celebrating the life & musical legacy of one of our most treasured jazz singers, Tony Bennett. Through stories and song, Rose's quintet will present unique arrangements of Tony's greatest hits from the dreamy "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" to the provocative "I Wanna Be Around," along with hidden gems from his early recordings. Featured in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune & LA Jazz Scene, Los Angeles-based jazz vocalist Rose Colella has also received mention in All About Jazz, JAZZIZ, NPR's A Blog Supreme & TimeOut NYC, describing her as “elegantly tipsy,” “pure seduction,” “cooly coquettish” & “beautiful and inviting." The Rose Colella Quintet: Rose Colella, vocals Carey Frank, piano Rick Shaw, bass Bernie Dresel, drums Frank Fontaine, saxaphone rosecolella.com

Professional Entertainer and Jazz Musician, Kirk Andrés Wilson continues to display rare qualities of many talents in a new world of music performance. A regular attraction at Downtown Disneyland for more than ten years, local fans, as well as internationals often made special reservations to catch one of Kirk’s shows. Growing up near New Orleans, He delivers a very soulful sound on vocals, with a deep jazz heritage on piano and a smooth jazz sound on guitar. While performing seven styles of jazz, he also includes a touch of R&B in his repertoire. He has performed at most of Los Angeles’ premier venues as well as many touring performances in Europe, Asia and the Americas. Wilson's 2017 released single, "Wonderful World" reached number 9 in Billboard Magazine. Experience performing with many Grammy Winning Artists seems to add to his comfort and command of the stage. Band features Grammy award winning musicians, Land Richard’s, Edwin Livingston, George Bell and a few guests TBA

Joined by his 8-horn big band and several guest vocalists, Brian Clemens will be taking you on a musical journey with highlights from his recent album release, “Beneath the Blue. From the jaunty Afro-Cuban energy of the original tune “Callout!” to the sentimental and moving modulations in “Twilight Time”, the album features a diverse range of sounds and styles. The show will also feature an exciting and entertaining mix of jazz favorites, R&B, and some surprises. Guest singers include the talented Maria Schafer, Anna Crumley, and Andrea Miller. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Brian Clemens finds his musical influences and roots in legendary pianists such as Oscar Peterson and arranging styles in the work of Billy May. Upon completion of his Master’s, Brian has established himself as a pianist and arranger in the vast Southern California music scene. In late October, he will be bringing his “Beneath the Blue” show to several European cities such as London and Amsterdam.

Marlon Martinez is a young virtuoso bassist and composer who has toured with genre-blurring artists, notably Stewart Copeland, Mike Garson and Quatuor Ebène. Marlon is the protégé of mentor Stanley Clarke, a classical graduate of the Colburn Conservatory of Music, and he studied with legendary jazz bassist Ron Carter in New York City. His big band Marlonius Jazz Orchestra presents his original music and revitalizes the music of Billy Strayhorn, including lesser known masterpieces. Josie James is a Grammy Award nominated singer, songwriter and radio personality. Josie is equally at home on the concert stage or in the recording studio with a track record like Stevie Wonder, Al Jarreau and Burt Bacharach. She sings a wide variety of music influenced by R&B, gospel, pop and jazz. Jazz funk- fusion fans remember Josie James as the lead vocalist of the original George Duke Band (“talk to me quick!”), and sang on most of George’s albums including Duke’s last release Dreamweaver.