Marie started singing professionally at the age of fifteen with the Randolph Brothers, an R&B band in Roanoke, Virginia, her hometown. By eighteen, she married a musician in the band and set aside her career to become a wife and mother to her two sons. But she didn't stop singing. She immersed herself in the recordings of her idols, Fitzgerald and Vaughan-singing into a tape recorder at home to learn their skills. Her mantra became: Listen, learn and practice. While in her forties, Marie received a phone call from her son who was at a local restaurant in Richmond listening to a singer. He told his mom she could sing better and to try it out. She did and wowed the audience-her practice had paid off and her dreams were reborn.

Marie is a formidable artist at a time when the jazz world is desperately trying to decide who will be the "new leaders" of jazz. There is a growing buzz about Marie in the jazz world. Blues Alley, the prestigious Washington Club, and the Ashford Coffee & Tea are some of the "gigs" she has played. Prior to her arrival to the Delta, Marie will have performed in Washington at the Kennedy Center Jazz Club. During her stay in Greenville, Marie will put on an educational outreach workshop for the elementary aged public schools.

Delta Symphony Association is presenting the Jazz Tribute to the Blues in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Arts, The Greenville Arts Council. The Mississippi Arts Commission, The Southern Arts Federation, The Delta Democrat Times, The Best western Regency, WXVT,WABG, The King's Daughters Hospital and the City of Greenville.

Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and are available at Buck's Restaurant, Village Pharmacy, Exceptionale, Dattel & Co., The Greenville Arts Council, The Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, Paul Michaels in Lake Village, Forever Young in Indianola, Alla Carte in Cleveland and Jiminey Creek in Leland.


Robby Scucchi, Asst. Director
Community Development
Delta Regional Medical Center
662.334.2321 office
662.390.2175 pager