Gay Marshall Sings Piaf

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"An enchanting performer who sings with heart stirring transparency and possesses Piaf's spirit as well as the throbbing mixture of steel and cotton in the voice."
-Charles Isherwood, The New York Times

"It takes a brave singer to take on the Edith Piaf songbook. It takes a special one to pull it off so heart-piercingly."
-Adam Feldman, Time Out New York

PIAF: Queen of Heart, Gay Marshall's vivacious and original take on Piaf, is far from the traditional perception of her as a tragic icon. Instead, Marshall presents a versatile powerhouse of heartwarming and heartbreaking emotion, full of personality and humor. "Piaf was so much more than the way she's been portrayed as 'the poor thing,' Marshall told NPR's Scott Simon recently, "she's much more magic than tragic." Marshall delivers the dramatic repertoire - including her own English adaptations - with authenticity and not a hint of imitation. Her choice of songs is an unusual mix of the known (L'Accordeoniste and Padam Padam) and the rare (Avec Ce Soleil and The Lady From Pigalle), accompanied by a superb five piece ensemble. The original arrangements by Marshall and Paul Bevan are a wonderfully modern take on a classical theme.


Piano and Musical Direction  Eric Svejcar

Piano: Sonny Paladino
Violin: Deni Bonet
Accordion: Bill Schimmel
Bass: Danny Stone
Cello: Jim Pederson