About the Artist

About Marion Mallard:

Chicago-based artist Marion Sly Mallard is a young and upcoming performing musician and composer. In addition to playing bass with musicians all over and around the city, Marion has many pursuits in the arts – composition, recording studio work, band-leading, music production/mixing, teaching, as well as photography. Originally from Decatur, IL, Marion grew up with music in her life in many forms. She has spent years studying upright and electric bass, as well as alto saxophone and piano, and has been recognized for her accomplishments doing so through various scholarships and awards. She has been a JEN Sisters in Jazz selectee, ranked among the top young bassists in Illinois as she was named the top bassist in the Honors Big Band at the ILMEA All-State Jazz Division, and has been a recipient of the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for her musicianship. Marion moved to Chicago in 2020 to pursue a degree in Jazz Studies at the DePaul University School of Music, from which she is a recent graduate, and to expand her artistry through many forms. Over the years, she has studied with many world-renowned musicians. Some of these musicians are those such as Marlene Rosenberg, Perry Rask, Lenard Simpson, Geof Bradfield, Dana Hall, Scott Hesse, Chris Nolte, Sharel Cassity, Dennis Carroll, Carlos Henriquez, and Clark Sommers. She is currently involved in many groups performing throughout the Chicago music scene, including those under her own name, as well as playing with world-renowned musicians such as Joel Ross. Marion is passionate in all her pursuits within the arts, and working toward many new collaborations.

About Tammy McCann:

Tammy McCann is an internationally recognized jazz vocalist whose powerful, sultry, and soulful voice paints pictures and tells stories by merging classical vocal technique and gospel aesthetic with jazz to create a sound that is completely her own. Named “Best Jazz Vocal Performance” by the Chicago Tribune, arts critic Howard Reich said of McCann, “a voice that soars in all registers, at all tempos, on all occasions…a voice that inspires wonder!”

McCann has performed with Ramsey Lewis, Willie Pickens,  and Von Freeman and toured as a “Raelette” with the great Ray Charles.  In addition, she has thrilled audiences at some of the nation’s premier jazz venues including Birdland, the Blue Note, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, and Chicago’s own Jazz Showcase.