Karen Marguth and Espacio at Catalina’s, L-R: Eva Scow, Nathan Guzman, Karen Marguth, Pat Olvera, Mike Taylor (Photo by Glenn A. Mitchell)

Vocalist Karen Marguth delivered a delightful show with the band Espacio at Catalina’s Jazz Club, March 3rd.   Their performances incorporate classic and modern jazz as well as Latin, Brazilian, and funk. She lives in Fresno, CA as do the Espacio members, led by brilliant mandolinist, Eva Scow.  Mike Taylor (guitar), Pat Olvera (bass) and Nathan Guzman (drums), all excellent musicians, rounded out the rest of Espacio. 

Marguth was raised in Central CA and has been an active performer her whole life.  Her new CD, Karen Marguth, was released in October 2009 and has 15 tracks, many of which she sang at Catalina’s.  

The well-known standard, “That Old Black Magic,” began the long one-set show.  Marguth’s voice is sweet and identifiable.  Lead instruments were both excellent. Tayor’s guitar and Scow’s mandolin performance sent an early notice of musical superiority, including their solos.  The rhythm section of Olvera’s bass and Guzman’s drumming worked cohesively to perfection.             

A Brazilian song, “Na Beira do Rio,” had great balance between the instruments.  Drummer Guzman gave a cooking solo during this number.  Marguth’s enunciation in Portuguese is impeccable.  Some standards that the audience liked were “Comes Love,” “I Get A Kick Out of You” and “The Nearness of You,” which was very romantic.   Scow kept the melodic content flowing for “Comes Love,” making it truly a standout number for the evening, in my opinion.     

The quartet played the title track from Scow’s newer CD, Sharon by the Sea.  Scow’s mandolin playing is phenomenal!  I recently heard her with another group, Brazilian Jazz Collective, that also was outstanding.  Another sweet song, sung beautifully by Marguth, was “Ao Vento,” done again in Portuguese that was alluring and gorgeous to hear.  Another standout was “Lagrimas Negras,” a number done in Spanish, which came off superbly.  Closing out the set was a wonderful jazz standard and highlight, “Unit 7.”  The rhythm section got a grand workout with Olvera giving a splendid solo on his electric bass and Guzman following with an unbelievable solo on the drums.  Scow and Taylor backed the rhythm solos expertly.

The audience, although smaller during mid-week, gave lots of good applause and enjoyed this excellent show.  See Karen Marguth’s website:  www.karenmarguth.com for more info on her many engagements at jazz festivals and other gigs, and how to obtain her newest and very nice CD. 

Reprinted with permission from L.A. Jazz Scene, April 2010 issue.             

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