René Marie & Experiment

Fearless jazz vocals, storytelling and soul

Sponsored by Joyce & Steve Westfall

3 Concerts in 2027 : Sunday Feb 28 6: 5 PM & 8 PM | Monday Mar 1 : 6:30 PM

René Marie is a very rare artist. A modern vocal icon, her unique artistry has been recognized with multiple domestic and international awards, including two Grammy Award nominations for Best Jazz Vocal Album. A lyricist / composer / arranger / playwright / actress / educator / speaker / and social justice activist, René is an Americana roots artist with jazz improvisational chops.

Influenced by her southern upbringing, she incorporates folk, R&B, country, and classical elements into her music and approach, lending her a unique sound and style that have captivated audiences worldwide. Over a span of two decades, 11 recordings, and countless festival and concert stage performances, René inspires people with her artistry, her life story, and her ability to affirm the power of the human spirit.

René studied piano for two years. After her parents divorced, she moved with her mother to Roanoke, Virginia, and began singing in R&B bands. She composed her first original song when she was 15. But at 18, she joined a strict religion that required her to stop singing. She married, had two sons, and began working at a bank.

At age 42, René listened to the encouragement of her older son, who knew she needed to sing again. She started singing for tips one night a week in a smoky hotel bar with the house band and, within a year, had established her own trio, JazzBone. Her success, however, caused problems in her marriage.

René moved to Richmond, Virginia, and divorced her husband. She then produced her first CD, “Renaissance” (1999), won the title role in the Richmond world premiere production of “Ella and Her Fella, Frank,” and signed to the Maxjazz record label. In 2000 Maxjazz released “How Can I Keep from Singing” and followed this with “Vertigo” (2001), “Live at Jazz Standard” (2003), and “Serene Renegade" (2004).

She has since released “Voice Of My Beautiful Country” (Motéma, 2009), “Black Lace Freudian Slip” (Motéma, 2010), “I Wanna Be Evil” (Motéma, 2013), and “Sound Of Red” (Motéma, 2016).

René has a deeply personal understanding of music’s capacity to change lives. Together with Experiment in Truth, she fearlessly explores the nooks and crannies of the human psyche and experience. René is a frequent star guest of Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Count Basie Orchestra, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, and many more that tap into big, brassy celebrations of fun and sass.