JJkizak Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Saw her on PBS and thought she was very good. One of my first thoughts was to send her a bag of lag bolts to fasten that piano down to the floor. JJK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris A Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 I saw Ms. Ball at J&J's Blues Bar in Fort Worth in the late 80s after seeing a portion of a televised performance on Austin City Limits from the 70s with her appearance. While I wouldn't say that her breadth of repertoire is very great, i.e., basically New Orleans-style piano blues and boogie in the style of Professor Longhair, etc., I will say that she does entertain a crowd. She waltzed into the venue with a fairly lavish evening dress and some kind of stole in exceptionally high heels and strolled over to the stage/piano--at about 6 feet 5 inches in height (in costume). My guess is that she is at least 6 feet tall. After a short setup time, she launched into one of her standards with her crossed leg swinging quite seductively to the beat and proceeded to get everyone's attention immediately. I think that the term is "Amazon with a flair". It was very enjoyable evening, and I don't go to smoky bars. She also appeared on Clint Eastwood's contribution to "The Blues" series that was broadcast on PBS a number of years ago, the episode is called simply "Piano Blues" and it is the most amazing episode in the set (IMHO), starting out with Ray Charles visiting Clint in a recording studio, playing/talking while sharing the piano bench. (For those that don't know, Eastwood is a jazz pianist in his own right.) Marcia played with Eastwood sharing the piano bench solo. It's charming. Eastwood and Marcia looked each other at eye level while sitting... I recommend that DVD highly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piano_Blues_(film). One of her better known compositions: Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Richard Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 I've seen her many times and she never fails to impress. Whether there are 25 people in the audience or at a festival playing for thousands she gives 100% every time. She is a true professional through and through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEvan Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 We were in a bar in uptpwn New Orleans watching Marva Wright when this tall gla asked if she could sit with us. I immediately recognized her as Marcia. It was a fun evening. Marva saw her and brought her up for a few tunes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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