Myoshi: The EP by Myoshi Marilla

Myoshi occasionally has a light, playful voice, but shows she can also be belt it out on cuts such as the disc's best number, the midtempo "Livin For Me." She elected to record the album "live," and it was a wise move. The album has an immediate feel to it and the band -- consisting of trumpeter Kevin Louis, trombonist Dion Tucker, guitarist Charmel Rogers, keyboardist Burny Pelsmajer, bassist Nate Jones and drummer Jeremy Clemons - is solid, if occasionally overpowering. And her mostly self-penned material is melodic and well structured.

Myoshi: The EP isn't perfect, but effectively shows a creative, out-of-the-ordinary artist growing in her craft, and gives listeners - many of whom know of her as a TV host - a tasty introduction to Myoshi Marilla, the singer. We're looking forward to hearing more.

-Chris Rizik

Soul Tracks, America's #1 Soul Music Website! (http://www.soultracks.com)

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“Rock, funk, jazz, and a seductive serving of soaring soul. That's the vibe of Myoshi Marilla, and that's the marvelous merge you'll experience when you check out her brilliant debut EP.

Myoshi's vocals are powerful without being overpowering, and gentle without being innocuous. Her organic production approach emphasizes musicianship and 70s-style band interplay, and the combo of her top notch cats along with her dynamic song-belting chops makes for a marvelous tandem indeed.

Dig this chick. She's on the upswing, and her music will please your mind, feet, and ears.”

- Rafe Gomez

DJ/host, "The Groove Boutique" syndicated jazz mix show (http://www.thegrooveboutique.com)

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/// THE CD ///

For her cd debut, Myoshi has teamed up with two phenomenal musicians, Kevin Louis (trumpet) and Dion Tucker (trombone). The three of them together have created a funky, jazzy, rock infused sound sprinkled with a little latin, a little drum and bass, a little whatever feels good at the moment. "I write all the lyrics and the melodies and take it to the guys. We sit down in front of Kev's Rhodes, I sing it through, and see what they come up with. Sometimes I need a chord changed or want to change the flow of the song. They get what I'm trying to say right away. I couldn't have asked for two better musicians to collaborate with."

The five song EP was recorded live. "I wanted to record in an all live environment because I want the music to have the energy and vibe of a live performance. I want it to be very organic." The cd, Myoshi: The EP, was independently released January 30, 2007.

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/// BIO ///

Myoshi Marilla is a singer. She is a songwriter. She is an actress and a tv host. She wears many hats but music was the thing that started it all off for her. Music is her first love.

Growing up in a musical family, Myoshi has been in love with music for as long as she can remember. Like many African American children, she started singing in the church choir at a very young age. Ballet and gymnastics classes combined with piano lessons helped nurture her natural talent. In school, she was always active in the choir and theatre arts. Myoshi got her first professional singing job while still in high school. She auditioned for and landed a featured role singing and dancing in a show at Busch Gardens theme park in Williamsburg, Virginia where she worked opposite Taye Diggs. In addition to working there for two seasons, she became lead singer for a show band based in Virginia.

Myoshi was offered the lead in a brand new show going into the Hilton International Hotel in Tokyo. The show ran for four months and Myoshi left Japan with a job offer to star in a show in Atlantic City. Myoshi, a classically trained singer, has performed alongside some of Broadway's hottest stars. Over the years, she has performed in shows throughout the United States and abroad. She has had the pleasure of singing at a star-studded event for the King of Morocco at his palace in Marrakech, Morocco. She even got to dance with Sean Connery! She has also performed for Robert DeNiro and his wife at a party at their home. From Lake Tahoe to New Zealand and numerous places in between, Myoshi has traveled the globe doing what she loves to do - SING!

She has now added television host to her resume. Myoshi just wrapped up two seasons as the co-host of The BETJ List on the BETJ network. Myoshi, along with her co-host Maven Huffman (WWE wrestler, VH1 Surreal Life), presented a weekly two-hour countdown of the Top 10 Neo Soul and R&B hits featuring artist and celebrity interviews. There was an additional Top 10 list focusing on pop culture and lifestyle in New York City and the world. She had the opportunity to interview people such as Tyson Beckford, The Brand New Heavies, Aaron Neville, and many others. She also introduced many new musical acts in a nationwide forum for the first time.

In addition to writing and performing her own music, Myoshi continues to pursue opportunities in acting and television. She has appeared in various commercials, in a featured role on the Court TV show Parco, P.I., and she can be seen in a milk promo on the Oxygen Network. She currently lives in New York City.

Average Customer Review: 4