Michelle Pollace's Jazz y Clave

Friday, August 12, 2011 | 48 Hour Stage | 8pm

Michelle Pollace is a musician, composer and author based in Campbell, who began writing songs at the age of 11. Through San Jose State University and Martan Mann, she studied classical and jazz piano. Michelle has also studied latin piano/arranging privately with Rebeca Mauleon and Latin percussion with Dan Sabanovich.

Before launching her piano-based band, Michelle co-led Zarate Pollace Project with guitarist Abel Zarate who also wrote hit songs for Malo and Willie Bobo. Zarate Pollace Project released the CD Soul Redemption in 2005, which garnered worldwide radio airplay and reviews.

Michelle has embraced many musical styles over her career. Her arrangements of Jazz, Brazilian, and Afro-Cuban standards are fresh, and her own compositions express her unique perspective while honoring the roots of the music. With Michelle Pollace's Jazz y Clave, Michelle expresses her love of Jazz and Latin rhythms with the intimacy of a piano-led band, bringing fresh arrangements of standards and her own compositions into the mix. She is expecting to release her solo debut CD later this year. Michelle is also co-author of a music-education book/CD called Musicreation. 

michellepollace.com