Celebrating MaryLynn Gillaspie—Women’s History Month

Celebrating jazz vocalist and photographer MaryLynn Gillaspie.

MaryLynn loves to sing an eclectic assortment of music: everything from 1940s standards, straight-ahead jazz, and updated versions of 60s pop tunes arranged and performed with the top of the crop of the area’s local musicians.

As a vocalist, she specializes in Jazz. She’s known for putting great performances together, as well as for her solo gigs.

MaryLynn started her music journey in 1978 as a founding member of the Grammy-nominated vocal jazz group ‘Rare Silk’, a three-part vocal group performing 30s and 40s music a la Boswell Sisters and Andrews Sisters, donning vintage clothing at their shows in Boulder and Denver venues.

When Rare Silk opened up for Benny Goodman at Mackey Auditorium in Boulder, he was so intrigued, he invited them to tour with him by leaving a personal voice message on MaryLynn’s answering machine! They performed with his band on and off for ten months at such iconic venues as Carnegie Hall, The Hollywood Bowl, and The Aurex Jazz Festival in Japan.

Locally, she has worked with: Eric Gunnison, Justin Adams, Mitch Chmara, Michael Schuller, Bill McCrossen, Gonzalo Teppa, Mark Simon, Dru Heller, Braxton Kahn, Jeff Jenkins, Tom Gershwin, Andy Weyl, Brad Goode, Brad Upton, Mark Diamond, Mike Marlier, Doug Roche, Pete Lewis, and many many more.

As a photographer, she’s best known for her portrait work. From corporate headshots to CD covers, creating portraiture, and discovering ways to present her photography. Her photography can be seen at MaryLynn Gillaspie Photography.

Picture credits: color photos: Jack Sasson, b&w photo: MaryLynn Gillaspie

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