Maralisa & The Starlight Martinis

Vocalist Maralisa brings her Bay Area jazz quartet The Starlight Martinis to Black Cat for two intimate sets of classic standards, bossa nova, and throwback soul. Drawing inspiration from vocal legends Nina Simone and Julie London, Maralisa's emotionally-driven vocals create what Revive Music calls "a confident, developed style that makes her immediately recognizable."

With roots in jazz, blues, and soul influences including Taj Mahal, Billie Holiday, Bonnie Raitt, and Amy Winehouse, Maralisa's distinct sound flows seamlessly through genres with a focus on the heart and emotion of each song. The Bay Area native studied jazz voice at The New School in New York, where she spent nearly a decade forming her band Space Captain (Tru Thoughts Records) before returning home to San Francisco.

The Starlight Martinis features seasoned Bay Area musicians: pianist Jay Sanders, bassist Eric Markowitz, and drummer James Gallagher, with additional contributions from guitarist Jack Roben and saxophonist Danny Brown for this Black Cat performance. The quartet specializes in reimagining timeless standards and Latin-influenced rhythms with Maralisa's soulful interpretation.

Maralisa has shared stages with notable acts including Khruangbin, BADBADNOTGOOD, Ghostface Killah, and Nick Hakim at venues like Bimbo's 365 Club and the Bryant Park Emerging Music Festival. Her solo work includes the genre-bending EP Sugarbird and numerous releases with Space Captain, while she's currently crafting her first solo LP that melds soul, psych-pop, and 70s folk with visceral storytelling about family history and personal growth.

Expect an evening of sophisticated jazz vocals backed by a tight rhythm section that honors the tradition while bringing fresh energy to beloved songs. Black Cat offers two shows, allowing for an intimate supper club experience where Maralisa's compelling vocal style can truly shine.