We Speak Music

Marie-Claire Giraud Unveils Her Most Ambitious Musical Journey Yet With New Album MY BIG BOLD & BEAUTIFUL TECHNICOLOR FANTASY

Published

3 months ago

August 6, 2026

A genre-defying celebration of jazz, opera, pop, and world music featuring collaborations with Grammy Award-winning Vernon Reid, Sondra Radvanovsky, and Lisa Marie Simmons

Acclaimed vocalist, composer, and visionary artist Marie-Claire Giraud invites listeners into a dazzling universe of sound, color, and imagination with the release of her highly anticipated new album, MY BIG BOLD & BEAUTIFUL TECHNICOLOR FANTASY.

Blending the sophistication of jazz, the drama of opera, the energy of pop, and the vibrant rhythms of world music, the album is a deeply personal reflection of the influences that have shaped Marie-Claire’s extraordinary artistic journey. Inspired by the glamour of Carmen Miranda, the golden age of Hollywood musicals from the 1940s and 1950s, and a lifetime of musical exploration, MY BIG BOLD & BEAUTIFUL TECHNICOLOR FANTASY creates a world that is bold, layered, and endlessly expressive.

“This album is a celebration of everything that has inspired me—the music, cultures, artists, and stories that have shaped who I am,” says Marie-Claire Giraud. “It’s a journey through sound, imagination, and emotion, where every song reveals another color of the fantasy.”

The album features an impressive collection of collaborations that highlight Marie-Claire’s ability to seamlessly bridge musical worlds. Grammy Award-winning guitarist Vernon Reid joins her on “Honey Honey Baby,” a soulful, retro-inspired track inspired by Ronnie Spector and the iconic girl groups of the 1960s. Opera superstar Sondra Radvanovsky lends her extraordinary voice to a reimagined jazz interpretation of Jacques Offenbach’s timeless classic “Barcarolle,” while Lisa Marie Simmons appears on “BLU X,” a soaring and uplifting anthem about resilience, healing, and transformation.

Adding to the album’s vibrant tapestry is “It Had To Be You,” an immersive celebration inspired by the rhythms, colors, and spirit of Brazilian Carnival. Throughout the record, Marie-Claire transforms classic influences into something fresh and contemporary, creating a musical experience that feels both nostalgic and completely new.

Known as a fearless innovator, Marie-Claire Giraud is a true Renaissance musician whose artistry exists at the intersection of sound, culture, and creativity. Her signature style, HipHopera, combines the rhythmic power of hip-hop with the emotional depth and grandeur of operatic vocals, while her rich soprano voice brings a soulful elegance to jazz, reggae, and contemporary music.

Marie-Claire’s songwriting is equally distinguished. She co-wrote two songs on the album with Grammy-nominated songwriter Jeff Franzel and also co-wrote a song with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Harbison, further reflecting the remarkable breadth of her artistic collaborations.

Throughout her career, Marie-Claire has collaborated across genres with artists including reggae legend Spragga Benz on “Rastaman Chant” and hip-hop artist Rob $tone on “Chill Bill,” featured in RCA/Sony’s Out of the Comfort Zone series. Her reggae-influenced EP Dreamland further showcased her versatility, while her original works and reinterpretations of jazz standards have established her as one of today’s most compelling genre-defying vocalists.

Her artistry has also inspired celebrated creators. Jamaican music icon Bob Andy wrote “Constellation” specifically for Marie-Claire, while Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Harbison created a four-song cycle tailored to her voice, with Marie-Claire contributing original lyrics and melodies.

Raised in the Bronx, New York, and born on the Caribbean island of Dominica, Marie-Claire Giraud has built a remarkable career spanning intimate jazz clubs, major international festivals, and some of the world’s most prestigious stages. She has performed at the United Nations, Barclays Center (performing the U.S. National Anthem), Central Park SummerStage, Dizzy’s Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City, and the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London. Internationally, she has also appeared at the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, Cartagena Jazz Festival, and Creole in the Park in her native Dominica.

In more intimate settings, Marie-Claire has captivated audiences at legendary venues including Preservation Hall in New Orleans alongside the Preservation Hall All-Stars, Blues Alley in Washington, D.C., and New York City institutions such as Smalls Jazz Club, Joe’s Pub, and Omar’s.

With MY BIG BOLD & BEAUTIFUL TECHNICOLOR FANTASY, Marie-Claire Giraud continues her mission of transcending boundaries and connecting cultures through music. More than simply a collection of songs, the album is a vibrant, cinematic experience where jazz, opera, pop, and global sounds collide to create a breathtaking celebration of artistry, imagination, and fearless self-expression.

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Pauline Frechette Releases “The Wonder of Stars” Featuring Legendary Bassist Stanley Clarke

Published

13 hours ago

November 7, 2026

Olivia Long

Billboard-charting composer, pianist, and vocalist Pauline Frechette releases her new single, “The Wonder of Stars,” featuring legendary bassist Stanley Clarke. Taken from her latest album, At the Edge of Everything, the song is a personal reflection on the beauty of the universe, the search for direction, and the quiet strength that comes from looking beyond everyday worries.

Living in Ojai, California, surrounded by mountains and natural beauty, Pauline finds inspiration in one of her favorite nighttime activities: stargazing with her husband. For her, looking up at the stars is more than simply admiring the night sky. It is a way to find peace, regain perspective, and reconnect with her sense of purpose.

“When I am tired or anxious about something, star gazing relaxes me. I feel strong and sure of the path I must follow,” Pauline explains. Inspired by the explorers who once relied on the stars for courage and direction, she sees the night sky as a reminder that there is always a way forward, even when life presents obstacles.

That feeling became the foundation for “The Wonder of Stars.” Pauline began composing the music while singing, allowing the lyrics to emerge naturally from the emotions and story already expressed through the melody. She considers the song one of her finest compositions.

Featuring the unmistakable musicianship of Stanley Clarke, “The Wonder of Stars” brings together Pauline’s distinctive approach to composition and performance with the artistry of one of music’s most celebrated bassists.

Pauline Frechette has built an impressive career as a composer, pianist, and vocalist. Her compositions have been performed by renowned orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, New West Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and National Symphony at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Her work has also been presented at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Beyond the concert stage, Pauline has contributed her voice to major film scores and performed alongside some of the biggest names in music, including Paul McCartney, Beck, Cher, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Muse, and Leonard Cohen.

Her current album, At the Edge of Everything, features Stanley Clarke and showcases her ability to move naturally between jazz, neo-classical instrumentals, and expressive vocal compositions. Her music has accumulated more than 30 million streams worldwide.

Through her music and performances, Pauline brings together technical excellence, emotional honesty, and a deep sense of vulnerability. With “The Wonder of Stars,” she offers listeners a reminder to pause, look beyond their immediate surroundings, and find inspiration in the world above them.