NOMA presents a series of virtual concerts featuring a range of music’s best and brightest performing from their homes. Assembled by internationally renowned multi-instrumentalist and composer Mahmoud Chouki, enjoy these relaxed and informal music experiences with acclaimed musicians from New Orleans and beyond.
ABOUT Carmella Rappazzo and Mark Carroll
Mark Carroll and Carmela Rappazzo are both musicians and have been married for 30 years. Except for a few gigs in Newport, California, when they first met, and Mark’s gig playing the World Cup Parties when it was in Los Angeles, and a few soundtracks for independent movies, they have pursued separate paths in music. Much better to stay married. After living in New York, then L.A., then New Mexico, then back to New York, they chose to make their home in New Orleans. They were still successfully avoiding playing music together until their friend Paul Sanchez started having them up at his gigs as a duo. They now perform regularly together, covering Americana music, their own original compositions, and even a few standard jazz tunes—much to their amazement, while still married.
Carmela was raised in upstate New York with a love of the Great American Songbooks. Her father and five of his brothers were big band swing musicians. Music was always a part of family gatherings. She has lived and performed in New York, Los Angeles, and internationally. She has recorded and released three standard jazz cover albums and two original composition albums receiving critical praise for all. She was nominated for a New Mexico Music Award for best jazz original composition, has appeared in several feature films and been a part of the Musicians Assistance Program, a division of Music Cares.
Her album release Myths and Legends is a collection of original songs written by Carmela about difficult women, love gone wrong, and the dreams and spirits within us all. The recording also includes two covers from Duke Ellington and Al Anderson. The newest release, Howlin’ At The Moon, was recorded at The Ellis Marsalis Center For Music in New Orleans and is heavily influenced by the people, culture and sounds of the city. It features the great local musicians that reside in the Crescent City.
Mark Carroll is originally from New England. His love of music developed at an early age playing the guitar and several other instruments. He has played in many rock and Americana bands and led a large piece band while living in Los Angeles where he also scored independent films and documentaries including the critically acclaimed Ten Tiny Love Stories directed by Rodriego Garcia. He has appeared in theatrical performance pieces and has done studio work on various artist’s recordings. After living in New York, Los Angeles, New Mexico, and back to New York, he now resides in New Orleans and plays regularly around town and can be heard with Gwenn And Mad City, Patrick Cooper, and Carmela Rappazzo.
To learn more:
www.carmelarappazzo.com
View the full Musicians from Home series
NOMA is committed to uniting, inspiring, and engaging diverse communities and cultures through the arts — now more than ever. Your gift will make a direct and immediate impact as NOMA welcomes our community back to the museum and sculpture garden, plans new exhibitions, and develops virtual and at-home arts education resources for school partners.