Spoken Standards by Lisa Marie Simmons I Marco Cremaschini

This EP, Spoken Standards, is our offering to you. It will be available for free, but if you feel moved to contribute, any donations will be sent directly to the incredible non-profit EMERGENCY, which provides medical care to victims of war and poverty. We’re honored to support their life-saving work in any way we can.

Inspired by the warmth and openness of the SUNY Oneonta community, this EP pairs four jazz standards by Monk and Ellington with the poetic power of Langston Hughes, Nikki Giovanni, and others. Together, they create an intimate tapestry of sound and story—a reflection of our residency’s journey, of the resilience that rises in response to sorrow, and of the artistry that connects us all. We hope you hear, as we did, a call for unity, beauty, and joy.

Recorded on SUNY Oneonta’s Steinway Model D during a residency marked by conversations and kindness, this album carries forward the voices of the past in a celebration of human resilience. We offer it as our thanks to a community that opened its doors—and its hearts—to us.

Tracklist

1.	Black and Tan Fantasy	5:55

2.	Crepuscule with Nellie	4:38

3.	Fleurette Africaine	5:21

4.	Ruby My Dear	4:00

Credits

released December 20, 2024

Marco Cremaschini Piano
Lisa Marie Simmons Vocals
Mixed by Gavin Farrell
Recorded at SUNY Oneonta during our SLAB Residency on a Steinway Model D
Artwork by Steve Johnson on Unsplash
unsplash.com/@steve_j

Much gratitude to Virginia Fowler and Nikki Giovanni

Our heartfelt gratitude to Gavin, Moira, Sara, Laura, Colby, Mark, Jeremy, and Yolanda—your generosity and dedication are remarkable.

And a special thanks to Joe Pignato and the SUNY Oneonta Music Department, who welcomed us into the inaugural SLAB Residency with extraordinary kindness, support, and the Steinway Grand of our dreams.

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