MARI GREEN

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New pictures taken in New York on 16 Feb 2002, with Lasonya Gunter

Hello Michael - My name is Mari Green I am the artist that has been working with Lamar Thomas - I did check out the website
and it was surprising and very informative. You provide so much info for the soul music lovers!!!

The album is a compilation of songs that Lamar and his wife Judy have written over the years. "Sweet Melody" was written by Judy and Lamar's son.
"Once the pain begins" was written by Patrick Adams. Lamar is a good friend of my fathers- we were introduced at a show I was performing in in New
Jersey. He asked me if I wouldn't mind recording some of his songs-- of course my answer was "YES." The Music - I would put in the smooth jazz
category - it is mellow- in a very romantic and passionate way.

I hope that the record propels me to the next level - which would possibly be a recording deal. The album represents for me a sort of coming of age.
It was my first solo recording experience and so I have a lot of pride in the accomplishment.

I am a graduate of the Boston Conservatory of Music-- in Boston Massachusetts -- I have sung classical music primarily- and I still sing
with an opera company in Boston called OperaUnMet. I am actually a lyric soprano and have a high range- but every now and then that sexy lower voice
likes some attention- In "Angel" I got to use that voice. Opera Unmet an unconventional opera company - we sing not only opera, but broadway and
spirituals.

So this really has been my first project in this style of music. It is exactly the style that I would like to be recording. People have given me a
lot of feedback on the album. "Sweet Melody" and "How Come love won't come" seem to be getting a lot of attention lately- but it really changes
from month to month. Each song has gotten some notice- and that says a lot.

What I hope for the future is to record some of my own songs that I have written in this genre. I would love to work with Patrick and Lamar again,
they are very supportive and inspiring and I need that in my musical life. I also continue to audition in New York for Broadway and off broadway
musicals and tours. Really my life has a "Whatever happens next- I'll take on" sort of theme!! I don't know how that happened, but I love the freedom I
have and the lessons I am learning about my life and the world.

I listen to so many different styles of music, from hard rock to classical. From classical to jazz and from Jazz to broadway. I also love a lot of
contemporary folk music, and also have been known to rock out to some country. Good music is good music. You have to respect any artist that
produces music from themselves. It is such a spiritual thing - we as the audience witness. I can't really narrow it down to who I love the most
though. I listen to a lot of Gladys Knight, Etta James, and Nina Simone. When I was a child, My parents on long car trips would sing to the sounds of
Motown- and so I am inspired by that period of music as well. I am inspired by any artist who has the guts to get out and sing- or play their music-
that is what drives me- I want people to say that about me.

I will return to the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse in Clinton New Jersey to do a summer musical revue. And I sing at a club in the New York as part of a
singers' showcase every Monday night. So - I can't complain. I am hoping to get over to London soon and maybe try to put some performances together.
That is the next goal of mine for the album too. We have had a good response here in the U.S. - but it is very hard to get noticed here if you
are an unsigned artist, and it is a "catch 22" because it is also very hard to get noticed to get signed. We are hoping that the response abroad will
generate more interest over here.

I will let you know if I definitely make a trip to London - I would like very much to meet you personally -- Thank you so much for your time, I appreciate
it.

Peace, Love and Soul-
Mari

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