What started as jam sessions at Vintage Bar and Grill in Abington became the start of something extraordinary, writes Shaun Brady for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
When vocalist Michelle Lordi hosted her weekly jazz jam in 2014, bassist Matthew Parrish joined in. From the first note, their chemistry was unmistakable. That chance collaboration would evolve into a creative and romantic partnership that has carried them across stages from Philadelphia to Paris.
Through the pandemic, the pair turned adversity into artistry, producing Break Up With the Sound, a 2021 album defined by introspection and resilience. Their newest release, Live at Dirty Dog, recorded during two Detroit performances in 2023, captures the warmth and synchronicity that define their musical bond. Featuring jazz standards alongside original material, it’s their first album as co-bandleaders — and their first as a couple.
Now living in Wyncote, Lordi and Parrish balance teaching roles at Princeton University with a blended family of six and an active touring schedule. They’ll next perform together on December 19 in Philadelphia, keeping that spark first kindled in Abington alive and swinging.
To learn more about Lordi, Parrish, and their new album, visit The Philadelphia Inquirer.
