Starlight. Solitude. Stillness. A wide-open winter sky. This imagery defines A Star’s Light Does Fall – a jazz album that both embraces the magical essence of the Christmas season and re-imagines the entire genre of holiday music. Guitarist Margaret Slovak and bassist Chris Maresh, both from Austin, go deep on this recording. Their musical mission is anchored in space, intimacy, and reflection. Margaret and Chris interpret classic carols such as “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and “Away In a Manger.” But there’s room for Wayne Shorter and Leonard Cohen on the album, too. Think of a holiday album in the spirit of Pat Metheny and Charlie Haden’s Beyond the Missouri Sky, a sublime mix of deep feeling and musical integrity.

Margaret Slovak - Biography
Guitarist and composer Margaret Slovak was born and raised in Denver, Colorado; she began playing the guitar at age 11 and composing at age 14. In 1986, Margaret received a BFA in Music from the Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, Washington. Her teachers included guitarists John Abercrombie, Dale Bruning, Dave Peterson and Ralph Towner. Margaret has performed throughout the US, as well as in Canada, Germany and the Czech Republic. She moved to Austin, Texas in 2012 from New York, where she lived from 1988 - 1993 and again from 2008 - 2012. While in NYC, Margaret had the opportunity to perform and record with pianists Fred Hersch and Joel Weiskopf, bassists Michael Formanek and Harvie S and drummer Michael Sarin. While living in Portland, Oregon, she toured the Pacific NW and Canada with her quartet, which included drummer Bob Moses. In addition to public performances, Margaret plays for patients in chemotherapy infusion centers, hospitals and hospice; she also performed for wounded combat veterans at the Bronx VA Hospital in NYC from 2009 - 2012. Margaret is also a visual artist, creating images which reflect her musical compositions; her colorful artwork appears on her CD packages. Margaret has released 4 CDs featuring her original music: Undying Hope, New Wings, For the Moment and Ballad for Brad, and a 5th CD of Christmas music with bassist Chris Maresh, entitled A Star's Light Does Fall. Margaret’s albums have received national and international airplay, and her music has been used in several documentary films. Margaret is also included in Scott Yanow’s 2013 book The Great Jazz Guitarists: The Ultimate Guide.

Chris Maresh - Biography
Virtuoso bassist and composer Chris Maresh was born in Beaumont, Texas and raised in San Antonio, TX. He began his professional music career in Austin, TX in 1984. In 1990, Chris received a BM in Applied Double Bass Performance with an Emphasis in Jazz from the University of Texas at Austin. His lyrical, soulful and tasteful playing has established him as one of the most in-demand studio and live performance musicians in Austin. Chris has performed and recorded with numerous jazz and blues artists, singer-songwriters and musical organizations including Eric Johnson, Mike Stern, Mitch Watkins, Ellis Marsalis, Johnny Nicholas, Pinetop Perkins, Marcia Ball, Monte Montgomery and The Austin Symphony. In 2002, 2005 and 2006 Chris was named “Bass Player of the Year” at the Austin Chronicle Music Awards at the SXSW Music Festival. Chris has performed on more than 200 albums. A major career breakthrough was his 10-year association with guitar legend Eric Johnson and his side project, Alien Love Child, where Chris’s composition “Rain” was nominated for Best Pop Instrumental Performance at the 44th Grammy® Awards in 2002. Another highlight was Chris’s appearance on Eric Johnson and jazz guitarist Mike Stern’s lauded 2014 album, Eclectic. In addition, Chris has released two solo albums of his original compositions, Tomorrow and Side Street. Chris appeared on Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Festival DVD and Eric Johnson’s Live at the Grove DVD. He also played on many movie soundtracks including Spy Kids 2, Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Michael, Happy Texas and Sliding Doors. Chris was also interviewed in 2011 in a promotional video as part of the 60th Anniversary of the Fender Precision Bass.

Margaret Slovak, Guitarist/Composer ; http://www.margaretslovak.com