Rita Marquez, jazz vocalist, is a veteran of Portland’s local jazz jam sessions and has been performing as a soloist for the past 15 years at venues such as Wilf’s, ArtBar, Arrrivederci, Tony Starlight’s and Mazza’s. Born in New York City, she experienced all the arts the city had to offer, seeing many Jazz luminaries perform regularly from an early age. Rita’s Caribbean heritage and the Latin sounds in her neighborhood immersed her in a love of dance and rhythm. She has a presence that can put a hush over a boisterous club and add excitement to an intimate setting. She is celebrating her first professional album, Street Medley, available at Bandcamp.