Marc Soucy Expands His Sonic Universe with Cool Jazz Single ‘When I Take The Five’
- Tamara Jenna
- May 16
- 2 min read
Recorded live in 1983 with no overdubs, Soucy’s jazz-inspired shift delivers a raw, unfiltered glimpse into his evolution as composer and pianist.
Boston-based composer and pianist Marc Soucy has unveiled “When I Take The Five,” a new single released under his trio project, Antartica, featuring longtime collaborators Jeff Carano (bass) and Ray Lavigne (drums). Though officially released on 16 May 2025, the track was originally recorded live in 1983, capturing the group’s synergy with no overdubs—just a pure analog take straight to tape.
This release represents a major stylistic turn in Soucy’s career. Having spent years exploring the contours of progressive rock, “When I Take The Five” finds him stepping into jazz territory, drawing particular inspiration from the West Coast cool jazz movement and the iconic work of Dave Brubeck. The track’s title itself is a nod to Brubeck’s classic “Take Five,” but Soucy takes the genre into unexpected terrain with carefully arranged passages and minimal improvisation—90% of which was locked in during rehearsals.
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Performed entirely on an electric grand piano, the piece stands out as one of the most unique compositions in the Antartica catalogue. It’s also a key personal milestone. “This is an early 'mile marker' in my growth as a composer and player,” Soucy says. “Jeff's Berklee training came in handy, and Ray, as always, adapted and propelled the thing forward.”
Antartica’s formation dates back to the early 1980s, with Carano responding to a newspaper ad while attending Berklee College of Music. The trio quickly clicked and began rehearsing around Lowell, Massachusetts. Their chemistry and tight musicianship are on full display in this performance—preserved on half-inch analog tape for over four decades and finally shared with the world.
With three releases now available from the Antartica sessions and more archival material discovered, Soucy is planning to expand the series to eight total tracks, each with accompanying tribute videos celebrating his enduring friendship with Carano and Lavigne.
“When I Take The Five” isn’t just a song—it’s a snapshot of creative evolution, friendship, and the timeless joy of live music.
Genres: Art Rock, Jazz
Moods: Reflective, Sophisticated, Live, Vintage
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