"TAKE ME HOME" is my latest CD, released in November, 2008. This project was the result of my desire to record a set that represents what I do in live performance. Joining me on this recording are best-in-class musicians including Pat Firth on piano, Jon Burr on bass, Tony Jefferson on drums, and special guest, Gary Oleyar on violin. I hope you enjoy the cuts as much as I enjoyed recording it. Now you too can TAKE ME HOME! Available at LauraHull.com.
"HULLABALOO" was my debut of original music, co-produced by years-long musical partner, pianist and arranger Pat Firth. Joining us on the record were members of his band including Brian Killeen on bass, Dan Hindman on guitar, Josh Dion on drums, percussion and vocals. Guest players included Jim Saltzman on tenor, Dave Rimelis on violin, Chris Conner on vibes and Rob Paparozzi on chromatic harmonica. Released in 2006, Hullabaloo garnered a few songwriting award, major radio play, and many of the tunes have been licensed and are heard on compilation CDs in domestic and international markets.
"LAURA HULL JAZZ ENSEMBLE" and "LAURA HULL JAZZ JEMS" musicians have included Pat Firth, Jason Teborek, Ethan Herr, Tedd Firth, David Epstein, Johannes Wallman, Rio Clemente, Donna Antonow, Ted Brancato, Jerry Kozic, Rave Tesar, Steve Myerson, Joe Elefonte, Jill McCarron, Tomoko Ohno, Gary Haberman, Sarah Jane Cion, Larry Ham on piano and/or keyboards; Steve LaSpina, Dean Johnson, John Lenis, Al Cardillo, Frank Hauch, Tod Hedrick, Sue Williams, Saadi Zain, Tom DiCarlo, Lew Scott, Tony Marino, Paul Rostock, Steve Gilmore, Brian Glassman, Andy Eulau, Jon Burr on bass; Eric Johnson, John Hart, John Carlini, Walt Bibinger on guitar; Tim Horner, Jerome Jennings, Ryan Vaughn, Jeff Brillinger, Josh Dion, Greg David, Fred Taylor, Tony Jefferson, Anthony Pinciotti on drums; Adam Niewood, Todd Bashore, Jim Saltzman, Craig Yaremko, Patrick Wolff on reeds, and Warren Chiasson on vibes.
The first tune I remember singing in public was at Holy Family School in Flushing, NY to Sister Maria Madonna, my first grade nun - I sang Splish Splash. Soon after at the St. Agnes Villa for Girls in Wurtsboro, NY - an all girls catholic summer camp in the Catskill Mountains - I was in a production of The King and I, where I played the King (no joke) and Anna. Don't ask how this was accomplished, but it had to do with the girl in the King role getting ill and me having to run back and forth with her understudy. (I couldn't make this stuff up!). Anyway, I specifically recall singing Getting to Know You and Hello Young Lovers. My mother was so starry-eyed over my success, she enrolled me in a singing school located above the Mays Dept. store in Jamaica, Queens, and she was excited because Connie Francis had been a student there. Then I hit the big time! I was booked for 7 seasons in the Catskills at The Pines Hotel in So. Fallsburg, NY with my band(s). It was there (from age 12-19) that I really learned how to sing, sitting in with different bands and great musicians who played there periodically. It was a terrific experience, even in the 60s.
By the 70s, I was working at a major studio as a session singer, and I was singing jingles in addition to playing in my band(s). In the mid-70s I sang at the comedy clubs in NYC - running from one show to another at 4 different venues including Improv, Comic Strip, Catch a Rising Star and later at Dangerfield's. I met some wonderful people during that time, many of whom became very successful comedians and actors. I also met some incredible musicians, all of us struggling to make a living just to play music. And play we did!
Then I took a 24-year hiatus from music to pursue a business career. I returned to singing in 2004 with a one-woman show that I produced. I had a swinging band and we appeared in a tri-city run. Not long after that I joined a vocal revue, and then I formed a jazz ensemble and I've been singin' and swingin' since.
In 2006, I recorded and produced "Hullabaloo" my debut CD of original tunes, music which is now heard in domestic and international markets. I just completed (November 2008) my new release, "Take Me Home," a set of romantic tunes representing the music I love to perform live. I chose some great tunes, including I've Never Been in Love Before, How Little We Know, But Beautiful, to name a few.
I gig at a variety of venues around NY, NJ, CT, PA, and IL. In addition, I offer weekend seminars on "The Business of Singing" for vocalists, and I offer coaching. I'm a contributing columnist on the topic of vocalists, and I serve as a director for the NJ Jazz Society. For more information, visit my website: www.LauraHull.com
Below is a video of a live performance from May, 2007 -- THAT'S HIM OVER THERE -- written by Lew "nice 'n easy' Spence & Marilyn Keith [Bergman] with Pat Firth on piano, Brian Glassman on bass, and Jim Saltzman on tenor and flute:
That gig in Asbury Park was the most fun I've had standing up! Really screamin'... you are indeed The Pocket Lady Jerome Jennings, Jim Saltzman, Pat Firth - what a freekin band. Great...
Laura, I really enjoyed your latest column in the Jersey Jazz magazine..Nice article. Congratulations on your cool upcoming gigs, I will catch you at one of them. Happy Summer...Ro
It seems you had a birthday a few days back. I sure hope it was a great day for you.And I hope you have a wonderful year! Enjoy!! You really sound wonderful. I love your songs....
