Eric Boucher - piano and Fender Rhodes
Rich Brown - electric bass
Perry White or Luis Deniz - saxophone
Anthony Michelli - drums
Album credits for the music featured here:
Adrean Farrugia - piano Eric Boucher - piano (on 'Pretty Little Baby') Jim Vivian - bass Kevin Brow - drums Bob Brough - tenor saxophone Kevin Turcotte - trumpet and flugelhorn Geoff Young - classical guitar Matt Stevens - acoustic & electric guitars (on the song 'Everything')
Influences
What I'm diggin right now: Dianne Reeves, Al Green, Marvin Gaye, Betty Carter, Shirley Horn, Nina Simone, Janis Joplin, Fela, Ravi Shankar, Mel Torme, Candi Staton, Erikah Badu, Nickel Creek, Lhasa, Thelonius Monk, Billie, Chaka, Bird, Peter Gabriel, The Smiths, Stereolab, Nick Drake, CSN&Y, Simon and Garfunkel, Maria Muldaur, Death Cab for Cutie, Neko Case, Lucinda Williams, Elvis Costello, Aretha, Cole Porter, Hoagie Carmichael, Debussy, Joni Mitchell, David Bowie, Tower of Power, Blue Oyster Cult, E.S.T, Lauryn Hill, Ann Peebles, etc. SHEILA JORDAN. Too many to name.
In December 2005, Larra released her debut album The World Disappears at the famed Montreal Bistro in Toronto to a sold-out crowd. Since then, her original compositions have been receiving airplay from jazz & campus stations worldwide, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (including Jurgen Gothe's DiscDrive program). In February 2006, The World Disappears debuted at the top spot on Toronto's CIUT 89.5 FM chart. In June 2006, HMV took The World Disappears nationwide,
and Larra became the 1 bestselling independent jazz artist
for the music retailer. In March 2007, Larra performed to a
packed house at the Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver to celebrate the release of The World Disappears on Festival Distrbution.
At 24, Larra has performed with some of the best in Toronto's music scene - including Dave Restivo, Jim Vivian, Perry White, Anthony Michelli, Barry Romberg and Rich Brown.
Growing up in Newmarket, Ontario, Larra learned to play guitar from the books at her parents' bookstore. Music was in the family; sister Rosanne Baker Thornley's 1993 album, Courage, was distributed by Sony Music. By 13, Larra was singing in a professional children's choir and performing her original material regularly at a local coffeehouse.
In high school, Larra played trombone in a variety of jazz ensembles and concert bands, and fronted the six-piece folk-rock outfit Mars Violet that played the 2002 Women's Voices Festival in Ottawa. In addition to providing experience as a band leader, Mars Violet was also Larra's showcase for her own original songs in French and English.
In 2002-03, Larra studied at Ryerson University's journalism school. A Canada Day backyard jam that summer led to a collaboration with songwriter/producer Gerard P. Finn (Damhnait Doyle, EMI). Several months later, their songwriting and recording partnership flourishing, Larra decided to take a one-year leave from her studies, move to Hamilton and work with Gerard.
They returned to Toronto in 2005 to complete the The World Disappears, whose other co-writers include Eric Boucher, Adrean Farrugia, and Mladen Solaja. Recorded at Reaction Studios in 2005, it features some of the most respected and sought-after jazz musicians in Canada, including: pianists Farrugia and Boucher, drummer Kevin Brow, bassist Jim Vivian, trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, saxophonist Bob Brough, and guitarists Geoff Young and Matt Stevens.
The album is currently available through Larra's independent label, AudioMaiden Music.
CANADA: To purchase a copy of The World Disappears, click below:
.. --> --> USA & INTERNATIONAL: CDBaby: Click Below! --!>
LARRA SKYE: World Disappears
Bestselling jazz album of 2006 for Canadian retail chain HMV. "Larra Skye is a lovely, unique blend of a poetic folk-singer's mind and a dynamic jazz-singer's soul." - CIUT 89.5 FM
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CD available at all HMV locations in Canada.
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"Thank you Larra SB. Great band, great tunes and you deliver it LIVE. A real pleasure to play with you. You're definitely one of the top singers I've worked with." - Richard Underhill, Juno award-winning saxophonist, April 2007.
".. confident and versatile. The album is a great jazz vocal performance." - The Vancouver View, August 2006
"Larra Skye is a lovely, unique blend of a poetic folk-singers mind and a dynamic jazz-singers soul." - Andy Frank, Producer and Host of ITS (A)LIVE, CIUT 89.5 FM
"Larra Skye's 'The World Disappears' is an enchanting kick start to what could be a great career." - Tien Providence, CKLN 88.1 FM
"an inventive charmer of a jazz stylist. Not quite a chanteuse, not quite a torch singer, she creates a new category for herself with impressive songwriting and a voice that's like a whisper in your ear." - David Hayes, freelance journalist and writer of magazine features on Diana Krall and Michael Bublé
"Sharp winds of a Canadian winter begin to blow... it's nasty out there but look at this... I've found a new bud, fresh, open and revealing just enough magic to indicate that a grand and colourful explosion is forthcoming... Larra's CD is her first statement and signature, and there's no question... it's her stuff and style" - Reiner Schwarz, JazzFM 91.1 FM
"It swings from the first note. Beautifully performed, recorded and mixed. Consummate musical conversations throughout with sultry, smoky and evocative vocal delivery sealing the deal." - Chicago musician, Don Conoscenti, currently on tour with Rounder Records artist Ellis Paul
Larra!! It was soooo nice to see you at Jose James!! You look so beautiful! Everytime i see you you look different but always beautiful :-D Stay sweet Larra, Sacha xx
Great looking new photos. How's jazz life? I finally got up to speed enough to start my own jazz trio here in Taos. We had a great debut last week. Miss ya. xoxo DonCon
Hi Larra, Honeslty I think your incredibly talented! Your vocal envokes a power and command over the person listening! Very soothing also! I love the music! I'm glad we have met! Much respect! Talk soon! :)
"MOON DAY LOVE::The Soulful After-Work Social" w/Dj Black Lotus & Sean Sax
Real Love. Real Soul. Real Friends... EVERY MONDAY @ China Doll!
Black Lotus Media, Soul On Ice & Fusicology present "MOON DAY LOVE::The Soulful After-Work Social", every Monday @ CHINA DOLL Bar & Lounge, 587 College St. W. (3 blks. W. of Bathurst).
Feel free to come after work from 8 pm. Arrive EARLY! Relax, dance and/or network. Get closer to that special someone, discover someone special and remember how special YOU are. Monday nites have never been better or sweeter!
This event is hosted by spoken word recording artist HAJILE KALAIKE and featuring music by DJ BLACK LOTUS & SEAN SAX w/special guests - spinning the best in: 70's classics, deep neosoul, jazzy hiphop, soulful house, lovers rock/dancehall.
DOORS 8 PM. COVER: FREE B4 11/PWYC AFTER ($5 suggested).
