For the past 17 years, Lauren has been best known as a member of New York Voices. Always a goal of her musical pursuits, to use her voice and writing skills in challenging ways, she won the coveted spot with NYV in 1992. NYV is an extraordinary opportunity to work with 3 other exceptionally talented musicians. They are celebrating 20 years in the biz and a career that shares a Grammy Award with the Count Basie Orchestra on a live CD recorded in 1997, and one with Paquito D'Rivera on a CD they recorded in 2003; both on the MCG Label. The group continues to rise in it's notoriety as interesting commissions and gigs continue to come their way. You can find two of Lauren's original compositions on their most recent CD, A Day Like This. To learn more about NYV, go to www.newyorkvoices.com.
Before she sang those beefy charts, Lauren was writing and producing her own music. In 2000, she was signed by the legendary Phil Ramone. He put together a crack-shot team of producers to help Lauren launch her original solo CD entitled "Hardly Blinking." Frank Filipetti (James Taylor) gave the CD its rich, rootsy heartbeat while showcasing Lauren's voice and songs. Rob Mounsey brought a pop perspective, and closed the CD with a chamber piece orchestrated for piano, strings and oboe. The CD has a story to tell at every turn and lets the musical styles be the whim of Lauren and the song.
Lauren has just finished production on her follow-up CD titled, "Avalon." It melds more closely her love of the Jazz Standard and the Singer/Songwriter narrative. Both an extension of each other, her new songs speak of the current day events and woes, often depicting the immediate lives around her and posing them in relatable ways. The musical palate is hearty, yet not over produced. Lauren produced it with the singer/songwriter "whisperer," Ben Wittman. His chops go above and beyond as he plays drums, percussion, keyboards, arranges, records, mixes and makes a mean cup a joe - a mandatory requirement of a modern day producer. Talents such as Jonatha Brooke, Romero Lubambo, Donny McCaslin and Andy Ezrin make guest appearances. The CD will be released by E1 Entertainment in February 2010.
Lauren is also busy working with two new vocal groups, the first called Moss and the second JaLaLa. When Luciana Souza and Peter Eldridge (of New York Voices) were talking about creating a local voice collective, they put together a short list of five singers they would most like to collaborate and eat food with. The other members of the group are Kate McGarry and Theo Bleckmann. So began Moss. The music is defined most often individually, and tends to feature random voices in group or sparse ways. It was meant to be a sounding board for ideas, and soon found itself in the care of Sunnyside Records and in the studio October of 2007. The CD is comprised of originals from the members as well as covers. All five singers have full-fledged solo careers, so the CD is a chance to capture their ideas and book special engagements when time permits. "Moss" was released in April of 2008 to rave reviews. To read the feedback and learn more, go to Mossproduced.org.
JaLaLa comes out in July of 2009. Janis Siegel (of Manhattan Transfer) and Laurel Masse' (the original soprano in Man Tran) asked Lauren to join them in their group, previously known as Moxxie and began arranging music for shows down the road and in between touring schedules. Alas, a CD project came along first, Janis being the leader in producing a CD of Johnny Mercer songs for Dare Records. it quickly became a vehicle to launch the group and a lovely way to spend a few days in the studio with good friends and musicians.
Over the years Lauren has sung with Bobby McFerrin, Ornette Coleman, Kenny Rankin, Jonatha Brooke, Nancy Wilson and Donna Summer. Her range is part of the charm of her resume. Please contact Lauren if you'd like more info on the release of the new CD. You can buy Hardly Blinking at newyorkvoices.com.
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Hi, Lauren! Your music made me travel through the finest harmonies! You have a great, three times great voice, & I loved Ask Amelia. I enjoyed this mix between pop, jazz & clasical strings. Congratulations!! Take a look to my songs, specially "Revenir dans ta Vie", a BOSSA in French. Love, Cristian
Hello Lauren, thank you so much for adding me as a friend. You have such an amazing voice and I can't wait for your next CD in February! You are the nicest musician I know... Peace & Love Wolfram
Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, vol. 2 by various artists: George Kahumoku, Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku, Owana Salazar, Kawika Kahiapo, Jeff Peterson, Daniel Ho, Richard Ho'opi'i, Bobby Ingano, Kawika Kahiapo and Jeff Peterson
Thanks so much for the Add–and your friendship. We enjoyed your music very much. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. It's a pleasure having you among our friends! We've added two blogs about Umano, plus four more new compositions, making ten on our page. We hope you and your friends visit us and enjoy our music, too. We wake up every morning and play the music of the new MySpace friends who have arrived at our site during the night. It occurred to us that these friends (you are among them) are almost universally positive, whether they be novices or legends, and without regard to their station in life or the country they occupy. Although it's not an original thought, it also occurred to us that we couldn’t hold a verbal conversation with most of these friends, but we have bridged that gap by expressing our art honestly with each other. We all have been filling the world with our music and art, in the hope that our messages of love and human understanding will have an impact on the world at large. What a gift and what an opportunity we have received from this technology!
Ciao,Lauren Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy..and good life.. every day neal
We've all been working very hard this year on making the best Hawaiian music with our favorite artists. And here they are! Five new Hawaiian music releases for 2009.
Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Ho'ola I Ka Poli - iTunes
George Kahumoku, Jr., Dennis Kamakahi, Sonny Lim, Keoki Kahumoku, Owana Salazar, Kawika Kahiapo, Jeff Peterson, Daniel Ho, Richard Ho'opi'i and Bobby Ingano, Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, vol. 2 - iTunes
Lauren, You are among 4 of the warmest, kindest people I know. And - your songwriting kicks serious tail. I am so enjoying every song of yours that I can listen to.... Thank you for the week of kindness and for being a great pedagogical role model. All my best to you, Morgen
Greetings from the West Coast! Looking forward to learning from you in Bowling Green, ...see you there! Also, can't wait to hear JaLaLa,....I know it (the album) will be fantanstic.
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