GUITARS: Epiphone Les Paul, Ephiphone semi-hollow "Dot", Fender Strat, Ibanez AEG1 One nylon electric, Martin D-35 acoustic, Don José cuatro, Ibanez Micro bass;
AMPS: Fender Frontman 212R, Fender Deluxe 112plus, Roland Jazz Chorus 90, Fender Sidekick 25, GK Backline 112;
EFFECTS: Boss Phase Shifter PH-3, Boss Digital Delay DD-3, Boss Distortion DS-1, Dunlop Jimi Hendrix JH-1 wah, MXR M-169 carbon copy analog delay
Influences
guitarists Ernest Ranglin, Earl Chinna Smith, Junior Marvin, Tuff Lion, George Benson, Oscar Castro-Neves, Teofilo Chantre, Wes Montgomery, Joe Pass, Grant Green, Kenny Burrell, John Scofield, B.B.King, Buddy Guy, Carlos Santana, Walter Becker, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Paige, Brian May.......personally Peter Goldsmith, Carolyn Castellano, Kate Finn, Renita Martin, Kera Washington, Ifé Franklin, Rajdulari, Greg Pearlman, Nancy Loedy, Debra Sarjeant, Charleston Sarjeant, Felix Fantasia
Sounds Like
conscious reggae, jazz, r&b, latin, afro-beat, neo-soul, funk, hip hop, rock
Laurie was trained as a classical pianist at an early age and later as a teenager taught herself to play guitar. She began playing music professionally in and around the Boston area in the late 80's when as a young performing songwriter she entered the contemporary folk scene in songwriting competitions, acoustic showcases and better known folk radio shows and Boston performance venues e.g. Passims and the Somerville Theater as a finalist at the 1993 Boston Songwriting Competition. During this time she released three albums of original material, including "Laurie Goldsmith", "After the Storm" and "Live n Kickin". She formed her backup band "The Rodeo Kids", toured with them to promote her third cd and received regular airplay on local radio, interviews and feature spotlights e.g. WERS, WGBH AND WUMB. Some of her songs were featured on "Acoustic Underground" on Oasis Records and other compilations featuring local and national songwriters. She also assisted other artists in the studio as a producer and session percussionist. Through this, Laurie also worked for many years as a full time clinical social worker, working with area youth and their families. In the early 90's, she traded in her acoustic guitar for an electric guitar, eager to expand her skills as an instrumentalist and to work in collaboration with other musicians. Over the next ten years, she played with a number of bands within a variety of genres, including "Voices From the River" (a gospel ensemble), "Jane's Bond" (a rock trio), "Sistahs of the Yam" (a r&b cover band), Zili Roots (a world music band, currently "Zili Misik"), and The Rajdulari Jazz Duo.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In 2003, Laurie felt the call to perform more frequently and went in search of a new project in which to join. With this opportunity for change, she embraced the genre of music that vibrated most fiercely in her heart: roots reggae. Still unsure of what her musical life would bring next, she forged into musical cyberspace and with grace in tow met musician and roots reggae lover Greg Pearlman from NH. Together they co-founded the 8 piece roots reggae band "Roots Nation" and steadily toured with them throughout New England until 2006. Roots Nation boasted a three piece horn section and three part vocal harmonies, singing originals and covers from the Studio One era of roots reggae. They shared the stage with such international acts as Steel Pulse, The Itals and The Meditations. During this time Laurie contributed several original songs and performed as lead and rhythm guitarist and lead and backup vocalist. Laurie also remained connected to her other life work with children and has worked as an early childhood educator for over 15 years as a lead teacher which includes teaching music and spanish to young children. Laurie has also written childrens songs and has co-recorded three albums of childrens music to help raise money for her school's scholarship fund. In 2006, Roots Nation took a hiatus and would eventually reform up in NH.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During this time, Laurie played with the Dis-n-Dat band
(www.myspace.com/disndatband) from 2006-2008. They released an 18 track album entitled Black Sheep" and toured New England and part time with UK reggae legend Pato Banton and Army from St Croix. They toured last summer with Pato Banton and Zema from Jamaica, as well as backing up Everton Blender and Turbulence at the 2008 Caribbean Seabreeze Festival in Long Beach, California.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laurie officially rejoined Roots Nation (www.myspace.com/rootsnationreggae) full time in December 2008. They are preparing to record their first studio album set for release in 2010. She also freelances part time with different projects including The JP Jazztet (www.myspace.com/jpjazztet) and Cape Verdean female vocalist Lutchinha and an all-female backup band. Laurie also writes and records beats and instrumental music on the side and recently added the electric bass guitar to her repetoire of instruments she uses in recording and performance.
The Slackers Booze Cruise Comes to Boston for the first time a week from Friday!!
Hop on a boat around Boston Harbor and party with us!
Click on the flyer to get your tickets, you won't want to miss it!
Friday June 26 21+
Boards 7:15, Departs 8pm Sharp, Returns 11pm $25
The Slackers
Destroy Babylon
Aboard the Mass Bay Lines MV New Boston Rowes Wharf (Behind the Boston Harbor Hotel)
Oh yes. I love those band members...so much detail and they never miss one. One love and it was so great to see you. Next event I am hosting is FRIDAY, MAY 15 again at Western Front
Hi Laurie. Thanks for the birthday shout out. How are ya? Hope to link soon. At least after the winter's over....I trying to survive it....Yes, I am surving it!! I actually can't stand the cold air.
Anyways, thanks again and hope to touch base for some music vibes soon.
