ARTIST PROFILE:
Lori Cotler's stunning rhythmic adeptness and genre-bending dexterity puts her in a class all her own among contemporary vocalists. Drawing from the highly sophisticated South Indian rare vocal art form known as Konnakol, she can execute with the human voice, vocal maneuvers which do not seem possible in their rhythmic speed and clarity — jazz chanteuse meets consummate rhythm vocalist meets, conquers and fuses the sound of the urban world.
This New York born talent is a fearless vocalist who can soar through complex rhythmic syncopations, then in half a moment flow into achingly tender velvet-toned melisma. Lori began traditional music training at age six and now holds a Bachelor Degree of Music from Berklee College of Music as well as a Masters Degree in Music Therapy from New York University.
She has been invited to present her unique approach to the voice at some of the most prestigious universities and organizations: The Julliard School, Mannes College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, Royal Academy of Music (Stockholm, Sweden), Berklee College of Music, New School University, Antioch University McGregor Program, SESC (São Paolo, Brazil), Out North (Anchorage, Alaska), Confederation House (Jerusalem, Israel) and The Academy — A Program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School and The Weill Music Institute.
Audiences planetwide have been stunned then entranced by her virtuosic sound and artistry. Thousands of viewers were captivated last year by video clips of Lori's rhythm singing. Hers was the first Konnakol video uploaded to that venue, creating major buzz and introducing viewers to a vocal style that many had probably never heard before.
In addition, Lori is active in the commercial music field, recording for film and TV utilizing her wide knowledge of composition and her vocal mastery. Recent vocal & visual work has been with distinguished multi-award winning composers Edward Bilous (Smack Music), Michelle Dibucci (Smack Music), Robert Miller (RMI-Stimmung), Leo Sidran (Amber Music) along with esteemed filmmakers, Bruce Ashley and Chuck Fishbein.
Lori regularly tours with four-time Grammy Award winning Master Percussionist
Glen Velez. Among her live performances, include radio concerts broadcast on Spanish National Radio 4 (Barcelona, Spain), Italian National Radio 3 (Rome, Italy) and National Public Radio.
Lori has had the great opportunity to perform and record with some of the most innovatve and virtuosic musicians of our time. Some of those collaborations include: Lew Soloff, Howard Levy, Sonny Fortune, Paul Giger, Enzo Rao, Eugene Friesen, Robert Een, Kenwood Dennard, Javier Paxariño, Julliard Axiom Ensemble and The Julliard Elecric Ensemble.
Prior to her becoming a full-time musician, Lori's expertise in the field of Music Therapy led her to work with such populations as Autism, adolescent/adult psychiatry, AIDS, brain injured, cerebral palsy, learning disabled, foster children and at-risk teens. From 2001-2006, Lori was a professor of Music Therapy at New School University, NYC.
Lori’s latest solo recordings are available as single downloads on the web. She’s also very excited about her most current work as co-producer and featured vocalist on the upcoming Glen Velez recording, 'Rhythms of the Chakras Vol. 2' to be released in both CD and digital format on the Sounds True label in 2008.
Finally, Lori actively lends her musical talents and passion for running to raise funds for charity organizations. Most recently she was invited to contribute her music to The Congo Square Project, a charity to to raise support for New Orleans' musicians in need. An avid runner and proud member of the New York Road Runners Club, Lori regularly races to support charities, notably the John W. Nick Foundation, Inc., where she ran the 2007 NYC Half-Marathon to raise funds and awareness of Male Breast Cancer. Lori is scheduled to run her first NYC Marathon in 2009, charity to be announced.
Written by: Carra Sleight
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