Lainie Cooke profile picture

Lainie Cooke

"Put on planet earth to sing"

About Me

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I met my first microphone when I was three years old. It was love at first sight. I did my first radio show at six and television show at eleven. I became a band singer at the age of 14 and sang anywhere and everywhere in Minneapolis (where I was born and raised and went to school) til I left college to come to New York City. I fell in love with New York City when I was twelve. I was with my Mom and Dad - won a city wide talent contest: First prize - a trip to New York. And there on the corner of 46th & Broadway with the cars streaming by and the lights and flashing signs, I heard a voice in my head saying, "Well, you're home now." From that point on all I wanted was to be in New York City. After two years at the University of Minnesota, as a Theatre Arts major, I finally got to follow that voice. I thought Broadway. I thought clubs. Instead I got very lucky in the world of voiceovers. It was wonderful and something about me never wanted to go on the road. So I stayed in my wonderful adopted city, became a New Yorker and have enjoyed a very a successful career as a voiceover actor using my voice off-camera for Jean Nate, Asti Spumante, Ford, McDonald's, The Daily News, Gillette, Ideal Toys, etc. and Infommercials, Industrials, TV promos etc, etc. etc.In 2002, I finally, released my first CD, "Here's to Life" on the Harlemwood label thanks to my good friends Voza Rivers and Jamal Joseph. Cadence Magazine wrote, "An exciting and beautifully executed debut CD, from a singer who has been on the scene for some twenty years without making a record. Thankfully, she finally has, and it was well worth the wait."In the words of jazz journalist Harvey Siders, "Lainie can cook on the kind of quality standards she prefers-the Porter-Gershwin-Rodgers & Hart classics that challenge her dramatic bent for story-telling. She has an unerring ear for melodic invention, and an instinctive feel for time that allows her to take unusual rhythmic liberties. And her intonation is 'right on.'"I am currently on the National and Local Board of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and at the Convention last week was elected Recording Secretary for a two year term. In May of 06 I completed the Feldenkrais training and am now a certified Feldenkrais practitioner. I still work as a voceover actor and I continue to coach. Some say I am one of the best voiceover coaches in the country.And now I have completed my second CD. Should have the master by the end of January. My thanks to Tedd Firth, Cameron Brown, Matt Wilson, Joel Frahm, Roland Barber and Marvin Horne for their friendship and inspired playing. And to Katherine Miller for her extraordinary ability to hear. Really hear. Thanks to all of you for your support. Look for the new CD some time this Spring.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 8/9/2006
Band Website: lainiecooke.com
Band Members: Over the years I've worked with some amazing musicians: Tedd Firth, Cameron Brown, David Lahm, Matt Wilson, Roland Barber, Martin Wind, Joey Morant, Chris White, Karen Hammack, Tad Weed, Tom Garvin, Chris Connor, Paul Kreibich, Bob Maize, Dick Shreve, Frank Collett, Marvin Horne, Jim Ferguson, Nat Adderley, Jr., Vincent Herring, Matt Clohesy, Myron Walden, Joel Frahm, Jason Brown, and don't forget Paulette McWilliams - doesn't play a horn - but what a voice! Working with Paulette on White Black & Blues was joyful. And add to that list Peter Zak, Andy McCloud, Ratzo Harris, Matt Slocum and Jack LeCompte . Wow! What a list. All simply magnificent musicians. I've been soooo lucky. Here's the link to CDBaby for my CD "Here's to Life" which features some of them.

and here's a link to itunes so you can listen and just buy the ones you love. ..
Influences: I have been influenced by everyone from Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Carmen McRae (especially Carmen - I love Carmen), Etta Jones to Astrid Gilberto, Abbey Lincoln, Peggy Lee, Ivan Lins, Diane Schur, Diane Reeves and Rebecca Parris. I am impressed by younger singers - Dena De Rose, Tierney Sutton, Julia Dollison, Sara Gazarek, Roberta Gambarini to name a few. I am influenced by everyone and anyone who can sing a lyric with truth and conviction and the joy of life - corny as that sounds. I am influenced by the music of the so-called great American songbook and great players like Bill Evans, Hank Jones, Horace Silver, Oscar Peterson, George Shearing, The Modern Jazz Quartet, Stan Getz, Diz, and love the sounds of Cal Tjader, Tito Puente, Jobim, and Pacquito D'Rivera. I love big bands and small groups. I just love the sound of classic jazz, latin jazz, straight ahead and bebop and I am influenced and impressed by so many people I couldn't begin to name them all. You can also find out more about me on my other space at myspace - www.myspace.com/lainiecooke
Sounds Like: I've been told I sound like everyone from Chris Connor, June Christy, Anita O'Day to Ella. Hopefully, I've learned how to sound like me.
Record Label: Harlemwood -
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

New CD Its Always You reviewed in June, Jazz Improv Magazine

LAINIE COOKE  IT'S ALWAYS YOU Harlemwood Records, 253 W 138th Street, New York, NY 10030. It's Always You; Too Close For Comfort; The Very Thought of You; I Will Wait For You; Tuesdays in ...
Posted by Lainie Cooke on Sat, 31 May 2008 05:16:00 PST