Laurie plays an acoustic cello that gets "plugged in." What non-classical cellist can resist the "classic electric guitar shredding" sound, the double bass pedal & the echo chamber now available through the magic of electronics -- for effect, only, of course, not a standard sound!
Laurie started playing the cello when she was eight years old. Raised in the central Pennsylvania area, she travelled around the world before returning home. She earned a Bachelor's of Music Performance degree from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, FL, and a Master's of Music Performance degree from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA. Following that (I think the heat got to her!), she played cello in a chamber ensemble on Maui for several years. That led her to Seattle, where she decided she needed an extended visit home. That was in 1990, and, well, she never went back to Seattle.
All that classical music education notwithstanding (sorry, Eleanor!), Laurie always loved the "other" kinds of music. Growing up in a large family, she heard all kinds of music played by her brothers & sisters. Even in romance, she was always finding singer/songwriters here & there, composers here & there, & rock musicians. It always, always, ended up back to jazz. Cello really does fit in all styles of music, not just the mellow stuff (although it really shines there!).
Eventually, upon landing back in PA, she met the Reese brothers, ... & began playing jazz. ... for a living. Honest! Well, she also plays folk, classical & originals whenever possible, & teaches private cello lessons ... a girl's gotta make a living!
While in Miami, Laurie worked in a jazz band called "Strings Attached." This band was a jazz rhythm section with a string quartet. Ira Sullivan performed with us regularly. We recorded an album, called, interestingly, Ira Sullivan & Strings Attached. It's now been re-mastered & transferred to CD & is available. (Just ask me).
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Tom Reese, a flutist & a composer, was working with his brother Kirk, as a jazz musician at a hotel. They were asked to get a cellist for a series of Christmas concerts. So, they found Laurie. & they began working together.
After the Christmas series ended, Tom & Laurie still wanted to work together. But between Tom's jazz background & Laurie's classical training (and silly refusal to improvise), they needed a place to meet musically -- Christmas music is one thing, but it only goes so far! Folk music was the "middle ground" that they could share.
The "folk" was pretty much traditional Irish, Scottish, & English tunes -- played on flute & cello (the duo is "MuZette"). A third piece, guitar/vocals, was added, & eventually drums, creating the band Wyndfall. Our vocalist/guitarist, Chris Laughery, brought traditional & original songs to the band. We've recorded as both entities, just ask!
Tom & Laurie both feel that staying true to your roots is important. The Reese Project (jazz) is the culminaton of years of playing jazz & writing new pieces. Formally begun in 1992, the band is flute, cello, guitar & drums (sometimes keyboards & ocassionally vocals). Jazz is full of endless possibilities & excitement, and the Reese Project works hard to stay fresh & musically captivating.
Tom & Laurie's classical interests led to Susquehanna, a wind & string quartet. Susquehanna's CD, "Conversations," won "Best Instrumental Album" in the Just Plain Folks 2002 Competition. It has originals by Tom & Laurie Reese, as well as arrangements of two folk songs sung by Chris Laughery.
Please visit www.wyndfallrecords.com for more info.
