Lauren Hooker

AWARDED HONORABLE MENTION AS ONE OF AllAboutJazz-New York's SELECTED BEST CDs IN 2007.Lauren Hooker helps to continue the tradition of great jazz singing. Critics from across the nation have compared her sound and style to that of Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Shirley Horn and Sheila Jordan; her lyric writing to Jon Hendricks' and her songwriting as some of the best in the business.She is not just a singer, she is a consummate musician, known throughout the NY metropolitan area as a sophisticated vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, lyricist, educator, producer and storyteller.Her critically acclaimed CD produced by Rufus Reid and Allen Farnham entitled "Right Where I Belong",with Rufus Reid on bass, Allen Farnham on piano and Tim Horner on drums, features jazz standards, her original compositions, and credits that include lyrics written to Thelonius Monk, Charles Mingus, Wayne Shorter, Fats Waller and Mal Waldron.Within the third week of radio airplay, Lauren was at the top of the “chartbound” list of jazz CD’s played across the nation and in Canada according to jazzweek.com. A featured guest on WKCR's "Jazz Alternatives" 89.9 FM with Host Sharif Abdus Salaam, and WRSU 88.7 FM out of Rutgers University, Lauren's CD continues to receive heavy airplay on both radio and internet stations here and abroad.Out of a flood of rave reviews, JAZZ TIMES writes, ... undeniably impressive… certainly imaginative… can hold her own against pretty much any singer-songwriter in the business… ability to add lyrics to instrumental classics… is flat-out masterful… ; JAZZ IMPROV NY says … a skilled scatter, talented lyricist and songwriter…intriguing, impressive…; ALL ABOUT JAZZ LA states, Here's a vocalist that is going to knock you off your chair… hits a double off the wall… her voice - rich, confident and assured - like Dianne Reeves, pitch perfect and ALL ABOUT JAZZ NY writes, "Hooker shows off her multi-faceted talent.. plays with time the way Monk did, would have made (Fats) Waller chuckle with delight...reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan’s bottom range...hint of Dinah Washington’s energy… but sound and style are unique.She came onto the jazz scene with a degree in Music Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University and continued post-graduate work in jazz theory with pianist Kenny Barron at Rutgers University, voice with Sheila Jordan at Manhattan School of Music and most recently, a vocal workshop with Bobby McFerrin.Lauren is featured in many major venues in the New York metropolitan area including Smoke Jazz and Supper Club, Enzo’s Jazz Room at the Jolly Madison Hotel and The International Women in Jazz Festival in New York City, and in New Jersey at the Barron Art Center, Trumpets and The Summer Jazz Café Series at The Two Rivers Theater. She has performed and/or recorded with some of the best in the business including Vic Juris, Steve Nelson, Bucky Pizzarelli and Reggie Workman to name a few and recorded with legendary pianist Mal Waldron (Billie Holiday's former pianist), singing her original lyrics set to one of Mal's compositions. She has appeared on a variety of television shows including "Broadway to Business", "For Arts Sake", "Life of the Music" and “Night Owls”.Lauren also performs regularly in her Arts in Education Company: Musical Legends, turning kids onto jazz and African and Native American cultures with her shows "Jazz 4 Kids", "Rainbow Crow" and "The Fire Children". (www.musicallegends.biz)"I was born into music ... as early as in the womb (kicking to the beat - my mother tells me)... hearing my dad jam with his fellow musicians in the basement ... starting piano lessons at age four ... meeting Bill Evans at the Vanguard whom my father recorded with in college ... being exposed to and singing most of the major classical oratorios with full orchestra ...shaking hands with Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck whose sacred works the New Jersey Schola Cantorum, (my dad's chorus) performed...reaching for Sarah Vaughan's range, Ella's scat, Miles Davis' tone and Coltrane's intention. I was not only encouraged, but expected to be a musician, and a well-rounded one at that ... one who could play, sing, compose, arrange and educate."PERFORMED AND/OR RECORDED WITH:John Bianculli, Ted Branchato, Belden Bullock, Rahn Burton, Michael Cochrane, Roy Cumming, Loren Daniels, Glenn Davis, Santi Debriano, Dena DeRose, Bob Devos, John DiMartino, Leon Dorsey, Vince Ector, Allen Farnham, Pat Firth, Mac Goldsberry, John Hart, Freddie Hendrix, Calvin Hill, Tim Horner, Bertha Hope, Chip Jackson, Vic Juris, Dave Kikoski, Andy McCloud, Cecil McBee, Maryanne McSweeney, Gary Mazaroppi, Paul Meyers, Allison Miller, Bill Moring, Steve Nelson, Tomoko Ohno, Rufus Reid, Ed Schuller, Warren Smith, Christopher Dean Sullivan, Frederick Waites, Mal Waldron, Bobby Watson and Reggie WorkmanFor Bookings contact: Musical Legends (201) 801-0527 For more information: www.laurenhooker.com National Press Campaign: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services (845) 986-1677 Distributed by: North Country Distributors (315) 287-2852 www.cdbaby.com/cd/laurenhooker www.amazon.com