Lauren Hooker

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. Lauren is not just another singer, she is a consummate musician, known throughout the NY metropolitan area as a multi-talented vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, lyricist, educator, producer and storyteller.

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.

Her critically acclaimed CD (Awarded Honorable Mention as one of AllAboutJazz-New York's selected Best CDs in ‘07) was 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. It 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, WRSU 88.7 FM out of Rutgers University, as well as WMSU at Montclair Sate University, Lauren's CD continues to receive heavy airplay on both radio and internet stations here and abroad.

She came onto the jazz scene with a degree in Music Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University where he father served as Professor of Music and Fine Arts Chairman and continued post-graduate work in jazz theory with pianist Kenny Barron at Rutgers University, jazz voice with Sheila Jordan at Manhattan School of Music and Bobby McFerrin at The Omega Institute.

Lauren is featured in many venues in New York City including Enzo’s Jazz Room at the Jolly Madison Hotel, Smoke Jazz and Supper Club, and The International Women in Jazz Festival, 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”, “Night Owls” and most recently on Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT) filmed live at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Brooklyn Sings, Brooklyn Swings series.

A former music teacher at the acclaimed Bank Street School in NYC, Lauren is dedicated to the education of young and old alike, performing regularly in her Arts in Education Company, Musical Legends

Awards

Awarded Honorable Mention as one of AllAboutJazz-New York's selected Best CDs in ‘07

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Tags

Lauren Hooker Vocalist

Album Review

Life Of The Music by Bruce Lindsay
Life Of The Music by Dan Bilawsky
Right Where I Belong by Marcia Hillman
Right Where I Belong by Michael P. Gladstone

Primary Instrument

Voice / vocals

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Teaches piano - beginners - intermediate - specializes in teaching vocalists how to use piano as a tool - to learn tunes - write charts - find keys - write arrangements, etc.

Clinic/Workshop Information

Primary Instrument

Voice / vocals

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

Teaches piano - beginners - intermediate - specializes in teaching vocalists how to use piano as a tool - to learn tunes - write charts - find keys - write arrangements, etc.

Clinic/Workshop Information

Musical Legends Presents “Jazz 4 Kids” An Interactive, Educational, Musical Experience for all Ages Explore the jazz legends of the world with Musical Legends interactive, educational program: “Jazz 4 Kids”. Together, with world renowned jazz musicians and vocalist/educator Lauren Hooker, the ensemble leads the audience through the origins of jazz, beginning the journey with a participatory African “Call and Response” song and translating it into singing a “Twelve Bar Blues”, a “Swing” tune, and a “Bee-Bop” and “Modern Jazz” composition. Children are exposed to jazz legends Cab Calloway, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis while participating in “Jazz Etiquette” and “Trading Fours”. The audience becomes the instruments in a “Jazz Trio” and experiences the freedom of improvisational scat singing. It’s fun! It’s educational! It’s exciting! A wonderful program that explores one of America’s truest art forms. Pre-K – 12th Grade: 45 Minute Program: $800   THE MUSICANS/EDUCATORS: LAUREN HOOKER, Musical Legends Artistic Director, 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. Lauren, whose critically acclaimed CD was awarded Honorable Mention as one of AllAboutJazz-New York's selected Best CDs in ’07, is not just another singer, she is a consummate musician, known throughout the NY metropolitan area as a multi-talented and sophisticated vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, lyricist, educator, producer and storyteller. Formerly a music teacher at the acclaimed Bank Street School for Children in Manhattan, she currently teaches piano privately and group lessons at Hamilton Park Montessori in Jersey City. Pianist ALLEN FARNHAM attended Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin, Ohio with degrees in Classical Piano and Jazz Studies. In 1983, Farnham moved to New York City, working in area jazz spots, as well as teaching, composing and arranging. In 1988, he joined the staff of Concord Records, as a producer and director of Radio Promotion. In 1989, Farnham received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which funded the recording of his first album, "Fifth House" and continues to record extensively for Concord both as a sideman and leader. His most recent album, "Allen Farnham Meets the RIAS Big Band" (Concord 4789) features Farnham's original compositions and arrangements for 17 piece big band performed by the renowned Berlin Radio RIAS Big Band. He presently continues to freelance in New York City, including on Broadway with the Lion King, as well as touring internationally as a solo artist or member of drummer Jae Sinnett's trio. VINCE ECTOR, percussionist and educator, hails from the musical city of Philadelphia where he attended the University of Pennsylvania. He was trained in music beginning at age nine through GAMP, a music magnet school in Philadelphia and Temple University while still a junior high school student. He then began studying privately, as well as performing for six years as a percussionist with the United States Army Band. As a performer, Vince has worked with such jazz luminaries as Freddie Hubbard, Gloria Lynne, Charles Earland, Ted Curson, George Cables, and Grover Washington Jr. to name a few. He is featured on over 40 International musical recordings and performs regularly at jazz festivals around the world. He has also performed on numerous network television programs in the U.S. and abroad, including appearing as a musician on ABC television's "One Life to Live" daytime soap opera. Mr. Ector is a sought after teaching artist in the NYC, NJ and Connecticut public school system providing workshops, performances and professional development, which includes populations with special needs. He has been featured as a Clinician at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Rutgers University and Lincoln University. He is also a sought after Artist-in- Residence for other organizations such as; The Manhattan New Music Project and Arts Horizons Inc. of Englewood, New Jersey. Most recently, Mr. Ector was a featured teaching artist in the 2001 Harcourt/Brace Media Literacy Video Series, which will be distributed nationally. Always striving, always learning, he currently attends William Paterson University for music performance. BELDEN BULLOCK is an accomplished acoustic/electric bassist who hails from his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts where he has played and recorded with many of the top acts in the area. He is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, and spent several years teaching at Berklee after graduation as an ensemble professor. Since moving to New York in 1988, Mr. Bullock has become a regular fixture at most of the top clubs throughout the tri-state area. In the early 1990's, he played exclusive engagements with such jazz greats as pianist Ahmad Jamal, pianist Andrew Hill, saxophonist James Spaulding, and the late tenor saxophonist George Adams. Belden currently plays regularly with such artists as Enja recording artist Abdullah Ibrahim, Evidence recording artist the Ralph Peterson Fo'tet, Black Saint recording artist The Oliver Lake Quintet, and Muse recording artist The Jay Hoggard group. During his career, he has performed with the following prominent jazz artists: drummer Roy Haynes, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, vocalist Gloria Lynn, and trumpeter Ted Curson. Mr. Bullock continues to perform with many of the top musicians in the New York City area.

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