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.
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Album Review
- Right Where I Belong by Michael P. Gladstone
- Right Where I Belong by Marcia Hillman
- Life Of The Music by Dan Bilawsky
- Life Of The Music by Bruce Lindsay
October 26, 2012
Lauren Hooker Quartet In Concert
August 22, 2007
Lauren Hooker Upcoming Appearances
June 28, 2007
Lauren Hooker Performing at Jerzey Jazz Girlz Series June 29th at 8 PM
May 14, 2007
Lauren Hooker at Red Restaurant & Lounge in Red Bank May 17
March 21, 2007
Lauren Hooker with Allen Farnham Friday, March 23rd at Lounge Zen
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