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Lauren Henderson

"somewhere between a comforting whisper and a cogent declaration" -The New York Times

About Me

Jazz and Latin Jazz vocalist, Lauren Henderson, paints reflective and impassioned stories with her haunting voice and enchanting compositions.

Described as “somewhere between a comforting whisper and a cogent declaration” by The New York Times, Henderson's eclectic influences spread across genres producing a distinct yet versatile sound.

Henderson combines her passion for music, philanthropy, and business as the CEO of Brontosaurus Records and an internationally acclaimed recording artist. Recently featured in the Financial Times, Henderson's achievements are celebrated worldwide.

Her original music was recently featured in The Drowning, directed by Bette Gordon and starring Julia Stiles, Avan Jogia, Josh Charles and Tracie Thoms, as well as El Juego de Las Llaves, starring Ela Velden, Maite Perroni, and Marimar Vega.

Henderson's compositions navigate journeys imposed through the African Diaspora in connection to her Panamanian, Montserratian, and vast Caribbean roots as they interplay with her North American upbringing.

The recording artist, composer, and producer from Massachusetts broke the Jazz Week Charts - Top 40 for six consecutive weeks and the Year End Jazz Week Top 100 for 2018 and 2019.

Her recent release Alma Oscura (2019) climbed to the Jazz Week Charts - Top 25.

Lauren's music resonates with listeners in the US and abroad. Having completed well over 10 successful international tours, Henderson has performed in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Russia, Mexico and South Africa! As the Founder and CEO of Brontosaurus Records, Lauren Henderson graduated with her Executive Master of Business Administration from Brown University (RI) and the IE Business School (Madrid) in May of 2019.

Having earned degrees in both Music and Hispanic Studies, at Wheaton College (MA), Lauren continues to combine her love of music and culture. While living in Puebla, México she studied the traditional music of the Yucatán and popular music throughout the country at Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla. Through her international piano and voice studies, she worked on developing her musicianship. In Córdoba, España she studied flamenco and its similarities to jazz at La Universidad de Córdoba.

Henderson began study piano at an early age. She grew up singing in church and school choirs, as well as listening to jazz records her parents and grandparents played in the house. Timid as a young musician, she was always reluctant to sing solos, until given a gentle push by mentors shortly before heading to Wheaton College (MA) to receive her Bachelor of Arts. At Wheaton, she discovered her voice, becoming the Musical Director of VUJ, a member of Jazz Band, studying classical voice and musical theatre, as well as finding inspiration in her professors and master classes with artists like Paquito D’Rivera, Take6, and the legendary Barry Harris at the Barry Harris Workshop. In 2011 Henderson released her debut album, Lauren Henderson. It was recorded almost immediately upon her arrival in New York. Henderson recorded with close friend and musical partner, Sullivan Fortner (piano), along with Ben Leifer (bass), and Jesse Simpson (drums). Intended as a demo to break into New York’s competitive jazz scene, the work was shared with colleagues and fellow musicians and ultimately reviewed by various publications, including DownBeat Magazine, JazzTimes and All About Jazz. Her second release, A La Madrugada (2015), features Sullivan Fortner on piano, Ameen Saleem on bass, Louis Fouche on alto saxophone, Jonathan Powell on trumpet, Riley Mulherkar on trumpet, and Jeremy Bean Clemmons on drums and percussion. It landed in the JazzWeek Top 100 for over 3 consecutive weeks.

In March of 2018, Henderson released ÁRMAME under the direction of Grammy-Nominated Producer and Emmy- Winner, Mark Ruffin! This album will features Terri Lyne Carrington, Josh Evans, Godwin Louis, Sullivan Fortner, Eric Wheeler, Nick Tannura, Nanny Assis, and Joe Saylor.

Riptide (2018), Henderson's bold EP, features six original compositions she developed with Nick Tannura (guitar), Chris Pattishall (paino), Eric England (bass) and Joe Saylor (drums).

Alma Oscura (2019), Henderson’s fourth studio album is produced by Michael Thurber (Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, CDZA, The Royal Shakespeare Company). This album features original compositions that reflect the roster's jazz, Latin jazz, flamenco, folk and classical roots. Featured Artists include Leo Sidran, Joe Saylor, Tessa Lark, Michael Thurber, Sullivan Fortner, Charles Overton, Allan Mednard, Emi Ferguson, Jon Lampley and Mark Dover.

Lauren, Leo and Michael teamed up with the great flamenco singer and guitarist, Saúl Quirós, for a remix of the Henderson-Thurber original, Alma Oscura.

Stay tuned for the The Songbook Session featuring Sullivan Fortner, Eric Wheeler and Allan Mednard in April 2020.

All Henderson's music is available on iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Spotify and CDBaby!

My Jazz Story

@LaurenHendersonMusic