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Louise Alexandra (fka Van Aarsen)
Louise Van Aarsen, a Dutch-born, Boston-based jazz vocalist, has arrived on the scene with a whole album of fresh original songs and a unique voice.. JAMES GAVIN Music Biographer and author of "Stormy Weather: the Life of Lena Horne"
About Me
LOUISE VAN AARSEN,has had a passion for music, vocal jazz in
particular, since her teenage years. She'd hear and see the Jazz
Greats every summer at North sea Jazz Festival, then hosted in her
home town of The Hague. She moved to Boston with a Ph.D. in cancer
biology to further cancer therapies. In parallel, she has continually
pursued opportunities to perform in venues featuring jazz and musical
theatre, both in the Netherlands and the U.S.
Over the past few years, she started writing her own melodies and
lyrics; poignant stories and memorable compositions with a unique
‘jazz standard-esque’ flavor. In a wonderful co-production with her
mentor and Boston's Celebrated Lady of Jazz, Rebecca Parris, this work
has culminated in 14 original songs that were recently recorded with
some of Boston’s finest jazz musicians.
Louise's songs tell moving stories, ranging from the heartbreaking
account of her mother's loss of memory by Alzheimers captured in a
beautiful tango-style melody (Remember), to the inspiring jazz waltz
Someone that breathes the joyful hope for a significant love, or the
fusion-funky tune Lately that reflects on the fleeting of time. In
between the tender jazz ballad written for Estelle, the title song
Destiny which tells the story of the love that founded her family,
and the danceable latin pop tune Miss You Till I See You, she even
paired up with (the heritage of) Franz Liszt to weave his immortal
Liebestraum melody into a hauntingly touching ode to lost parents,
in the classically inclined Dream of Love. And that covers only half
of the story!
All of Louise's songs are clearly and utterly personal yet universal
in their appeal. The person that you meet face-to-face, is the same on
stage or in the tender and passionate lyrics of her first album, and
destined to touch your heart.
THE DESTINY BAND's incredible lineup includes: Pianists Doug Hammer,
Russ Hoffmann, and Paul McWilliams, together with Claudio Ragazzi
(guitar), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), Mike Turk (harmonica), Arnie
Krakowsky (tenor sax), Jim Lattini (drums), and Mike Ringquist
(percussion). A number of songs feature a string section (beautifully
arranged by Claudio Ragazzi), featuring Eugene Friesen and members of
his Berklee World Strings, who add exquisite icing to the delicious
musical cake. Last but not least, Rebecca Parris also lends her grand
voice to a few of these special new songs.
ARRANGEMENTS:
Louise Van Aarsen
Doug Hammer
Rebecca Parris
Ton Scheer
Russ Hoffmann
Claudio Ragazzi (strings)
Instrumentation
Louise Van Aarsen - Lead and Harmony Vocals
Rebecca Parris - Vocals and Background Vocals
Ted Davis - Vocal on Forever
Claudio Ragazzi - guitars
Oscar Stagnaro - Electric Bass
Peter Kontrimas - Acoustic bass
Paul McWilliams - Piano
Doug Hammer - Piano
Russ Hoffmann - Piano and Fender Rhodes
James Lattini - Drums
Mike Turk - Harmonica
Arnie Krakowsky - Sax
Mike Ringquist - Percussion
Eugene Friesen - Cello
Maria Kowalski - Violin
Echae Kang - Violin
Rika Ikeda - Violin
Drew Ricciardi - Viola
Discography- Destiny, released May 8 2012. Recorded, mixed and
mastered by Peter Kontrimas, PBS Studios, Westwood, MA - Released May
2012
Reviews
Ken Franckling (Jazz Journalist , Jazz Blogger at Jazz Notes and
freelance contributor to JazzTimes, Hothouse, and Jazziz) writes:
This jazz newcomer is a breath of fresh air....most intriguing is her
lack of interest (bravo!) in covering the rather boring standard fare
that become a trap for so many developing singers. In actuality, she
was a prolific songwriter who evolved into a singer as well. Van
Aarsen wrote, or in a couple of instances co-wrote, the music and/or
the lyrics for all 14 tunes here. The concept was to present something
very personal in meaning – and she has done that exquisitely. Each is
a take on a different aspect of love and relationships. Rebecca Parris
produced this session, which is another solid ring of endorsement for
Van Aarsen