Laurie Krauz

Artist Information

Biography

Laurie Krauz thrills audiences with her award-winning, blues-influenced jazz vocals and her powerful emotional range. Blazing new musical territory, Laurie combines improvisational elements with the passion and sensuality found in other forms of music to create a unique, soulful jazz – “she creates a mood and weaves a musical story with every cell of her being.” Named one of the top 525 jazz vocalists of all time in a book by noted jazz critic, Scott Yanow, entitled "The Jazz Singers" (Backbeat Books 2008), Laurie released her first CD, "Catch Me If You Can" (LML Records) in 2001 to much critical acclaim.

Along with The Daryl Kojak Trio, "Catch Me If You Can" features jazz legend George Coleman on tenor sax and has been receiving accolades throughout the jazz world ("Jazz aficionados should welcome this impressive debut album from a singer who will certainly be making her mark on the jazz scene for years to come." – Michael Laprarie, JazzReview.com). "Catch Me If You Can" has enjoyed substantial national airplay (including featured airplay in New York on world-renowned WBGO) as well as forays into select international markets (including The Netherlands, Russia and Brazil).

Laurie has performed live with a number of jazz luminaries including George Coleman, Harold Mabern, Cameron Brown and Warren Vaché and has appeared at such legendary venues and events as JVC Jazz Festival, The Blue Note, Iridium and Birdland. Her work has received frequent rave reviews including "The New York Daily News" ("… the scat's meow." – W. Wong) and "Time Out Magazine" ("You won't believe your ears – this jazz singer's velvety voice is a wonder to behold." – H.S. Jolley). Live radio performances and interviews have included: "Jim Lowe & Friends" (syndicated nationally); David Kenney's "Everything Old Is New Again" (WBAI-FM, New York); and Jeff Duperon's "Straight Ahead" (WRTI, Philadelphia). Laurie has participated in a number of commercial projects including: a singing appearance on "The Cosby Show;" solo vocals on "Good Night Blue," a CD released by the Nickelodeon TV program "Blues Clues;" and various television and radio jingles and videos. In June 2000, her life was chronicled as the cover story for "Cabaret Scenes" Magazine ("Getting Off The Fast Track" by Peter Leavy).

Laurie Krauz' musical career began with piano lessons at the age of 5. When, several years later, her beloved teacher suddenly passed away, Laurie chose not to continue and did not return to music until many years later. In 1980, while working on Wall Street, Laurie took a singing course as a lark and her career indecision ceased – she had found her home in music. Three years later, after voice and music studies with Ellie Ellsworth (The Actor's Institute), Ron Panvini, Marianne Challis and Susan Slavin, Laurie became possibly the first bank officer to trade in her "key to the executive washroom" to perform in summer stock.

In 1986, having traveled the U.S. and Canada for several years in musical theatre, Laurie was cast in a four-part harmony swing ensemble and discovered the thrill of improvisation. She segued from musical theatre to her work as a jazz vocalist. Since then, she has expanded her musical studies with course work at New School University in New York City and private coachings. Over the years, her teachers have included Mark Murphy, Daryl Kojak, Carla White, Woody Mann, Stephen Tarshis and Jay Bianchi.

Laurie was honored in 2009 with a Back Stage Magazine Bistro Award for "Tapestry Rewoven" her thrilling, award-winning, re-imagining of the Carole King Classic,
"Tapestry."

In 2007, 2008 and 2009 Laurie was named best Female Jazz Vocalist by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC). She is a voting member of NARAS ("The Grammy Awards").

Instrumentation

Laurie Krauz vocals, most often Daryl Kojak on piano.

Depending upon the gig, the group adds bass, drums and as many additional instruments as is appropriate (sax, trumpet, guitar, backup vocals etc.).

Discography

Catch Me If You Can
Currently in pre-production for "Tapestry Rewoven"

Official Website

http://www.lauriekrauz.com

Links

• Tapestry Rewoven website

Audio

• Day Dream
  Listen   Download
• My Foolish Heart
  Listen   Download
• Ducksoup
  Listen   Download
• Sugar in My Bowl
  Listen   Download
• Birthday Blues
  Listen   Download
• So Many Stars
  Listen   Download

Video

Laurie Krauz & The Daryl Kojak Octet in Tapestry Rewoven at the Iridium.mp4

Laurie Krauz & The Daryl Kojak Octet in Tapestry Rewoven at The Metropolitan Room.mp4

Photo Gallery

Press

• Dave Nathan [+ Show ]
  

  “With an unusually pliant set of vocal chords, Laurie Krauz has a ball on her first album. The albu...“With an unusually pliant set of vocal chords, Laurie Krauz has a ball on her first album. The album’s kick off piece, the Ellington/Strayhorn masterpiece, “Day Dream,” sets the high standard for what’s to follow.... [S]he combines the best of cabaret and jazz singing. She has the respect for the lyrics one usually finds within cabaret as well as the ability to use her voice as an instrument, without over embellishing on the latter. This is a wonderful maiden album and will cause listeners to become impatient waiting for her next one.”

• Alan Bargebuhr [+ Show ]
  

  “...she immediately impresses with her ample vocal presence and poise.... This stands as an impress...“...she immediately impresses with her ample vocal presence and poise.... This stands as an impressive debut disc for Laurie Krauz.”

• Michael Laprarie [+ Show ]
  

  “Krauz possesses a voice of remarkable range and dynamics. She is also a talented improviser who ha...“Krauz possesses a voice of remarkable range and dynamics. She is also a talented improviser who has a remarkable understanding of the jazz language. She imitates a muted trumpet on Kojak’s original “Ducksoup” with a remarkable attention to not only the sound but also the phrasing and breath of a jazz instrumentalist. In contrast to current jazz singing sweetheart Diana Krall, Laurie Krauz is not an introspective or wispy balladeer. When she is ready, Krauz comes straight at you with both barrels blazing, her voice moving from a whisper to a joyous howl within the space of a bar. Jazz aficionados should welcome this impressive debut album from a singer who will certainly be making her mark on the jazz scene for years to come.”

• Scott Yanow [+ Show ]
  

  “Laurie Krauz is a bright new jazz singer with a strong and flexible voice, the ability to improvise...“Laurie Krauz is a bright new jazz singer with a strong and flexible voice, the ability to improvise at all tempos and a sensitive style that pays attention to the meaning of the words she interprets.” Four Stars.

• Wes Gillespie [+ Show ]
  

  “Catch Me If You Can” is a real Jazz Fan’s album. It has all the atmosphere and personality of sitti...“Catch Me If You Can” is a real Jazz Fan’s album. It has all the atmosphere and personality of sitting at a table ten feet away from the stage and soaking up the quite unique technique that Laurie conjures up for us.... [T]his explicit and improvised style is like a chef adding just the right amount of ingredients to taste but not to overwhelm the diner.”

• Time Out New York [+ Show ]
  

  “You won’t believe your ears – this jazz singer’s velvety voice is a wonder to behold.” (Critic’s P...“You won’t believe your ears – this jazz singer’s velvety voice is a wonder to behold.” (Critic’s Picks)

• Bob Agnew [+ Show ]
  

  “Laurie Krauz is an entertaining singer who is certain to leave her mark in the world of jazz singer...“Laurie Krauz is an entertaining singer who is certain to leave her mark in the world of jazz singers.”
  

• Rajene Hardeman [+ Show ]
  

  “A strikingly balanced performer, she can be audacious, mellow or tingly ... her voice and body work...“A strikingly balanced performer, she can be audacious, mellow or tingly ... her voice and body work as one instrument joining our ears to her breath and our eyes to her performance”

• David Kenney [+ Show ]
  

  “A versatile jazz vocalist who can be bright and breezy or hot and steamy. Her on air performance ... “A versatile jazz vocalist who can be bright and breezy or hot and steamy. Her on air performance started an in studio ‘heat wave.’”

• Lesley Alexander
  

  “... if a singer who can become an instrument of bebop is your thing, check out Laurie Krauz....”

• Les Spindle on "Tapestry Rewoven" [+ Show ]
  

  Recent Back Stage Bistro winner Laurie Krauz brought her latest cabaret vehicle, Tapestry Rewoven, ...Recent Back Stage Bistro winner Laurie Krauz brought her latest cabaret vehicle, Tapestry Rewoven, westward for a single performance at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on April 30. Her tribute to hall-of-fame singer Carole King provided a fitting salute to a great vocal artist, yet the King songs were freely interpreted by Krauz in her jazzy, individualistic style, providing a new spin on cherished material and a fine showcase for this dynamic performer.
  
  There's no need to elaborate on what was previously reviewed in Back Stage by David Finkle, but to put a Tinseltown perspective on this offering, Krauz’s heartfelt and intensely dramatic renditions of these evergreen tunes suggest that she is ready for her closeup—a tailor-made role in a gripping musical drama on stage or screen. But in the meantime, this captivating diva can croon the blues and exude joy with equal finesse as she gets right to the heart and soul of King’s venerable repertoire.
  
  With the aid of her superbly talented music director-accompanist Daryl Kojak as well as three fine local musicians and three wonderful local backup singers—who elicited first-rate results following a crash-rehearsal effort—Krauz smoothly made her way through such King soft-rock/pop classics as “Too Late Baby,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “You've Got a Friend.” A scat specialist who can project heartbreak, strength, vulnerability, and feminine grace within a single number, Krauz wowed the appreciative Wednesday night crowd. It felt like a serendipitous fusion of the turbulent 1970s and the challenging yet hopeful early-2000s. The songs are all from King’s Tapestry album, and the notion of revisiting the work of a fine artist in this manner proved a great one. Here’s hoping Krauz doesn’t stay away from our fair city too long. We could use more of that unmistakable New York moxie in our local entertainment spots.
  

• Cassie Newman on "Tapestry Rewoven" [+ Show ]
  

  Without a doubt, Krauz has the voice and the sensitivity to do justice to any of Carole King’s class...Without a doubt, Krauz has the voice and the sensitivity to do justice to any of Carole King’s classic songs.

• Ligia Fernandez on "Tapestry Rewoven" [+ Show ]
  

  From the moment the show began, the audience completely came on board for the ride. And what a ride ...From the moment the show began, the audience completely came on board for the ride. And what a ride it was.

• Jan Wallman on "Tapestry Rewoven" [+ Show ]
  

  Certainly a departure from the way the songs were originally presented, the jazz stylings of Krauz a...Certainly a departure from the way the songs were originally presented, the jazz stylings of Krauz and Kojak and the group were a perfectly natural progression, so seamlessly and imaginatively were the American Pop Idiom and the American Jazz Idiom combined in this respectful and highly satisfying amalgam of disparate styles. The audience ‘ate it with a spoon’ and showed their love and enthusiasm with a standing ovation, hoots and hollers.

• Elizabeth Ahlfors on "Tapestry Rewoven" [+ Show ]
  

  "Tapestry Rewoven" is a unique work of contemporary jazz.... Although it is not yet a CD, "Tapestry..."Tapestry Rewoven" is a unique work of contemporary jazz.... Although it is not yet a CD, "Tapestry Rewoven" promises to deliver its own stamp of 'classic.'

• David Finkle on "Tapestry Rewoven"
  

  ...... it could be a masterwork not unlike her idol's.

• Roy Sander on "Tapestry Rewoven" [+ Show ]
  

  Extraordinary work. Every element and every moment contribute unerringly to an unforgettable, quite ...Extraordinary work. Every element and every moment contribute unerringly to an unforgettable, quite remarkable whole.

Setlist

We have a large and broad repertoire of jazz and blues standards (and lesser know gems) in addition to some originals and can easily accomodate a week of shows.

Basic Requirements

Calendar