Dana Lauren
Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Music
Press
"While it's difficult to compare her to anyone else, Dana Lauren sounds a bit like pop sensation Adele, but with the timeless stylings of Ella Fitzgerald. Lauren is an old soul with a youthful spirit, and her rich, fluid voice with its silky tone evokes memories of jazz greats of days gone by - with a hint of contemporary sound lurking somewhere underneath." - Hartford Magazine
"She don't push, don't pretend. She feels like a natural singer." - Arturo Sandoval - Miami Herald
"Lauren has her own style, but hints of Fitzgerald and Tormé can be heard in her phrasing, and especially her scatting. Young vocalists can often become trite by doing standards, but Lauren avoids that pitfall by including a few songs that haven't been done ad nauseam, helped by some fresh arrangements and superb performances by herself and her band" Woodrow Wilkins - AllAboutJazz
"At the age of 21, vocalist Dana Lauren has a command of her instrument that many professional singers twice her age would envy. Lauren has a voice that's one part Roberta Gambarini and one part Diana Krall, with a dash of soul thrown in to spice things up" - AllAboutJazz
DANA LAUREN/It's You or No One: Interesting young jazz vocal diva variation going on here. Lauren has well digested and understood the classics but she gives them a personal pomo stamp. With a load of downtown all stars stroking the pomo fire as well as unassailable ringers brought in to bottom it out for the snobs, Lauren resets the clock on cocktail hour. The genre and the style have just gotten a well deserved kick in the pants. Thanks, Dana. - Midwest Record
click link to read article - Hartford Advocate
click link to read review - A Hand in the Act Of Writing
Discography
"It's You Or No One" 2010
Joel Frahm - tenor sax
Manuel Valera - piano
Will Graefe - guitar
Luques Curtis - bass
Jake Goldbas - drums
Special Guest Christian McBride on bass
"Stairway to the Stars" 2007
Arturo Sandoval - trumpet
Felipe Lamoglia - tenor sax
Dave Siegel - piano
Chuck Bergerone - bass
John Yarling - drums
Photos
Bio
At 21, jazz vocalist Dana Lauren has already performed at some of the nations most prestigious jazz venues, recorded 2 albums and is about to complete her degree at Berklee College of Music on a full scholarship.
A chance meeting with Arturo Sandoval at the 2006 Newport Jazz Festival provided Dana with opportunities that any young performer could only dream about. In July 2007 Dana recorded a CD titled “Stairway to the Stars” produced by and featuring Mr. Sandoval in his Miami studio. Dana has had the honor of performing with Mr. Sandoval at the Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club in Miami, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Birdland, The Blue Note and Iridium in NYC and Sculler’s Jazz Club in Boston. She is always excited to have the opportunity to perform with Mr. Sandoval when her schedule permits.
In June 2008 the Dana Lauren Sextet was one of four groups chosen to participate in the JAS Summer Academy at the Aspen Jazz Festival. The Academy is the Nation’s only full scholarship summer jazz program and is led by bass player, Christian McBride.
Dana’s new CD “It’s You Or No One” was recorded at Avatar Studios in NYC and brings together a stellar group of musicians including Joel Frahm on tenor sax, Manuel Valera on piano, Will Graefe on guitar, Luques Curtis on bass and Jake Goldbas on drums. The extraordinary Christian McBride joined her for a bass/voice duo for one track as well. The CD is a collection of standards with fresh arrangements and classic swing.
Links