Lorrie Rivers
Los Angeles, California, United States
Music
Press
"And speaking of Miss Rivers, we should also tell you that she's taken up residence at Art Bar on Thursday nights, helming a night of jazz numbers in full glitter and style. Rivers - who possesses what's easily one of the loveliest and most powerful singing voices in Columbia - croons, belts, and soothes in Art Bar's Blue Lady Lounge." - FreeTimes
Lorrie Rivers, a singer who has the kind of voice that can be found in dreams, will perform saucy and provocative jazz songs 9:30-11:30 p.m. every Thursday at Art Bar in the Blue Lady Lounge...Rivers looked elegant and daring in her first performance Nov. 15 during Vista Lights. Is there a more enchanting singer in Columbia? - The State Newspaper
To whom it may concern,
I have known Lorrie Rivers since 1992. She is an exceptionally talented singer and her career seems to be moving forward year by year.
Lorrie knows an extensive list of jazz standards. Her voice has a sultry quality that audiences love. She has built quite a following here in Columbia.
As the talent buyer for the Art Bar, I see many aspiring musicians and Lorrie bring a stage presence and energy to her performances that is rare in acts today. She can pull off any genre off jazz from the latin compositions of AC Jobim to belting it out with a big band.
I give Lorrie Rivers my highest recommendation as a jazz vocalist.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Marty Fort
Talent Buyer, Art Bar
President, Fort Productions, LLC
803-787-3909
- Marty Fort
Dear Jazz Lovers,
I’m writing on behalf of jazz singer Lorrie Rivers, who has brought a great deal to The Red Tub. She began singing here and has, in a very short time, built a following due to her beautiful voice and charismatic character.
Lorrie does a great job with the crowd…she really knows how to interact with them and even takes the time to go into the crowd and get to know the people out there. When onstage she makes them laugh and fall in love. Her music and her presence just captivates them. She always brings in a crowd here when our nights weren’t always so crowded.
I highly recommend Lorrie as a performer and would recommend to anyone that they book her in a second.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Marianne Parrish
Owner, Red Tub
803-233-9609
- Marianne Parrish
"One of the loveliest voices in Columbia is also one of the busiest. Whether rewinding the clock with jazz standards either on her own or as part of Crooners & Swooners or delving into trip-hop with her group Maya's Big Vermillion, Lorrie Rivers is a versatile vocalist whose latest work finds her writing her own modern-day jazz-infused tunes that would put Norah Jones to shame." - Free Times - Free Times
Discography
"Bewitched" EP - December 27, 2007
Photos
Bio
Lorrie Rivers has been said to have "the kind of voice found in dreams." Rivers, backed by a brilliant band and always dressed to the nines, is steeped in the jazz tradition, but is not afraid to embrace the music that moves her generation. At a show you can expect to laugh and fall in love.
Jazz singer Lorrie Rivers is a part of the Southeast's growing jazz scene and her experience is not limited to the south - she has performed in New York and is soon to make her debut in Toronto, Canada and Chicago. The Free Times says she is "One of the loveliest voices in Columbia...and Lorrie Rivers is a versatile vocalist whose latest work finds her writing her own modern-day jazz-infused tunes that would put Norah Jones to shame." The State Newspaper has described her as "a singer who has the kind of voice that can be found in dreams" and asks, "Is there a more enchanting singer in Columbia?" With a sturdy foundation of the stylings of Ella Fitzgerald, Billy Holiday, Sarah Vaughn and others, Lorrie has found her own voice in both jazz standards such as "My Funny Valentine" and "To Each His Own" in addition to more contemporary tunes like "Dance Me To The End of Love" by Leonard Cohen and "1234" by Feist. In addition, she's begun writing her own jazz songs, such as "The Day You Tied My Shoe." Blessed with a gorgeous, smoky voice, excellent pitch, and supple sense of time, Rivers is steeped in the jazz tradition, but is not afraid to embrace the music that moves her generation.
Whether performing in her duo or with her quartet, Lorrie enjoys playing with the audience. "Lorrie does a great job with the crowd-she really knows how to interact with them and even takes the time to go into the crowd and get to know the people out there. When onstage she makes them laugh and fall in love. Her music and her presence just captivates them," says Marianne Parrish, owner of The Red Tub. Costume is also a big part of Lorrie's performance. She's made it a focus and it brings even more to all the shows. Her attire has been described by The State Newspaper as "elegant and daring."
Lorrie was born and raised in North and South Carolina and received a vocal scholarship from UNC-Chapel Hill. She attended Vassar College, where she majored in Theater and sang with Vassar's Big Band Jazz group and performed in New York at several venues. She's been playing at many venues in Columbia, SC in the last few years such as The Art Bar, Gervais and Vine (Fine tapas dining and wine), Hunter Gatherer, Delaney's Speakeasy, and The Red Tub, in addition to private parties.
THE BAND
Duo: Lorries duo performances are usually with one of three different musicians - Don Russo, Mark Laughlin, and Reggie Sullivan.
Quartet/Quintet: Lorries quartet and quintet performances are typically with Don Russo, Mark Laughlin, Reggie Sullivan, and Ivan Edwards.
Don Russo - guitar and vocals
Don Russo performs regularly at Speakeasy and various other venues and private parties around the Columbia, SC area. His style is characterized by a smoothness in both voice and guitar with a spicy dash of upbeat fun songs such as You and Me and the Bottle Makes Three by the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies. He teaches guitar at both Musicians Supply and Star Music in Columbia and has three beautiful children.
Mark Laughlin - piano
Mark Laughlin holds the Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from the University of North Alabama, the Master of Music degree in piano pedagogy from the University of Memphis, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano pedagogy from the University of South Carolina-where he was the recipient of the coveted William H. Nolte Graduate Teaching Award, one of two winners in a university-wide competition, and received the Two Thumbs Up Award for teaching and mentoring students with disabilities. He has presented classical and jazz recitals, master classes, workshops, and research on local, state, national and international levels. Mark currently plays jazz every Thursday with Lorrie at the Art Bar.
Reggie Sullivan - bass
Reggie is originally from Greenville, SC and graduated from USC with a BM in Jazz Performance. He's performed with A-List musicians such as Wycliffe Gordon, Marion McPartland, Charles Branuhon, Chris Potter, Russell Malone, Skipp Pearson, Olivia Newton John, Eric Hargrove, Robert Gardnier, Fred Wesley (James Brown). In town you can catch him at Hunter Gatherer, Blue Martini, Speakeasy, and Diane's on Devine.
Ivan Edwards - percussion
Ivan Edwards
Band Members
Links
