Primary Instrument: Vocal
Lauren Hooker helps to continue the tradition of great jazz singing. Critics from across the nation have compared her sound and style to that of Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Shirley Horn and Sheila Jordan; her lyric writing to Jon Hendricks’ and her songwriting as some of the best in the business. Lauren is not just another singer, she is a consummate musician, known throughout the NY metropolitan area as a multi-talented vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, lyricist, educator, producer and storyteller.
Out of a flood of rave reviews, JAZZ TIMES writes, ... undeniably impressive… certainly imaginative… can hold her own against pretty much any singer- songwriter in the business… ability to add lyrics to instrumental classics… is flat-out masterful… ; JAZZ IMPROV NY says … a skilled scatter, talented lyricist and songwriter…intriguing, impressive…; ALL ABOUT JAZZ LA states, Here's a vocalist that is going to knock you off your chair… hits a double off the wall… her voice - rich, confident and assured - like Dianne Reeves, pitch perfect and ALL ABOUT JAZZ NY writes, “Hooker shows off her multi-faceted talent.. plays with time the way Monk did, would have made (Fats) Waller chuckle with delight...reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan’s bottom range...hint of Dinah Washington’s energy… but sound and style are unique.
Her critically acclaimed CD (Awarded Honorable Mention as one of AllAboutJazz-New York's selected Best CDs in ‘07) was produced by Rufus Reid and Allen Farnham entitled “Right Where I Belong”, with Rufus Reid on bass, Allen Farnham on piano and Tim Horner on drums. It features jazz standards, her original compositions, and credits that include lyrics written to Thelonius Monk, Charles Mingus, Wayne Shorter, Fats Waller and Mal Waldron.
Within the third week of radio airplay, Lauren was at the top of the “chartbound” list of jazz CD’s played across the nation and in Canada according to jazzweek.com. A featured guest on WKCR's “Jazz Alternatives” 89.9 FM with Host Sharif Abdus Salaam, WRSU 88.7 FM out of Rutgers University, as well as WMSU at Montclair Sate University, Lauren's CD continues to receive heavy airplay on both radio and internet stations here and abroad.
She came onto the jazz scene with a degree in Music Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University where he father served as Professor of Music and Fine Arts Chairman and continued post-graduate work in jazz theory with pianist Kenny Barron at Rutgers University, jazz voice with Sheila Jordan at Manhattan School of Music and Bobby McFerrin at The Omega Institute.
Lauren is featured in many venues in New York City including Enzo’s Jazz Room at the Jolly Madison Hotel, Smoke Jazz and Supper Club, and The International Women in Jazz Festival, and in New Jersey at the Barron Art Center, Trumpets and The Summer Jazz Café Series at The Two Rivers Theater. She has performed and/or recorded with some of the best in the business including Vic Juris, Steve Nelson, Bucky Pizzarelli and Reggie Workman to name a few and recorded with legendary pianist Mal Waldron (Billie Holiday's former pianist), singing her original lyrics set to one of Mal's compositions. She has appeared on a variety of television shows including “Broadway to Business”, “For Arts Sake”, “Life of the Music”, “Night Owls” and most recently on Brooklyn Community Access Television (BCAT) filmed live at the Brooklyn Public Library’s Brooklyn Sings, Brooklyn Swings series.
A former music teacher at the acclaimed Bank Street School in NYC, Lauren is dedicated to the education of young and old alike, performing regularly in her Arts in Education Company, Musical Legends ” including an interactive exploration called “Jazz for Kids”, conducts jazz vocal workshops, teaches music in the schools and piano pirivately in her home studio. She performs regularly as a vocalist/pianist at the new UltraBar on Tuesday nights here in Teaneck and at Onieal’s Grand Street in NYC on Wednesday evenings.
Awards:
Awarded Honorable Mention as one of AllAboutJazz-New York's selected Best
CDs in ‘07
Last Updated: December 7, 2010
Out of a flood of rave reviews, JAZZ TIMES writes, ... undeniably impressive…
certainly imaginative… can hold her own against pretty much any singer-
songwriter in the business… ability to add lyrics to instrumental classics… is
flat-out masterful… ; JAZZ IMPROV NY says … a skilled scatter, talented
lyricist and songwriter…intriguing, impressive…; ALL ABOUT JAZZ LA states,
Here's a vocalist that is going to knock you off your chair… hits a double off
the wall… her voice - rich, confident and assured - like Dianne Reeves, pitch
perfect and ALL ABOUT JAZZ NY writes, “Hooker shows off her multi-faceted
talent.. plays with time the way Monk did, would have made (Fats) Waller
chuckle with delight...reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan’s bottom range...hint of
Dinah Washington’s energy… but sound and style are unique.
Lauren Hooker
Right Where I Belong
Musical Legends
2007
1- Right Where I Belong (Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child) (4:43)
(Additional lyrics and arrangement by L. Hooker). (Shawnee Press Inc.) (ASCAP)
2- You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To (3:37) (Music and lyrics by Cole
Porter). Alfred Publishing (ASCAP). Arranged by L. Hooker.
3- Goodbye Pork Pie (Goodbye Porkpie Hat) (6:20) (Inst. version by Charles
Mingus. Jazz Workshop, Inc.) (BMI) New vocal version “Goodbye Pork Pie” and
arrangement by L. Hooker.
4- The Eyes of Chaz (5:14) (Music, lyrics and arrangement by L. Hooker) L's
Jazz Pub Co (ASCAP).
5- The Other Side of the Sun (5:26) (Music and lyrics by L. Hooker) L's Jazz
Pub Co (ASCAP) *Vocals: Lauren Hooker, Piano: Allen Farnham. Arranged by L.
Hooker and A. Farnham.
6- You Needn’t Call Me (Well You Needn’t) (4:59) (Instrumental version by
Thelonius Monk. Regent Music Corporation.) (ASCAP) New vocal version and
arrangement by L. Hooker.
7- Time and Space (4:54) (Music, lyrics and arrangement by L. Hooker) L's
Jazz Pub Co. (ASCAP).
8- Seagulls (Seagulls of Kristiansund) (3:10) (Instrumental version by Mal
Waldron. European New Jazz Musik GmbH.) New vocal version and
arrangement by L. Hooker. *Vocals and Piano: L. Hooker, Synthesizer: Allen
Farnham.
9- Lovebug Jitters (Jitterbug Waltz) (3:45) (Instrumental Version) by Thomas
“Fats” Waller. (c) 1942 (Renewed) Chappell & Co. All Rights reserved. (ASCAP)
New vocal version, “Lovebug Jitters” and arrangement by L. Hooker.
10- No Goodbyes (4:45) (Music, lyrics and arrangement by L. Hooker) L's Jazz
Pub Co (ASCAP).
11-Footprints On My Soul (Footprints) (5:55) (Written by Wayne Shorter.
Published by Irving Music, Inc./Miyako Music) (BMI). Lyrics written by L.
Hooker.
12- Ill Wind/Creole Love Call (7:34) (Harold Arlen/ Ted Koehler SA Music
Co/Ted Koehler Music Co c/o Bughouse) (ASCAP) (Edward Kennedy Ellington
(Duke Ellington) Famous Music LLC) (ASCAP) Arranged by L. Hooker/A.
Farnham.
Lauren Hooker, vocals * Allen Farnham, piano
Rufus Reid, bass * Tim Horner, drums and percussion
Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.
Primary Instrument:
Vocal
Location:
Teaneck, NJ
Willing to teach:
Intermediate to advanced students
Credentials/Background:
Teaches piano - beginners - intermediate - specializes in teaching vocalists how
to use piano as a tool - to learn tunes - write charts - find keys - write
arrangements, etc.
Clinic/Workshop Information:
Musical Legends Presents
“Jazz 4 Kids”
An Interactive, Educational, Musical Experience for all Ages
Explore the jazz legends of the world with Musical Legends interactive,
educational program: “Jazz 4 Kids”.
Together, with world renowned jazz musicians and vocalist/educator Lauren
Hooker, the ensemble leads the audience through the origins of jazz,
beginning the journey with a participatory African “Call and Response” song
and translating it into singing a “Twelve Bar Blues”, a “Swing” tune, and a
“Bee-Bop” and “Modern Jazz” composition.
Children are exposed to jazz legends Cab Calloway, Charlie Parker, Duke
Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis while participating in “Jazz
Etiquette” and “Trading Fours”. The audience becomes the instruments in a
“Jazz Trio” and experiences the freedom of improvisational scat singing.
It’s fun! It’s educational! It’s exciting!
A wonderful program that explores one of America’s truest art forms.
Pre-K – 12th Grade: 45 Minute Program: $800
THE MUSICANS/EDUCATORS:
LAUREN HOOKER, Musical Legends Artistic Director, helps to continue the
tradition of great jazz singing. Critics from across the nation have compared
her sound and style to that of Dianne Reeves, Nancy Wilson, Sarah Vaughan,
Dinah Washington, Shirley Horn and Sheila Jordan; her lyric writing to Jon
Hendricks’ and her songwriting as some of the best in the business. Lauren,
whose critically acclaimed CD was awarded Honorable Mention as one of
AllAboutJazz-New York's selected Best CDs in ’07, is not just another singer,
she is a consummate musician, known throughout the NY metropolitan area
as a multi-talented and sophisticated vocalist, instrumentalist, composer,
lyricist, educator, producer and storyteller. Formerly a music teacher at the
acclaimed Bank Street School for Children in Manhattan, she currently teaches
piano privately and group lessons at Hamilton Park Montessori in Jersey City.
Pianist ALLEN FARNHAM attended Oberlin Conservatory of Music in Oberlin,
Ohio with degrees in Classical Piano and Jazz Studies. In 1983, Farnham
moved to New York City, working in area jazz spots, as well as teaching,
composing and arranging. In 1988, he joined the staff of Concord Records, as
a producer and director of Radio Promotion. In 1989, Farnham received a
grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which funded the recording
of his first album, "Fifth House" and continues to record extensively for
Concord both as a sideman and leader. His most recent album, "Allen
Farnham Meets the RIAS Big Band" (Concord 4789) features Farnham's
original compositions and arrangements for 17 piece big band performed by
the renowned Berlin Radio RIAS Big Band. He presently continues to freelance
in New York City, including on Broadway with the Lion King, as well as touring
internationally as a solo artist or member of drummer Jae Sinnett's trio.
VINCE ECTOR, percussionist and educator, hails from the musical city of
Philadelphia where he attended the University of Pennsylvania. He was trained
in music beginning at age nine through GAMP, a music magnet school in
Philadelphia and Temple University while still a junior high school student. He
then began studying privately, as well as performing for six years as a
percussionist with the United States Army Band. As a performer, Vince has
worked with such jazz luminaries as Freddie Hubbard, Gloria Lynne, Charles
Earland, Ted Curson, George Cables, and Grover Washington Jr. to name a
few. He is featured on over 40 International musical recordings and performs
regularly at jazz festivals around the world. He has also performed on
numerous network television programs in the U.S. and abroad, including
appearing as a musician on ABC television's "One Life to Live" daytime soap
opera. Mr. Ector is a sought after teaching artist in the NYC, NJ and
Connecticut public school system providing workshops, performances and
professional development, which includes populations with special needs. He
has been featured as a Clinician at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia,
Rutgers University and Lincoln University. He is also a sought after Artist-in-
Residence for other organizations such as; The Manhattan New Music Project
and Arts Horizons Inc. of Englewood, New Jersey. Most recently, Mr. Ector was
a featured teaching artist in the 2001 Harcourt/Brace Media Literacy Video
Series, which will be distributed nationally. Always striving, always learning,
he currently attends William Paterson University for music performance.
BELDEN BULLOCK is an accomplished acoustic/electric bassist who hails from
his hometown of Boston, Massachusetts where he has played and recorded
with many of the top acts in the area. He is a graduate of the Berklee College
of Music, and spent several years teaching at Berklee after graduation as an
ensemble professor. Since moving to New York in 1988, Mr. Bullock has
become a regular fixture at most of the top clubs throughout the tri-state
area. In the early 1990's, he played exclusive engagements with such jazz
greats as pianist Ahmad Jamal, pianist Andrew Hill, saxophonist James
Spaulding, and the late tenor saxophonist George Adams. Belden currently
plays regularly with such artists as Enja recording artist Abdullah Ibrahim,
Evidence recording artist the Ralph Peterson Fo'tet, Black Saint recording
artist The Oliver Lake Quintet, and Muse recording artist The Jay Hoggard
group. During his career, he has performed with the following prominent jazz
artists: drummer Roy Haynes, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton, vocalist Gloria
Lynn, and trumpeter Ted Curson. Mr. Bullock continues to perform with many
of the top musicians in the New York City area.
