Born: December 4 Primary Instrument: Vocal
Granddaughter of a 1920's female jazz pianist and daughter of legendary big band saxophonist Billy Ainsworth of the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Laura Ainsworth has classic supper club jazz in her DNA. The Dallas-based singer has a pure, rich tone and nearly three-octave range that has attracted some of the best jazz players in the Southwest to her side, including 2011 “Dallas Jazz Musician of the Year” Brian Piper, to create her shows that combine her contemporary sense of humor with the elegant style of the great supper club performers of the '40s and '50s.
Her debut CD, “Keep It To Yourself,” featuring the Brian Piper Trio and several great guest musicians, spans the decades, from fresh twists on standards like “Skylark” and “Love For Sale” to forgotten gems from the 1920's- '50s, to contemporary tracks, like the sexy but hilarious title song.
”Jazz vocalist Laura Ainsworth weaves past and present with stunning power...Her voice is like (a) mirror reflection into the past, conjuring black-and-white images of well-groomed gentlemen in trench coats and fedoras, smoke-enveloped bars, and glamorous women whose beauty is nearly as bright as their jewelry...Laura Ainsworth has that effect on the listener, an uncanny ability to flash portraits in the mind with a simple line...It might not be long before Dallas is not just known for its oil, Cowboys, and J.R. Ewing but a funny lady with a jewel of a voice...” -- Robert Sutton, JazzCorner.com
”...The title track opens and immediately transports us to a posh dinner and dancing club with fancy-dressed women and men with cigars. Ainsworth and band play gorgeously together, creating a charming, classic sound that would fit in any ’50s film with that club scene. I expected Rosemary Clooney or Bing Crosby to appear somewhere. Props to producer Brian Piper and mixer Kent Stump for tying up package that gives due respect to Ainsworth’s voice while never faltering on the instruments... The horns are crisp and each drumbeat or guitar pluck is as obvious as it is subtle.
But Ainsworth is clearly the star. What she does with Johnny Mercer’s 'Skylark' and Cole Porter’s 'Love for Sale' is magic...” -- Rich Lopez, Dallas Voice
“A spectacular CD...Takes the ambiance of the '40's and '50's supper clubs/bands and elegantly mingles that feel with modern day flair...An “elegant and classy voice with a sophisticated style. Her rendition of…’Dream A Little Dream of Me’ is truly superb...Ainsworth’s voice carries with a smooth and silky tonality. If you are a fan of Diana Krall or Ella Fitzgerald, then you will truly appreciate (this) outstanding CD.” .” -- RadioIndy.com
“Blends the pop and jazz worlds in a fresh and unique way.” -- Matthew Warnock, ReviewYou.com
