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Lainie Cooke

Lainie met her first microphone when she was three years old. It was love at first sight. She did her first radio show at six and television show at eleven. She became a band singer at the age of 14. She sang and entertained folks in her hometown of Minneapolis in large and small venues til she left college to come to New York City. And she is probably the only talented young person in history to leave New York City and go to L.A. to become a jazz singer. Lainie Cooke made her first and most lasting impression in the City of the Angels in the '80s making many fans and friends performing in the top jazz clubs of the Southland.

But New York is home and always will be.

When Lainie was twelve she won a city wide talent contest. First prize - a trip to New York. There on the corner of 46th & Broadway with the cars streaming by and the lights of New York dazzling her young eyes, she heard a voice in her head saying, "Well, you're home now." It was prophetic. After two years at the University of Minnesota, as a arts major studying acting, voice, music theory , she left her home to follow that voice. The Broadway stage was her goal, but her successes came instead from commercials, as she became a popular voiceover artist speaking off-camera for Jean Nate, Asti Spumante, Ford, McDonald's, The Daily News, Gillette, Ideal Toys, etc. and Infommercials, Industrials, TV promos etc, etc. etc.

The petite and powerful songbird has long been appreciated by fans in both showbiz towns. A group of regulars has turned out religiously for every live performance over the past 20-some years, and they have grown into more than fans. Those who aren''t family have become friends.

Now, with the release of her first-ever recording, the heretofore exclusive and savvy membership of the "We've actually heard Lainie Cooke" Club is about to explode.

In the words of jazz journalist Harvey Siders "Lainie can cook on the kind of quality standards she prefers-the Porter-Gershwin-Rodgers & Hart classics that challenge her dramatic bent for story-telling. She has an unerring ear for melodic invention, and an instinctive feel for time that allows her to take unusual rhythmic liberties. And her intonation is 'right on.'" (The Los Angeles Daily News, circa 1985.)

Ms. Cooke also serves on the National and Local Board of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

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3
Album Review

Lainie Cooke: The Music is the Magic

Read "The Music is the Magic" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Lainie Cooke is a singer not afraid to take chances. Her third recording, The Music is the Magic, she populates her recital with near standards: songs that are familiar but not cliche. Supported by a reeds-led quartet anchored by drummer (and producer on this recording) Ralph Peterson, Lainie displays a command of vocal jazz that is impressive. “Lazy Afternoon" and “Sweet Pumpkin" are sung with a Sarah Vaughan angularity betraying a good deal of practice and talent. Abbey Lincoln's tightly ...

651
Interview

Lainie Cooke: Speaking to the Heart

Read "Lainie Cooke: Speaking to the Heart" reviewed by Esther Berlanga-Ryan


When Lainie Cooke sings, the heart sinks in poetry made music; air seems to stop to avoid interrupting the flowing of such a magical, beautiful voice. She fills the barely-noticeable silence between notes with a voice that caresses the heart. Her life has been a jazz-bound adventure inspired by an early need to entertain others, landing her in New York City at a very young age.

It's Always You (Harlemwood Records, 2008) is only her second studio album ...

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1

Recording

"The Music Is The Magic," New CD By Vocalist Lainie Cooke, To Be Released March 17 By Ralph Peterson's Onyx Music Label

"The Music Is The Magic," New CD By Vocalist Lainie Cooke, To Be Released March 17 By Ralph Peterson's Onyx Music Label

Source: Terri Hinte Publicity

Given the deep jazz feeling and serious vocal chops displayed by Lainie Cooke on her new CD The Music Is the Magic, it’s hard to believe that the disc is only Cooke’s third. But this masterpiece of vocal jazz, which will be released March 17 by Ralph Peterson’s Onyx Music Label, affirms her standing in the front ranks of jazz singers performing today. “The wisdom, clarity, and nuances possessed by Lainie throughout the recording are most refreshing,” comments Peterson in ...

134

Interview

Vocalist Lainie Cooke Interviewed at AAJ

Vocalist Lainie Cooke Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz

When Lainie Cooke sings, the heart sinks in poetry made music; air seems to stop to avoid interrupting the flowing of such a magical, beautiful voice. She fills the barely-noticeable silence between notes with a voice that caresses the heart. Her life has been a jazz-bound adventure inspired by an early need to entertain others, landing her in New York City at a very young age.

It's Always You (Harlemwood Records, 2008) is only her second studio album in a ...

98

Recording

Vocalist Lainie Cooke to Celebrate Release of CD "It's Always You" May 14 @ Museum of the City of NY

Vocalist Lainie Cooke to Celebrate Release of CD "It's Always You" May 14 @ Museum of the City of NY

Source: MFA - Mitchell Feldman Associates

Who: Vocalist Lainie Cooke with Tedd Firth - piano Cameron Brown - bass Matt Wilson - drums Marvin Horne - guitar Roland Barber - trombone Joel Frahm - sax What: Celebrating Release of her new CD “It's Always You" (Harlemwood Records 0108) When: Wednesday / May 14 at 7:00 pm Where: Museum Of The City Of New York / 1220 Fifth Avenue at104th Street / New York, NY ...

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Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

The Music is the Magic

Onyx Music Label
2015

buy

It's Always You

Harlemwood Records
2008

buy

Here's To Life

Harlemwood Records
2002

buy

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