LAURA ELLIS: Here Lies Love
On her King Records debut CD Here Lies Love, Kansas City-native Ellis tips her hat to influences like Sarah Vaughan and Dinah Washington with her sophisticated take on legendary songs like Blue Gardenia and Moonray. Produced by Alan Paul of Manhattan Transfer fame, Here Lies Love delves into several styles - from the Latin-flavored title track to straightforward balladeering - but always remains true to the jazz genre.
Raised in Kansas City, Ellis began honing her vocal skills when she was 10 years old, singing along with her father's old 45rpm records. As a young adult, Laura attended Kansas State University, where she trained in dance and vocal performance and toured the USA singing as a member of the K-State Singers. After graduation, she moved to Los
Angeles and began her professional career not only as a singer but also in acting. Some of her TV performances include, Make Me Laugh, History Channel's Route 66 and Modern Marvels documentaries, the HBO series, Carnivale and an appearance with one of her singing idols, Della Reese, in an ad for Avandia.
On stage, Laura performed a one-woman show entitled The Vintage Voice, which was critically acclaimed and ran for 4 years. She has also performed as a member of the all girl vocal group The Wonderelles, honoring girl groups of the 40's 50's and 60's.
The Sept. 27 release of Here Lies Love comes in support of her first tour of Japan and more date to be announced in the United States.
"The main thing you can expect at a Laura Ellis show is seeing someone who finds great joy in performing," Ellis said. "And hopefully that is infectious."
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.lauraellisjazz.com
Track List:
1. Moon Ray
2. I Wanna Be Loved
3. Little Paper Ball
4. Lonely Woman
5. Here Lies Love
6. Exasperada
7. Tea For Two (Tribute to Anita O'Day)
8. Let's Live Again
9. Blue Gardenia
10. My Shining Hour
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