LAUREL MASSÉ FANSITE: septiembre 2007

23.9.07

CLIPPINGS...

17.9.07

WESTERN & SWING WEEK AT ASHOKAN

June 24 - 30, 2007

Swing • Jazz • Country • Western Swing CLASSES & ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: Lindy and West Coast swing, C&W dances, squares & contras, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, singing, piano, lap steel, vocal workshops, swing & country band clinics, improvisation, music theory, dance parties, jam sessions, song swaps and more...

Laurel's Singer's Workshop

THE WESTERN & SWING WEEK PHILOSOPHY We provide classes in both music and dance, so that dancers will have the finest music to dance to and musicians will be inspired by the great dance forms that their music is rooted in. Participants can tailor their own schedule to focus exclusively on music, dance or a mix of both. It's not uncommon to find an experienced dancer taking a beginning music class or an experienced musician learning to dance for the first time.

Laurel Massé & Vinnie Martucci

LINK:http://www.ashokan.org/ashokan/camp.shtml

16.9.07

FEATHER AND BONE

For most of the 1990s, Laurel Masse took a leave of absence from the music business. But thankfully, the former Manhattan Transfer vocalist didn't retire from music permanently. Recorded in 1999 and released in 2001, Feather & Bone marked her return to the studio after a decade of isolation. Those who know Masse for her work with the Manhattan Transfer in the 1970s or the solo projects she recorded for Pausa in the 1980s will be surprised to learn that this CD doesn't contain any jazz whatsoever -- or even any jazz-influenced pop. A radical departure from anything Masse did in the 1970s or 1980s, this diverse album ranges from Celtic music ("N'Da," "I Am the Mountainy Singer") to classical (Bach's Gigue), to a traditional Quaker hymn ("How Can I Keep From Singing?"). Most of the time, Masse performs a cappella, which proves to be a good thing because the lack of instruments has a way of making her sound especially soulful and spiritual. And when an instrument is employed -- whether it be a fiddle, a frame drum, or bagpipes -- Masse still favors a minimal approach and makes sure that her performances have a very intimate quality. Jazz snobs will no doubt be disappointed to learn that Feather & Bone is devoid of jazz; regardless, this is a compelling, moving album that no doubt means a lot to her. ~ Alex Henderson.

Chanteuse et fondatrice du MANHATTAN TRANSFER, LAUREL MASSÉ dut quitter la scène suite à un tragique accident de voiture en 79 et ne reprit sa carrière quï¿½en 84. Le grand album de son retour, Feather & Bone, est entièrement dévolu au chant ancien (chants traditionnels de lï¿½Ecosse, de Grèce, etc), et à de magiques réinterprétations de J.C. BACH (gigue, menuet). Un enregistrement empreint de beaucoup de mysticisme et de pureté.

THE GOLDEN YEARS

The next album, Pastiche (Atlantic 19163), lived up to its name - a mixture of various musical styles and genres. By this time, the Manhattan Transfer were experimenting with more open voicings and less block harmony, adding new depth to their vocal precision. Between Pastiche's list of Cole Porter and Duke Ellington songs, the Manhattan Transfer collaborated for the first time with JonHendricks, the vocal jazz legend and one-third of the Lambert, Hendricks and Ross vocal jazz group. The collaboration, "Four Brothers," was originally written by Jimmy Giuffre for Woody Herman's Second Herd. For this song, the Manhattan Transfer replicated - using only their voices and Jon Hendricks' lyrics - the melodies of Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Herbie Steward and Serge Chaloff, Woody Herman's sax section.

Pastiche sold well in Europe, but could climb no higher than #66 on the American album charts. Tim, Alan, Janis and Laurel toured Europe, playing concerts in support of Pastiche, and listening to different music in anticipation of using some new ideas for a new album. "We had just come back from Europe," said Alan, "we were in Europe for a couple of months touring, and we were scheduled to open in the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, and we had all these new ideas and things that we wanted to present to the public."

"We were in a very high stressful period," added Janis, "in the sense that we were rehearsing a new show intensely. We were working with Toni Basil on choreography, and it was a lot of new stuff. And we were going so fast, it was literally hitting a brick wall. There were a lot of intense rehearsals. Laurel, I think, fell asleep at the wheel in her car one night - and had a bad car accident."

Laurel Massé's car hit a pole. Besides a broken leg and a broken arm, the accident shattered her jaw, and it was wired shut for about three months. "When she finally came around," said Tim, "and she started getting back out into life again, she said she wanted to try a solo career."

Laurel's solo career included three solo albums, and successful performances at various jazz festivals. "Laurel's still very much active," said Janis. "She's doing a lot of a cappella work, storytelling, that kind of stuff. I spoke with her a few days ago. And during the time of re-evaluation, Laurel decided she didn't want to be in the group any more. It was a very brave decision, and we had to decide whether we wanted to quit ourselves or go on. And we decided to go on."

After Laurel left the group, the rest of the Manhattan Transfer had to make a decision - they knew nobody could replace Laurel Massé - but rather than post full-page cattle-call ads in Variety looking for a new soprano, they put out feelers to friends of theirs, looking for somebody who had the voice, the sass, the total showmanship and dedicated work ethic necessary to be a Manhattan Transfer member.

CHARTS:http://norwegiancharts.com/archiv.asp?todo=show&woche=25&jahr=1977&sparte=a

CHARTS:http://norwegiancharts.com/archiv.asp?todo=show&woche=27&jahr=1977&sparte=s

CHARTS:http://norwegiancharts.com/archiv.asp?todo=show&woche=07&jahr=1978&sparte=a

CHARTS:http://norwegiancharts.com/archiv.asp?todo=show&woche=12&jahr=1978&sparte=a

9.9.07

PISANDO FUERTE..

Manhattan Transfer y Laurel Massé pisan fuerte este otoño con sus conciertos, si estás cerca de uno de ellos no te lo pienses y ves a verlos, es algo increible como la mágia sigue viva después de tantos años. Como me contó Raquel, en el concierto de Laurel en el Cosmopolitan club, Laurel cautiva y se crece en cada canción y esperamos los próximos conciertos de JALALA!!(Janis,Laurel,Lauren)

Una pequeña broma pués el nombre todavia es un misterio, pero pronto sabremos como ellas bautizan al grupo y poder disfrutar de sus voces ¡¡¡ Wow!!! Lo estoy deseando.

Un saludo amigos.

September 29(Saturday):Laurel Massé in concert

STONE MOUNTAIN ARTS CENTER PERFORMANCE...

ARTIST: Laurel Massé

" These songs are served by a woman who knows her way around a lyric line. Listen, then try to forget the full rounded notes. Massé demonstrates diction as flawless as her taste in music." Joanne Kaufman, People.

"One of the best vocalists in jazz.... Indeed, there is something almost otherworldly about Massé's emotional magic...as though like Fred Astaire she seemed merely to be down here on a visit." Larry Kart, Chicago Tribune

"One of the two or three best female jazz singers this side of Ella" Lloyd Sachs, Chicago Sun Times

"Consider this a belated Valentine's card to singer Laurel Massé. How can you not fall in love with someone who brings such life and joy to every not that passes through her lips - who transforms even the most familiar songs into stunning new dramatic entities? Massé's opening night set Wednesday at the Cinegrill in the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel was simply one of the most musically compelling programs ever at that venue - or at most venues, for that matter."

Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times

DATE: Saturday, September 29, 2007.

SHOWTIME: 8:00 p.m. -- Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

DINNER: Limited CASUAL Dinner (LDM)

Available by reservation before the show (not included in ticket price).

Click here for sample menu.

ADMISSION: $20.00 pp (concert only)

LODGING PACKAGE: $450* for two -Two nights lodging with full country breakfast each morning, dinner at the Inn before the show, roundtrip concert shuttle, and two concert tickets. Call 603-447-2120 to order your getaway package.

Click for details.Link:http://www.stonemountainartscenter.com/ArtsCenter/Laurel-Masse.html

Link:http://www.innatcrystallake.com/stonemountainartscenter.html

6.9.07

LOS INICIOS...

2.9.07

Berkowitz & Krupa Orch in Concert Series at Beechman, 9/5

ScoBar Entertainment presents an open-run of Michael Berkowitz & the Gene Krupa Orchestra every Wednesday evening from 5-7PM, beginning September 5 at the Laurie BeechmanTheater

"The Gene Krupa Orchestra, led by drummer Michael Berkowitz, has been performing to sold-out houses and standing ovations from coast to coast," state press notes, "Berkowitz, recently back from a European Tour with Liza Minnelli, is returning to his All-Star Big Band (15 pieces) playing Krupa's big hits and swing-era classics: 'Drum Boogie,' 'Lover,' 'Body and Soul,' 'Wire Brush Stomp,' 'Sing, Sing, Sing' and many others. A jaw dropping drumming pro, he brings the music of 'America's Ace Drummer Man' to life, with his incredible technique, expression & sensitivity. Vocals made famous by Krupa singers Anita O'Day and Irene Daye, will be performed by a different guest artist, each week. To open the run, the first guest vocalist will be Manhattan Transfer founding member, Laurel Masse."

The open-ended concert engagement begins September 5, every Wednesday from 5-7PM. The Laurie Beechman Theatre is located at 407 West 42nd Street, New York. Tickets are $20, plus a $15 food/drink minimum. For reservations call 212-695-6909.

Photo: Laurel Masse, guest vocalist

LIVE: JaLaLa @ The Egg, 6/5/10

The name JaLaLa is a clever use of the first two letters of the first names of the three internationally acclaimed songbirds fronting the fabulous trio.

Janis Siegel, Laurel Masse and Lauren Kinhan are certainly no strangers to the jazz community. Their considerable vocal talents have long been an integral part of such world-renowned ensembles as Manhattan Transfer (Siegel & Masse) and the New York Voices (Kinhan).

Last Saturday night, vocal sparks ignited the pyrotechnic vocal-fun at The Egg in Albany when these three distinct voices joined forces to sing, swing and scat their way through an uninterrupted set of originals, American jazz, Broadway standards and the classic Johnny Mercer songbook. (JaLaLa’s debut album is a tribute titled, “That Old Mercer Magic!”)

Backing the three chanteuses was a crack rhythm section featuring bassist Steve LaSpina, drummer Deric Dickens and long-time Manhattan Transfer music director/pianist Yaron Gershovsky.

http://www.nippertown.com

Birdland

JALALA = Janis Siegel, Laurel Masse and Lauren Kinhan…three gals who know from vocal groups. Janis has been with the Manhattan Transfer since the beginning. Laurel was part of the original Transfer. Lauren is one of the New York Voices. Happily, they have joined forces for this fabulous vocal klatch called JaLaLa. They sold-out Birdland on Monday night, showing off with their signature harmonies and gorgeous solo vocals, but a dazzling highlight came during the encore. The trio had planned a re-interpretation of the Lambert, Hendricks & Ross masterpiece, “It’s Sand, Man,” but Janis had spied the song’s creater and King of Vocalese, Mr. Jon Hendricks, sneak into the club to catch the act. They invited him onstage (left) to add some extra-special hip to the scene, making it one of the more historic moments we’ve witnessed! Thanks, Ja, La, and La for an amazing night!

http://castpartynyc.com/

LAUREL MASSÉ

Laurel Massé, founding member of Grammy award-winning vocal group Manhattan Transfer, toured internationally for seven years with the group and recorded five albums. In 1979, a serious automobile accident forced her departure. After two years of convalescence, she began touring again both in the States and in Europe. She has released four solo CDs. The first two, Alone Together and Easy Living, both hit the Billboard Jazz charts; the third, Again, was a People magazine pick. Feather and Bone, her 2000 release, was picked by audiophile magazine The Absolute Sound as "a recording of extraordinary musical and sonic value". In 2002 she released Ballads.

Coming Out nº1 in Europe

COMING OUT/BRITISH BPI GOLD LP AWARD 1977

Coming Out sold millions of copies in Europe, where a single from the album, "Chanson D'Amour," hit #1 in France and in England, a chart-topper on both sides of the English Channel. On the strength of "Chanson D'Amour," the Manhattan Transfer toured Europe again, including a show at the MIDEM music business convention in Cannes. In a 1977 interview, Alan Paul remembered how that song was chosen and recorded. "The song was written in 1957. We'd been recording all day and we hadn't gotten that far. Just as we were about to leave, Laurel shouted, 'Hey wait a minute, I've got an idea.' She used an Edith Piaf sound in her voice and we recorded it in one take. She wanted to get a romantic French feel behind it."

The Manhattan Transfer Show/CBS TV

Because of the lack of rehearsal time to learn new material, the Manhattan Transfer mined their catalog for over 30 different songs during the show's four-week run - they went through all their recorded material, the stuff that hadn't been recorded yet, enough music to record a new studio album every Sunday night. "We didn't want to get picked up for another season," said Tim, "because we knew that we couldn't do another season. These shows are put together in a week, and this is why television is what it is.

PASTICHE

Pastiche (Atlantic 19163), lived up to its name - a mixture of various musical styles and genres. By this time, the Manhattan Transfer were experimenting with more open voicings and less block harmony, adding new depth to their vocal precision. Between Pastiche's list of Cole Porter and Duke Ellington songs, the Manhattan Transfer collaborated for the first time with JonHendricks, the vocal jazz legend and one-third of the Lambert, Hendricks and Ross vocal jazz group. The collaboration, "Four Brothers," was originally written by Jimmy Giuffre for Woody Herman's Second Herd. For this song, the Manhattan Transfer replicated - using only their voices and Jon Hendricks' lyrics - the melodies of Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Herbie Steward and Serge Chaloff, Woody Herman's sax section.

Pastiche Nº10 in UK and nº 1 in Norway

THE BEGINNINGS

The Manhattan Transfer re-emerged as a four-piece, with Janis Siegel (alto), Laurel Massé (soprano), and Alan Paul (tenor), who found each other in a series of happy accidents. Tim Hauser was driving a cab at the time, and picked up passenger Laurel Masse; they got to talking. Tim met Janis Siegel through a drummer acquaintance. Janis had been performing at the Greenwich Village coffeehouse scene with a group called "Laurel Canyon." Alan Paul had been appearing in the musical "Grease!" (Laurel's boyfriend was a musician in the production, and referred him).