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| Russ Lorenson at Jazz at Pearl's Russ Lorenson celebrates the release of his new holiday CD, What I Want For Christmas at Jazz at Pearl’s in San Francisco on Thursday, December 14, 2006. With songs by such great composers and lyricists as Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn, and Frank Loesser, there's something for everyone in this wonderful holiday show. From the swinging "My Favorite Time Of Year" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas", to the intimate and romantic "Christmas Waltz" and "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?", to the plain old ragtime fun of "If I Hear Another Song About Christmas", it's pure magic listening to these classics, delivered with Lorenson's fresh delivery. "Christmas records are special keepsakes that come out once a year. The best ones transport me back to my days as a small boy, celebrating the holidays with my family in Pennsylvania, " said Lorenson. "As a singer, I have always wanted to create one of those 'special keepsakes, ' something I hope will be treasured year after year." "Russ is exactly the kind of artist that exemplifies what our label is all about", says Lee Lessack, founder and CEO of LML Music and a well-known singer in his own right. "The holidays are a time for family, and we couldn't be more proud to have Russ as part of the LML Music family." Russ Lorenson's passion for Broadway, pop and jazz began as a youngster, with a performing career that began at age seven. As a choral conductor and coach, Russ was the Associate Conductor of the award-winning California Youth Chorale, and as an actor he appeared in musical productions with San Diego's Starlight Musical Theatre, Lyric Opera San Diego and toured with the National Theatre for Children. After a 15-year break as an executive in high-tech, Lorenson made a triumphant return to his performing career, appearing as an actor with various San Francisco theatre companies, as a recording artist on the LML Music label, and as a concert and nightclub vocalist touring the US. With his band, Russ has quickly established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area's leading interpreters of jazz standards, with a sound and approach that place him at the intersection of Broadway, jazz, and pop – the very essence of the Great American Songbook. Russ Lorenson is currently touring the U.S. with his show, "Benedetto/Blessed: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Tony Bennett." Lorenson's tribute to the man whom Frank Sinatra called "the best singer in the business" premiered in July 2006, when Russ opened for the legendary Eartha Kitt at the Austin (Texas) Cabaret Theatre. The show is currently enjoying sold-out runs across the country, including San Francisco's Empire Plush Room, and New York's famed Iridium Jazz Club. The show is musically directed by renowned jazz pianist Kelly Park and written by Lorenson. Lorenson's previous nightclub show, "A Little Travelin' Music", played to sold-out audiences on both coasts. His debut CD, of the same name, was released in May 2006 on the LML Music label and features songs from the show and includes duets with special guests Shawn Ryan and Klea Blackhurst. write your comments about the article :: © 2006 Jazz News :: home page |