Vocalist Lauren Henderson issues her tenth leader recording ‘Conjuring’ due out April 21, 2023 (Brontosaurus Records)

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Vocalist Lauren Henderson returns on her tenth leader date, Conjuring, due out April 21 via Brontosaurus Records. Like its predecessor, La Bruja, this new recording continues to incorporate themes of magic and mysticism throughout, specifically emphasizing the power of Black American Music and Afro-Latinx experiences. Henderson, who identifies as a Black American with vast Caribbean and Afro-Latin roots, has dutifully upheld both Latin music and jazz traditions across her repertoire while carving distinct meaning into her very personal intersection of the two.

Henderson's enchanting and fervent 10-track collection on Conjuring is supported by first-call accompanists, including Joel Ross on vibes, Eric Wheeler on bass and Joe Dyson on drums, while Gabe Schneider and Nick Tannura divide guitar duties as do pianists Sean Mason and John Chin, all of whom contributed to the lush sorcery on La Bruja and "expertly sustain the appealing Latin jazz-noir mood, " (Alex Henderson, New York City Jazz Record).

Interpretation is essential to Henderson's adroitness. In a 2020 interview with DownBeat Magazine, she discusses her devotion to the integrity of a tune. Specifically, she feels sensitive to the lyrics of jazz standards. "I don't feel like I can give a strong interpretation and representation of the song if I can't find some way of connecting to it." In a similar vein, Henderson was recognized by Grammy.com last October as one of "10 Jazz Artists Blending And Expanding The Sounds of Latin America."

This fidelity to tradition, matched with her innately-articulate and warm timbre, distinguishes Henderson's craft as one that is deeply perceptive and intricately measured. Listeners can sense this precision throughout Conjuring, and especially during Henderson's selection of reimagined standards, which include "That Old Black Magic", "Day Dream", "It's Magic" and "I Wish You Love." She opts for subtlety throughout her repertoire, embracing her distinct contralto and hushed tones while exploring her own connection to sounds and ideas that harken back to eras as early as the '40s.

Through vigorous multitracking, Henderson's savvy vocal forays on originals like "Potions" and "Amuleto" showcase the spellbinding qualities of her layered compositions. The lattermost opening at the command of Ross' ethereal rubato on vibraphone, a fine example of his arresting complexities. Another original, album opener "Spells, " casts an array of magic-related metaphors including the idea of love as flame, reinforced through scintillating rhythmic interplay between Mason, Wheeler and Dyson.

Title track "Conjuring" is a standout for comparable reasons. An illustration of her intriguing yet reticent lyricism, Henderson softly whispers that "in its own way, love's divine." Yet even when such lyrics halt, this gentle poeticism is sustained instrumentally, particularly through a mesmeric motif introduced by Mason, which wondrously reverberates later on "Amuleto."

Traces of reggae punctuate tracks like "Coercion" and serve as a reminder that Henderson is deftly equipped to transpose multiple sonic landscapes at once. That sort of nuance and exploration suffuses every turn on Conjuring, making the vocalist's latest effort both a scheme of vast musical affections and strong basis for its high rank among the cardinals of modern jazz artistry.

More about LAUREN HENDERSON

Born on the Massachusetts North Shore, critically-acclaimed singer-composer and lyricist Lauren Henderson has been a vital member of the New York scene for the past decade. Among Jazz Charts Top 5, and the Year End Jazz Week Top 50 (2020), Lauren accesses elements from a range of influences across genres and stylistic traditions, delivering a distinct, versatile sound. Heralded by The New York Times and DownBeat Magazine for its distinct expression, Lauren's music uncovers layers of her cultural heritages and her diverse background in English and Spanish. Across nine released leader albums, her compositions share stories reflecting journeys imposed through the African Diaspora in connection to Lauren's Panamanian, Montserratian and vast Caribbean roots as they interplay with her North American upbringing. Jazz, Latin American styles, Flamenco, R&B and Soul roots prompt an exploration of culture, society, race, love and the complexities she encounters in navigating life's obstacles alongside fellow artists and discerning listeners. Lauren launched her own label Brontosaurus Records in 2019. Recently featured as the cover photo of Spotify's Vocal Jazz playlist, Lauren Henderson has performed in France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Norway, Russia, Mexico and South Africa, living up to her growing reputation as a "vibrant star singer, " – Downbeat Magazine.

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Track Listing / Personnel

Spells (feat. Joel Ross, Sean Mason, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 4:52
That Old Black Magic (feat. Joel Ross, Sean Mason, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 5:13
Conjuring (feat. Joel Ross, Sean Mason, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 3:36
Es Magia (feat. Gabe Schneider, John Chin, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 4:18
Coercion (feat. Gabe Schneider, John Chin, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 4:04
Day Dream (feat. Joel Ross, Sean Mason, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 5:21
Potions (feat. Nick Tannura, John Chin, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 5:40
Amuleto (feat. Joel Ross, Sean Mason, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 3:34
It's Magic (feat. Nick Tannura, John Chin, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 5:05
I Wish You Love (feat. Joel Ross, Sean Mason, Eric Wheeler, Joe Dyson) 3:05

Composer Credits:

Spells by Lauren Henderson

That Old Black Magic by Harold Arlen

Conjuring by Lauren Henderson

Es Magia by Jule Styne

Coercion by Lauren Henderson

Day Dream by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington

Potions by Lauren Henderson

Amuleto by Lauren Henderson

It's Magic by Jule Styne

I Wish You Love by Charles Trenet

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