New York, July 22, 2014 - Laura Dreyer, a native of the San
Francisco Bay Area, has established herself as a vital member of the
New York jazz scene. Always drawn to Brazilian music, the composer,
educator and multi-instrumentalist created a "latinized" fusion
incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and rock.
Dreyer was
a founding member and contributing arranger for the big band DIVA. In
this capacity, she worked with luminaries Dave Brubeck, Rosemary
Clooney, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Slide Hampton and Clark Terry, among
others. Additionally she has performed with Dr. Billy Taylor, Mel Lewis,
Robert Palmer, Nnenna Freelon, Lea Delaria, Leny Andrade and Portinho.
She was a band member for the award-winning musicals "Hot and Sweet"
and the Duke Ellington tribute, "Hit Me With A Hot Note."
The
National Endowment for the Arts awarded Dreyer grants in performance
and professional jazz study/composition. She participated in the BMI
Jazz Composer's Workshop and four of her songs have
received an honorable mention in Billboard Magazine's songwriting
contests.
Dreyer has been active as an educator, and continues to write for music publications.
Of
her current work she says, "I discovered an intrinsic emotional quality
in Brazilian music that helped me find a deeper level of
self-expression. After having performed many times with Brazilian jazz
artists throughout the years in New York City and Brazil, I began to
envision recording my newest album in Rio de Janeiro. I had worked with
world-class Rio-based jazz artists in Brazil, and realized that I had
found the perfect group of musicians to perform my music and complete my
vision."
In
the spirit of creating a multi- cultural recording, vocalist and music
educator Professor Roger Wesby wrote lyrics in Spanish for one of
Dreyer's compositions. Brazilian vocalist Débora Watts adapted these
lyrics to Portuguese, and penned lyrics to another one of
Dreyer's songs. Vocalist Teri Koide contributed her vocal talents and
English lyrics to another piece, and Karen Rodriguez helped with further
Spanish lyrics and stellar vocals. The repertoire was completed with
the addition of two arrangements of a composition by the legendary Romeo Santos.
The
14 tracks of the CD were recorded in the historic neighborhood of Santa
Teresa with engineer Carlos Fuchs at his state of the art studio.
Dreyer
concludes, "I am grateful that the magic I felt during the recording
session, and my passion for the fascinating sounds of Brazil, are
captured on Vida. Arte. Amor."
TRACKS
- Caminhos Novos
- Beauty & The Beast
- Ping Pong
- La Pena El Placer (Portuguese Version)
- Beijo del Sol (Rio Version)
- Spring St.
- Vale La Pena El Placer
- O Outro Lado do Seu Amor
- Perdendo Voce
- A Somba Se Foi
- Until Daybreak
- Arcade
- A Danca dos Cacharros
- Perdiendote
