It's Jazz Appreciation Month, and WRTI is highlighting vocalist Laurin Talese as part of a diverse playlist featuring both established and emerging women from around Philadelphia and around the world.
Watch Laurin Talese in performance here!
Her band includes: Toru Dodo, piano; Endea Owens. bass; Anwar Marshall, drums
“Throughout Jazz Appreciation Month we’re featuring a custom playlist on WRTI’s NPR Live Sessions page each week,” explains WRTI Jazz Host and Live Sessions Executive Producer J. Michael Harrison.
"This week, we shine a light on some of the gifted vocalists we’ve been able to feature on NPR Live Sessions. We’re adding to the fun by also featuring one of those extraordinary artists as this week’s Video of the Week. To accomplish this, we revisit the filming of a recent New Year’s Eve celebration at South Jazz Parlor. What a special night it was at South... Bringing in the New Year with Laurin Talese was truly amazing!”
Possessing a voice that has captivated audiences since childhood, Laurin Talese relocated from Cleveland, OH to Philadelphia where she attended the University of the Arts, and subsequently received a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance.
The entertainer has shared the stage with renowned classical and jazz ensembles along with numerous international recording artists including Bilal, Gregory Porter, Patti LaBelle, Robert Glasper and Vivian Green.
The songstress has performed for audiences and led educational workshops in a host of national and international venues including The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia's Academy of Music, the famed Apollo Theater, The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, and at the New Jersey Center for Performing Arts (NJPAC) in November 2018 when Laurin won the seventh annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition.
J. Michael added: “Laurin’s an award-winning vocalist, a wonderful composer, and a jazz ambassador who’s very much a student of the genre. With an equally talented rhythm section, New Year’s Eve at South lived up to all expectations. Adding to the excitement, WRTI was broadcasting live and there was certainly a bit of electricity in the air. Fortunately, we made a last-minute decision to also capture this wonderful performance for NPR Live Sessions. We’re very happy to share some of the energy from that remarkable evening with you. Please enjoy vocalist Laurin Talese featured as this week’s Video of the Week!”
