"A Voice As Unique as Her Origins"
“Looking for a new name to get excited about, try Dessy Di Lauro”: Chris Wells, Editor-In-Chief, Echoes Magazine (April 2005). Dessy's recently commercially released EP album, 'A Study of a Woman's Soul' (CrazyglueMusic) is a blend of soul & Latin. To date, three out of five of her songs on the EP, were chosen by Soul music compilations; two in the US, and one in the UK. In January of 2006, DJ John Dean aired a full hour of Dessy’s live performance on his popular UK satellite radio show, The Juice, on Solar Radio. The buzz is already starting in the independent music industry.
Dessy is touring the US and Canada with the latest Cirque Du Soleil production, Delirium, with a leading role. Her producer, musical director, arranger, composer, and writing partner Ric’key Pageot, is the musical conductor & keyboardist on the Delirium.
In 2005 alone, Dessy and Ric’key have showcased there original music in Detroit’s “Motor City Music Conference”, Toronto’s “Canadian Music Week Conference” & Phemphat’s “Honey Jam”, New York City’s S.O.B.’s Club, The Montreal International Jazz Festival. At that same event, she sang back up vocals for none other than Patti Labelle & The Neville Brothers. Of that experience, Dessy says: “After meeting Ms. Labelle, my admiration for her grew even more, not only as an artist, but also as a person. She is just incredible”.
From early childhood, Dessy Di Lauro's parents exposed her to music of many genres, considering her multi-ethnic background. The music of her parents inevitably would later become her own musical influences; soul music (Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder); jazz (Sara Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald); Cuban (Los Van Van, Irakere); and Brazilian (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Gilberto Gil).
As she made her way in the Montreal music seen in the early 90's at a young age, she began singing in professional gospel choirs. She also joined the Rn'B/Soul group Co-Soul, singing alongside, Janis "Coco" Thompson (Celine Dion), and Alan Prater a.k.a.Soul-o (Michael Jackson, Cameo). During her time in the band, she opened for singer Mary J. Blige on her "My Life Tour" in Montreal.
Along with genius turntablelist DJ Kid Koala (Ninja Tunes Rec.), Dessy was one the original members of the acid jazz group, Bullfrog. Among many performances in and outside of Montreal, they opened for James Brown's saxophonist, Maceo Parker.
Dessy has also performed and recorded with many francophone recording artists in Quebec, such as Mitsou, Marie-Denise Pelletier, France Joli, and Marie Joe Therie.
In 1997, Dessy was getting to be known around Montreal not only as a gifted singer, but also as a talented songwriter. That year, she was called to write and sing for a brand new francophone rap group, named Dubmatique for their debut album "La Force de Comprendre" (Tox records). Her single when on to top the charts in Canada and France, and the album was certified double platinum, earning Dubmatique the title of the first francophone rap group to go platinum in Canada. Internationally known singer Ginette Reno, winner of six Juno Awards personally picked Dessy's original composition "Will You Be There" for her English album "Love Is All" (Honey Dew Records/1998) produced by Steve Skinner.
In 1998, Dessy was chosen to be part of the original cast of the critically acclaimed Cirque du Soleil production, "La Nouba" in Orlando, Florida, where she performed for three years.
At her return to Montreal in 2003, she was introduced to Ric’key Pageot, and they soon began working together on her original material. His credentials include a Bachelor degree in music, majoring in Jazz Performance from McGill University (2003), and he also leads his own Afro-latin Funk Jazz quintet, Jazzma (see his biography on www.dessydilauro.com for more information).
In the Fall of 2004, Dessy and Ric’key went on a two-month tour in France with multi platinum selling recording artist, Corneille, as she sang back up vocal. She is also featured on his sophomore album, “Marchand de Rêves” (Deja Musique, 2005).
Dessy Di Lauro is a name you will not forget.
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