AFTER DARK -
On her latest release, “After Dark”, Halie’s warm and sultry voice unites with a lighter, upbeat sound that incorporates a variety of latin beats on such standards as Jobim’s ‘Waters of March’, her own originals, and jazzified classics from other genres, such as snappy, jazzy versions of Joni Mitchell’s ‘Carey’ and Stevie Wonder’s ‘Happier Than the Morning Sun.
Loren’s originals are gems of the album, once again highlighting her songwriting talent and ability to merge pop sensibility with jazz intuition, while showcasing her diverse vocal renderings. Her ability to uniquely interpret jazz standards in Portuguese, French (including an English/French duet version of ‘Beyond the Sea’ with Northwest singer/songwriter John Shipe), and a wonderful latin/jazz version of the modern Italian hit, ‘Time to Say Goodbye’, help to make this one of the most challenging and refreshing albums Loren has recorded to date. Halie Loren’s definition of ‘jazz’ is wide and deep and she has the impressive vocal abilities to carry the listener across genres and eras with seamless, beautiful ease.
Backing Musicians on this album once again include Loren’s regular backing trio of top-notch musicians - Matt Treder (Piano/Keyboards), who also co-produced the album, Mark Schneider (Bass), and Brian West (Drums). Additional guest musicians: Jack Jezzro (Electric/Acoustic Guitars), Bryan Cumming (Clarinet/Saxophone), Denis Solee (Clarinet/Whistling), Dale Bradley (Cello), Chris Ward (Acoustic Guitar), and Rick Chudacoff (Hand Percussion).
HALIE LOREN BIO -
Hailing from Alaska and Oregon, Halie Loren is an internationally recognized artist whose rich and sensitively delivered vocals have garnered her numerous awards and fans from around the world. Often compared to the likes of Norah Jones, Melody Gardot and Eva Cassidy, Loren has a uniqueness in her music that transcends genres and opens up new ways of thinking about familiar songs, whether they be jazz, pop, classic rock, folk…With Loren’s artistic interpretations, there’s no limit to where she can and will go vocally.
Loren is also an award-winning songwriter, with a style of new-yet-somehow-familiar songs that fit seamlessly alongside well-loved classics. Her 2008 jazz release, 'They Oughta Write a Song', won ‘Best Vocal Jazz Album’ at the 2009 JPF Music awards, the largest independent music awards in the world, closely followed by an acclaimed live album, ‘Stages’, that proved she’s just as good in live performances as in the studio. In early 2010, she was signed by JVC/Victor Entertainment for distribution throughout Asia, where her albums have repeatedly reached the coveted #1 position on Amazon.com and HMV.com Japan and have been charting on both jazz and pop radio.
Loren’s tour expanded beyond the continental US in 2010, including performances in British Columbia, Hawaii, and two tours in Japan. Most recently, she was in Tokyo, where she was a featured headliner at the Ginza Jazz Festival, and embarked on a promotional campaign for her newest CD, ‘After Dark’. She begins touring throughout the US in support of “After Dark”, which released worldwide on 11/16/2010.
*** WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT HALIE LOREN ***
It’s hard to imagine Halie Loren not being a star. With a masterful voice that’s part Etta James and part Sarah McLachlan, a subtle touch that allows her to blend vulnerability and sensuality unlike any other artist currently in jazz or pop music, and a talent for phrasing that’s uncanny, Halie Loren is the complete package… there will be little doubt to those in the know that After Dark is one of the finest vocal jazz albums of 2010. (Wildy Haskell – Read the rest of the CD review at www.wildysworld.blogspot.com)
She is, in every sense of the word, an artist ….with four albums under her belt, she reveals an almost auteur-like level of involvement in every aspect of her craft. (Rick Levine – Eugene Weekly)
Halie Loren is hands-down one of the best vocalists we play. Her vocal presence is front and center-gorgeous, fluid, and full of life's emotional highs and lows. Just listening to one of her live recordings will clarify that her vocal talent is all natural and not a studio creation. (www.womenofsubstanceradio.com).
“Halie Loren has displayed the rare ability of being able to make the most familiar song sound fresh and relevant, and a talent at transforming unlikely material into jazz.” (Scott Yanow, Jazz Reviewer, LA Jazz Scene Monthly)
"Halie Loren has a voice that defines a true artist; one that comes from a deep emotional place. She puts an ultimate truth and personal soul into each and every note she sings. As a producer, never has a voice moved me more than Halie's!" (Rick Chudacoff, Producer/Songwriter, Nashville/LA)
"...Loren delights jazz lovers with a mixture of mandatory classics, timeless originals, and unexpected remakes. Her smooth and sultry voice belies her young age, making her poised to reach the ranks of modern jazz stardom. " (April Jones, MusicDish)
“I have been a fan of Halie Loren since 15 seconds into "Maybe I'll Fly," the first track off her debut album, ‘Full Circle’. I knew at that moment that this woman and her amazing voice had something special going on, and Halie's latest album, They Oughta Write a Song, is nothing but further confirmation of my initial impression.” (Michael Fiegel, www.AllThatJazz.com)
“... I found once again that her voice was able to wrap me up and takes me away.” (Keith Hannaleck, www.muzikreviews.com)
"Knowing that Halie Loren is a young artist, already a masterful vocalist, interpreter and song-writer, you can't help but grin anticipating what sublime music she'll record next….." (David Gizara, Host of Thursday Night Jazz, KLCC Public Radio – Eugene, Oregon)
“Singer-songwriter Halie Loren is a stellar new talent whose exquisite vocals touch the emotions and awaken the soul. My listeners love her playful, sultry, jazzy arrangements. I play her regularly on my show.” (DrB of Mana'o Radio, Maui, Hawaii.}
“Halie Loren has such talent and a passion for what she does with her music. Halie should be not only nation wide, but world wide with her music.” (DJ Rome, KRVM Radio, Eugene, Oregon)
“Wow! Hearing cuts from the CD for the first time. Wow. Double wow. Just wanted to congratulate you on what sure sounds like a Masterpiece. Wow... I feel the same sort of wonder I felt when I first heard Eva Cassidy.” (Jim Kloss, Whole Wheat Radio - www.wholewheatradio.net)
“Halie Loren-Intelligent, unique, original, gifted. It's difficult to find enough words to describe the incredible talent of this young artist. Quite simply, she is everything that is good about music. From the moment I heard her warm sensual voice and beautiful, textured phrasing, I was completely blown away. … One of those rare artists that I believe could take any song from any genre and make it her very own.” (Rob Lardie, www.CDReviewsbyyou.com)
“This album hits all the right notes from start to finish as Halie Loren sounds as if she were born to sing jazz. They Oughta Write A Song deserves to take a place among the great vocal jazz albums... Loren's silky alto slides through the songs here like a hot knife through butter…smooth and full of a sensual grace.” (W. Haskel/Independent Music Reviews)
“I received today the two albums and I'm in heaven, they are wonderful and your voice is so angelic, so pure and intense. You are made for jazz.” (Sabine De Greef, http://withmusicinmymind.blogspot.com/, Belgium)
"To truly capture so much emotion in one's voice is true art; to express it is a gift indeed. ..Halie's pliable voice does every note full justice weaving beauty into every measure." (Annette Conlon, www.netteradio.com.)
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