Laura Hull has always had a song in her heart, and recently, a very persistent melody on her mind. It wasn’t long after Laura began piano lessons that she set about the task of writing her first original tune. Once the lyrics were written and the song transcribed, she sang it for the first time to a critical audience at a weekly singers showcase. The response was so enthusiastic, that Laura was inspired to return to keyboard and keypad and write more songs.
That initial effort, “Crescent Moon,” can be heard on Hullabaloo, Laura’s debut CD of all-original tunes, released May 2006 from Hullarious Records. “Moon” tells the whimsical tale of a young girl, smitten by romance, swinging from an imaginary crescent moon while singing her song of love to the stars.
Co-produced by pianist/arranger Patrick Firth, Hullabaloo is also a testament to Laura’s ongoing appreciation for music education and vocal interpretation.
The hypnotic “Spell Remains,” is a story of reflection about a woman at a crossroads in life, who recognizes there is so much to gain and just as much to lose when making choices, the song which garnered Laura an award from the Billboard World Songwriting Contest; In the jazzy, 40s-style “Vacancy in My Heart” a woman sings about making her dreams come true while looking for someone new, the song which garnered Laura a 2005 Great American Song Contest Honor Award. The rousing “Living Out Loud” celebrates the passion of a woman following her dreams.
Two songs are connected by a common and powerful theme, loss. Laura’s sparse yet weepy vocals on “Without a Word” convey a woman’s emotional pain when her man leaves her, and in the autobiographical “October Blue,” Laura poignantly writes and sings about missing her father. Both allow the listener to focus on the lyric and story, brought to life by the lush tones and phrasing of her vocals.
“Hullabaloo is about reflection, acceptance, and the perspective,” says Laura about the overriding themes of her new CD. “The title, Hullabaloo, conveys its meaning quite well – that of great noise and uproar. So wherever you are in life, remember, you're never too old to get loud – and make a big Hullabaloo!”
Laura’s journey into music began at the tender age of seven thanks to her dad who shared his love of music with his young daughter. When she played the lead role in an all-girls summer camp production of The King and I, Laura realized that even at seven, she could express herself through music.
A native of New York City, Laura spent her formative years singing at the resorts of upstate New York's fabled Catskill Mountains, where she practiced her craft performing with numerous bands and learned to sing in a variety of genres and styles. She later worked as a session singer for a major studio, jingle singer for several agencies, and showcased her singing at clubs in and around New York City.
Of course, there were the usual detours along the way. In 1979, Laura pursued a business career in corporate America and placed her music career on hold. Twenty-four years later, she launched her return to the stage with her one-woman show which played to excellent notices during a successful tri-city run. Before long, Laura landed an 18-month engagement hosting the live music program for a 4-star hotel. Producing quickly followed when Laura created Hullarious Productions, her boutique booking agency, followed by a consulting business that grew out of requests to provide coaching, creative, and business management services. In 2006, she executive produced and released “Hullabaloo,” her debut CD of original music under her Hullarious label, which garnered several songwriting awards and received major radio play around the U.S. Her original compositions have been licensed and her music is heard in domestic and international markets.
Laura’s distinctive vocal interpretations create her singular style. Her extensive repertoire is drawn from the American songbook and jazz standards, as well as her original music. She performs with best in class musicians drawn from the New York and New Jersey jazz scene, and has appeared at numerous venues and for private and corporate events. Laura is a member of Manhattan Artists and Cabarets, Recording Academy, and the New Jersey Jazz Society, where she serves as President.
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