Laura Landsberg
Naturally
Naturally is one of the most inspiring vocal contributions I have had the luck to listen to in many years. As an evolving vocal artist of great depth, Laura
has defined her rich life in music with such elegance and honesty that this collection of classic compositions from the American song form will communicate and uplift all in it's sonic path.
Laura simply loves music, and her choice to have some of the greatest musicians'on the planet support was made through the pursuit of exposing long time relationships and shared experiences - this is in the true tradition of a group contribution, and almost never pursued by vocalists. This makes for a stellar backdrop to Laura's singing while maintaining the highest standard of contemporary jazz performance.
Her Father, Ian McDougall is arguably the greatest trombonist in jazz today, and indeed, was my first real inspiration to pursue music totally. Her husband, Paul Landsberg contributes such intimate artistry on his choice of guitars that his selflessness belies his incredible virtuosity on his instrument. Neil Swainson on bass ( of George Shearing fame), Craig Scott on drums and Pacific Salt college of Ian's for over thirty years, Ron Johnston on piano also have long time playing relationships that make every performance seem like they were just having an intimate conversation, but always pushing the creative edges that make Laura's intensely personal vocals shine even more.
The choice of compositions presented here are a beautiful combination of pure music from our time, yet have all been personalized by the understated and serene arrangements and performances. This is a collection of sound frameworks that seems to have naturally evolved from Laura's passion and
dedication to the melody of life above all.
Naturally is one of the most honest, beautiful and rich statements I have heard for a very long time, and I look forward to hearing from this great Canadian artist more and more as we all become increasingly aware of this great musical gem in our midst.
Thank you, Laura!
Dr. Hugh Fraser
Director of Jazz Studies,
The University of Victoria,
Juno Award winning jazz trombonist, pianist and composer
LAURA LANDSBERG BIO
A singer tells stories in song, but sometimes the songs tell the stories of a singer and Laura Landsberg’s newest release Naturally, tells us a story of Laura. “I was born in London, England while my father was playing with Johnny Dankworth, and he used to play Laura to me on his trombone when I was a baby,” Landsberg says with a tinge of shyness. Laura Landsberg, daughter of world-renowned trombonist and composer Ian McDougall, is joined on Naturally, by her father and by her husband, guitarist Paul Landsberg, making this not only a musical biography but also a family affair.
Landsberg has been leading a busy life as a wife, a mother to six children, and as an accountant and a jazz singer. With so many responsibilities, something had to give and her singing had been reserved for her children and the performances she had in a duo with her husband. Living in Nelson B.C., she had a perfect setting in which to raise her family and the small town culture allowed her to sing, as time would permit. She has been able to sing a lot and her credits speak for themselves. Landsberg has performed with Desafinado, a Brazilian group out of Spokane, played the Kaslo Jazz Festival, the Sandpoint Jazz Festival in Idaho, performed with Chris Brubeck, the bass playing son of Dave Brubeck, as well as appearing with the Spokane Jazz Orchestra, Hugh Fraser and VEJI (Vancouver Ensemble of Jazz Improvisation).
Now, with five children grown and only one remaining home, Landsberg has found herself strongly pulled back to the music and this marks a start of a new direction for her. With the accounting business in the books and a full-time music career on the books, it was time to put together a band and record. Landsberg was clear on two musicians – her father and her husband. “I knew I had to record with Paul, we’re soul mates and I couldn’t have done it without him, not to mention that he is such a great musician and I always love what happens musically when we’re together. I left the rest of the choices to Dad and he was great at putting together a group of musicians that could capture the spirit of the music I wanted to make,” says Landsberg. Naturally, features Ian McDougall (trombone,) Paul Landsberg (guitar), Ron Johnston (piano), Neil Swainson (bass), and Craig Scott (drums).
The songs here are drawn from the popular songbooks that have provided the great repertoire for jazz and blues musicians alike; in part, a little of what Laura Landsberg is about – a little bossa nova, a little more jazz, a lot of blues. Opening with the Antonio Carlos Jobim classic Dindi, Paul and Laura start out together, showing off her romantic bossa nova side paired with his classical guitar that has the band sneaking in later to set up a trombone solo from father that brings romanticism to its very core. Following on this is Please Send Me Somebody to Love – a down home blues that takes us away from Rio de Janeiro and puts us firmly into Chicago; here, Laura gets back to her roots while Paul’s guitar sings the blues in a solo that speaks to a melancholy joy. This is where we really get to experience the journey and uniqueness that is Laura Landsberg, as comfortable as a world romantic as she is getting down home! Perhaps as a tribute to her children or perhaps as a tribute to Miles Davis, Bye Bye Blackbird follows this blues. Here again we experience that Landsberg ease and complexity – this track swings and swings hard. Here, Landsberg scats a solo showing her own musical character and as a gesture of respect to one of her musical icons and influences, Ella Fitzgerald. Naturally, features a number of selections that are signature songs for other singers, Frank Sinatra and All the Way, Mahalia Jackson and Come Sunday, and Astrid Gilberto and Dindi. What stands out in Landsberg’s rendition of these classics is her uniqueness – she has a vocal elegance that is unique and a sound of her own. It is this purity lead CBC Jazz Radio host Paul Grant to say “With so many singers trying to sound like someone else, it’s a treat to hear Laura Landsberg’s fresh and original voice, she’s a natural.”
Naturally, is an impressive debut recording with a lot of ingredients; a collection of classic melodies with a natural arrangement and interpretation; a musical bond between a father and his daughter; a wife musically entwined with her husband. All of this results in a musical collection that speaks to the heart while exciting the soul. Laura Landsberg is an original and as Hugh Fraser, the Juno Award winning leader of VEJI, put it, “Quite simply, Laura is a Canadian gem that must be heard.” Naturally!
Laura Landsberg Naturally (LL001)
Artist Contact: Laura Landsberg (250) 354-1662
Email: laura@lauralandsberg.ca
Website: www.lauralandsberg.ca
Read more...