With a contralto voice that's described as soulful, strong and sweet...
She's a contemporary jazz singer on the edges of pop, soul and the blues. Lorraine Gervais is a gifted singer and performer with a way of taking her audiences on heartfelt journies - from serious to lighthearted, sultry to playful - with a unique style all her own.
The basics: born and raised on the west coast of Ca., she started singing at public events when she was 5 along with her mother, a classically trained singer, and then moved on to follow in the footsteps of her blues singing grandmother at the age of 15, singing in nightclubs, festivals, commercials and soundtracks. Lorraine's had a steady career since the 70's spanning everything from pop to rock to R&B and jazz. She’s opened for acts including the Pointer Sisters, Etta James, the Charlie Hunter Band, Pete Escavedo and John Hammond. Based out of Nevada City, Ca., widely known as the cultural center of the arts in the Northern Sierra Nevada, she regularly performs in clubs and concerts venues with her band.
"Lorraine Gervais is one of jazz's great voices. Her silky highs and warmly resonant midrange is her's alone. ..” Jazz Chronicles
ALBUM REVIEW:
KVMR Listener’s Guide
August/September 2007 Issue 89
Mark Leviton, Reviewer, DJ
http://www.kvmr.org/personalities/m_leviton.html
Lorraine Gervais
A World Apart
“Lorraine Gervais possesses that mysterious ability to sing lyrics and make them sound as if she’s just thought of them and is sharing in a conversation. Her diction is impeccable, her mid-range voice full of resonance, and she draws on a variety of jazz, pop and folk influences. There are echoes of Diana Krall, Laura Nyro, and Norah Jones in her singing and songwriting, and she has an erotic way of placing herself inside mostly mid-tempo instrumental cushions. Lorraine can take a word like “forget” and give it three notes, a subtle trill that is beautifully fluid. Although she includes excellent versions of songs associated with Bonnie Raitt (“The Glow”), Aretha Franklin (“Until You Come Back To Me”), Joni Mitchell (“Edith & The Kingpin” and the Carpenters (“A Song For You”), her own compositions hold their own. The opening original “As You”, includes an outstanding vibes solo from Bob Villwock and work from guitarists Tom Bethky and Alan Kuehne, and “Cool Water” showcases Lorraine’s sensual lyric images; she likes to write about how her skin feels and what whispers sound like.
In “Are You Real” she sings “Are you real/Can I count on you for anything that might come along/You make me feel/There’s a value in my emotions right or wrong”, and brings the listener fully into a troubled love song. A World Apart is a very accomplished piece of work all the way through.”
LIVE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS :
“Lorraine Gervais has a unique sound reminiscent of Randy Crawford singing with the Crusaders in the 80's or Cassandra Wilson, but one that is totally her own. ..... . With a deep contralto voice that is full of soul and heart, she took us on a wild ride of some familiar lyrics with a new twist on the melody - 60's rock and folk with a big infusion of jazz. ..... Lorraine is also a composer and she brought us a couple of her original tunes, one of them, Cool Water, was absolutely wonderful, the lyrics inspired by Lake Tahoe. .... it was pretty obvious that this lady could take a nursery rhyme and turn it into a soulful hit. ...” Vivian Lee, Savanna’s Jazz Series, Sacramento, Ca.
"...Lorraine Gervais IS the Chanteuse of Jazz in Nevada City/Grass Valley...her concert before a packed house at Music in the Mountains spring fest gave proof of her exalted status among jazz lovers...her velvet smooth voice, accompanied so ably by the jazz trio of Bob Villwock, piano, Joe Dolister, bass and Lew Langworthy, drums, delivered a delicious mix of original material and arrangements of standards to a delighted and responsive audience...kudos to all for an attention grabbing and exciting evening of song..." Paul Perry - Artistic Director - Music In The Mountains, Grass Valley Ca.
Some recent concert appearances include:
• Sacramento Jazz Festival - ‘07
• Music In The Mountains Spring Concert Fest - ‘07
• Savanna’s Jazz Series - ‘07
• Crocker Art Museum Jazz Series, Sacaramento - ‘07
• PowerUp Fest - ‘06
• Auburn Jazz Festival - ‘06
• Nevada City Jazz Festival- ‘06
New Album May 2007, ‘A World Apart’ - an eclectic mix of originals and covers including Joni Mitchell, Aretha, Leon Russell and Bonnie Raitt...
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