Laura Dreyer, a native of the San Francisco Bay Area, has established
herself as a vital member of the New York jazz scene. Always drawn to Brazilian
music, the composer, educator and multi-instrumentalist created a "latinized"
fusion incorporating elements of jazz, funk, and rock.
Dreyer was a
founding member and contributing arranger for the big band DIVA. In this
capacity, she worked with luminaries Dave Brubeck, Rosemary Clooney, Dee Dee
Bridgewater, Slide Hampton and Clark Terry, among others. Additionally she has
performed with Dr. Billy Taylor, Mel Lewis, Robert Palmer, Nnenna Freelon, Lea
Delaria, Leny Andrade and Portinho. She was a band member for the award-winning
musicals "Hot and Sweet" and the Duke Ellington tribute, "Hit Me
With A Hot Note."
The National
Endowment for the Arts awarded Dreyer grants in performance and professional
jazz study/composition. She participated in the BMI Jazz Composer's Workshop
and four of her songs have received an honorable mention in Billboard
Magazine's songwriting contests. Dreyer has been
active as an educator, and continues to write for music publications.
Of her current work
she says, "I discovered an intrinsic emotional quality in Brazilian music
that helped me find a deeper level of self-expression. After having performed
many times with Brazilian jazz artists throughout the years in New York City
and Brazil, I began to envision recording my newest album in Rio de Janeiro. I
had worked with world-class Rio-based jazz artists in Brazil, and realized that
I had found the perfect group of musicians to perform my music and complete my
vision."
In the spirit of
creating a multi- cultural recording, vocalist and music educator Professor
Roger Wesby wrote lyrics in Spanish for one of Dreyer's compositions. Brazilian
vocalist Débora Watts adapted these lyrics to Portuguese, and penned lyrics to
another one of Dreyer's songs. Vocalist Teri Koide contributed her vocal
talents and English lyrics to another piece, and Karen Rodriguez helped with
further Spanish lyrics and stellar vocals. The repertoire was completed with
the addition of two arrangements of a composition by the legendary Romeo
Santos.
The 14 tracks of
the CD were recorded in the historic neighborhood of Santa Teresa with engineer
Carlos Fuchs at his state of the art studio. Dreyer concludes,
"I am grateful that the magic I felt during the recording session, and my
passion for the fascinating sounds of Brazil, are captured on Vida. Arte.
Amor."
TRACKS
Caminhos Novos
Beauty & The
Beast
Ping Pong
La Pena El Placer
(Portuguese Version)
Beijo del Sol (Rio
Version)
Spring St.
Vale La Pena El
Placer
O Outro Lado do Seu
Amor
Perdendo Voce
A Somba Se Foi
Until Daybreak
Arcade
A Danca dos
Cacharros
Perdiendote
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