JAZZBIRD NIGHTS: LAUREN HOOKER & FRIENDS

New to the Phoenix area, Lauren Hooker is a multi-talented vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, lyricist, educator, producer and, via her Arts in Education company: Musical Legends, a celebrated storyteller.

She will perform selections on voice (and a few on piano) from her critically acclaimed CDs which include her original lyrics set to compositions by Thelonious Monk, Fats Waller, Charles Mingus and Wayne Shorter, and some jazz standards. She is joined by a star studded group of musicians that includes saxophonist and flautist, Dr. Clark Gibson who has recently been appointed Director of Education at The Nash; guitarist Howard Alden whom Downbeat named a “Modern Maestro” and one of the 75 Greatest Guitarists of all time; bassist John Donnelly who hails as one of the most sought after bassists from the NYC Metropolitan area via San Fransisco, and drummer Sheila Earley who worked with Norman Simmons, Marlena Shaw and Carol Sloane in NYC. Earley is also the featured drummer with We3 here in the valley with pianist Nicole Pesce.

Having recently moved from the New York Metropolitan area to be closer to family, Lauren Hooker has already performed twice at The Nash in Phoenix, The Phoenix Center for the Arts, Tempe Festival of the Arts, Sacred Grounds Jazz Coffee House, numerous restaurants in the Valley, and most recently, has been appointed Music Director of the Church of the Beatitudes in Phoenix singing and playing piano for their Sunday Services with a great line up of guest artists.

Her critically acclaimed CDs, featuring some of NYC’s finest jazz musicians, have garnered her an “Honorable Mention” for her debut co-produced by bassist Rufus Reid as one of AllAboutJazz’s Best Vocal CDs in ‘07. She is in Royal Stokes’ List of “Best Jazz Vocal CDs” for her second CD in 2011, and she won a “Jazz Twirlie Award” for her third in 2011 for Jazz Vocals. She has appeared on numerous television and radio stations in the U.S. and abroad and is currently working on her 4th CD that she recorded with Mal Waldron (Billie Holiday’s former pianist) back in the 80’s entitled “The Lost Tapes – Mal and Me”.

Out of a flood of raving reviews Jazz Times writes, “Undeniably impressive… Certainly imaginative… Can hold her own against pretty much any singer-songwriter in the business. She has the ability to add lyrics to instrumental classics and is flat-out masterful”. All About Jazz LA states, “Here’s a vocalist that is going to knock you off your chair… hits a double off the wall… her voice – rich, confident and assured – like Dianne Reeves, pitch perfect” and All About Jazz New York says, “Hooker possesses a voice of many shades and uses them well. Her low notes are reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan’s bottom range and there’s a hint of Dinah Washington’s energy…but her sound and style are unique.” Make sure to stop by Jazzbird Nights and see her magnificent talent for yourself!

THE GRATEFUL SHARK CATERING

—Share Boxes—

Meat & Cheese Share Box $15

smoked ham, salami, prosciutto, roasted turkey, domestic & imported cheeses, fresh fruit, olives, pickles, whole grain mustard, crackers

Roasted Garlic Hummus Share Box $8

hummus, raw vegetables olives, pita bread

Grilled Vegetable Box $12

zucchini, tomato, onion, squash, asparagus, broccoli, corn, pita bread, balsamic vinaigrette

—Salads, Side, & Soups—

Smoked Salmon Salad $16

smoked salmon, red potato, hard cooked egg, green beans, tomato, red onion, olives, capers, dill vinaigrette

Side Caesar Salad $6

parmesan cheese, romaine, croutons, caesar dressing

Wild Salmon Caeser Salad or Chicken Caeser Salad Entree $13/$11

organic romaine, parmesan cheese, croutons, caesar dressing

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail $8

with lemon & cocktail sauce

Tomato Basil Soup Cup $6

—Entree—

Rosemary Garlic Prime Rib $22

buttery mashed potatoes, bistro vegetables, horseradish, gravy, roll & butter

—Sweets—

Red Velvet Cake $5

white chocolate & cream cheese icing

—Intermission Special—

Homemade Brownies with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream & Warm Caramel Sauce $6