Spotlight: Laurie Lefevre

5/9/2013

Year started playing/singing: I started singing folk music at Whitmer High School in the 1970s as well as jazz and musical theater.

Musical education or background: I have been involved in all of the arts and have a masters of education degree. I was Jon Hendricks' graduate assistant at the University of Toledo two years ago. My mom was a professional vocalist as well. I was blessed to be mentored by the wealth of Toledo jazz masters, including Mark Kieswetter, Gene Parker, Claude Black, and Jim Lee, and I sang at Rusty's, Murphy's, and The Bird of Paradise in Ann Arbor.

Influences: Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Irene Krall, Nancy Wilson.

Sounds a little bit like: Ella Fitzgerald.

Upcoming gigs: May 22, Jazz on the Maumee, Grand Plaza Aqua Bar 5:30-7:30 p.m.; May 31, DeGage Jazz Cafe, Maumee 7:30-11:30 p.m.; Zinful, Waterville 7:30-10:30 p.m. June 9, Bar 145, Jazz on the Patio 5-8 p.m.

Web site: reverbnation.com/lorilefevre

CDs: My CD , "The Song is You" is available on CDBaby, iTunes, and Amazon.