Biography
A native of the Bronx, Laurie Krauz brings an adaptable approach to jazz singing that ranges from forceful, earthy, and robustly swinging to moments of delicate introspection. She commands solid technique, with scat as one of her notable strengths, yet she avoids displays of virtuosity for its own sake and rejects the notion that technical facility alone defines artistry. Instead, she approaches lyrics with deliberate care, a quality frequently noted by those who follow her work.
Her inspirations draw from several prominent jazz singers. Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, and Dianne Reeves figure prominently among them, while the bold experiments of Annie Ross, Sheila Jordan, and, to a lesser extent, Betty Carter have also left their mark. Krauz departs from Carter’s consistently abstract and cerebral style, favoring greater accessibility, and her voice carries more volume than Jordan’s. Depending on her current disposition, she may lean toward funky, blues-inflected delivery or adopt a more thoughtful stance.
Born August 18, 1955, Krauz started piano lessons at age five. Upon reaching adulthood she had no intention of pursuing music professionally. While enrolled at Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania between 1973 and 1976, she treated music as a secondary pursuit; after moving back to New York City for further study at New York University, she completed an MBA with an emphasis on finance and banking. She spent time on Wall Street following graduation before gradually shifting her energies toward the arts.
During the mid-1980s she focused on musical theater and traveled across the United States and Canada with a theatrical company. Later she recognized improvisational jazz singing as her true vocation and placed it at the center of her efforts. Along the way she trained with respected jazz vocalists Carla White and the inventive Mark Murphy. Throughout the 1990s she maintained a strong presence on the Manhattan jazz circuit, sharing stages with tenor saxophonist George Coleman, acoustic pianist Harold Mabern, cornetist Warren Vaché, and others.
Acoustic pianist Daryl Kojak has accompanied her regularly in New York and contributed substantially to her debut recording, Catch Me If You Can. Issued in 2001 on the independent LML Music label, the album lists Krauz and Kojak as producers, with Kojak also credited as arranger and musical director. Krauz has held the position of president for the New York City chapter of the Jazz Vocal Coalition.
Her inspirations draw from several prominent jazz singers. Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, and Dianne Reeves figure prominently among them, while the bold experiments of Annie Ross, Sheila Jordan, and, to a lesser extent, Betty Carter have also left their mark. Krauz departs from Carter’s consistently abstract and cerebral style, favoring greater accessibility, and her voice carries more volume than Jordan’s. Depending on her current disposition, she may lean toward funky, blues-inflected delivery or adopt a more thoughtful stance.
Born August 18, 1955, Krauz started piano lessons at age five. Upon reaching adulthood she had no intention of pursuing music professionally. While enrolled at Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania between 1973 and 1976, she treated music as a secondary pursuit; after moving back to New York City for further study at New York University, she completed an MBA with an emphasis on finance and banking. She spent time on Wall Street following graduation before gradually shifting her energies toward the arts.
During the mid-1980s she focused on musical theater and traveled across the United States and Canada with a theatrical company. Later she recognized improvisational jazz singing as her true vocation and placed it at the center of her efforts. Along the way she trained with respected jazz vocalists Carla White and the inventive Mark Murphy. Throughout the 1990s she maintained a strong presence on the Manhattan jazz circuit, sharing stages with tenor saxophonist George Coleman, acoustic pianist Harold Mabern, cornetist Warren Vaché, and others.
Acoustic pianist Daryl Kojak has accompanied her regularly in New York and contributed substantially to her debut recording, Catch Me If You Can. Issued in 2001 on the independent LML Music label, the album lists Krauz and Kojak as producers, with Kojak also credited as arranger and musical director. Krauz has held the position of president for the New York City chapter of the Jazz Vocal Coalition.
Albums