Biography
Brooklyn native Lori Bell performs on both C-flute and alto flute while composing and interpreting works that span contemporary jazz, Brazilian repertoire, and neo-classical forms. She began her training in classical technique under the guidance of Frederick Baker, Damian Bursill-Hall, Judith Mendenhall, Claude Monteux, and Phil Cohen. After relocating to California she shifted her focus toward jazz and established herself in that scene. Her first album, Love Will Win, appeared on the Discovery label with pianist Dave Mackay and bassist Andy Simpkins; the recording earned praise from critic Leonard Feather and brought Bell a 1983 Grammy nomination for best new artist. In 1989 she released Take Me to Brazil on the same imprint, presenting her own original pieces that drew on her affinity for Brazilian music and received favorable notice in the Los Angeles Times. Over subsequent years her live appearances took her to the Wadsworth Theater, the Neurosciences Institute, the Kennedy Center, and the Vic. In 1998 she rejoined Mackay and enlisted guitarist-vocalist Ron Satterfield to form the trio Interplay; their debut release was placed on the 1999 Grammy ballot in four categories, one of which was best jazz solo. Bell’s self-titled Beeswax album from 2002 earned five Grammy nominations from the awards panel, encompassing best instrumental arrangement, best composition, and best instrumental solo. Among the West Coast musicians with whom she has collaborated are William Aura, George Nelson, Kevin Koch, Duncan Moore, Chip Davis, Tom Barabas, Checkfield, Mike Garson, Peter Sprague, David Enos, Ellyn Rucker, Dennis Bono, Arturo Velasco, Enzo Todesco, Tamir Handelman, and Angelo Metz. She appeared at the National Flute Association’s 2003 annual conference, toured the program “From Bach to Bebop,” and produced the 2008 Resonance Records release The Music of Djavan. Bell currently teaches both classical flute technique and jazz improvisation at San Diego State University.
Albums
