Jazz Vocalist Russ Lorenson Debuts At Metropolitan Room With “Standard Time”

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct 01, 2008 -
Did the Great American Songbook stop being written in 1959? Russ Lorenson doesn’t think so, and has a show full of "new standards" to prove his point that well-crafted songs with meaningful lyrics are still being written today, just waiting to be interpreted by thoughtful, jazz-inspired vocalists. Standard Time features great songs all written within the last 20 years by composers such as Harry Connick, Jr., John Pizzarelli, Michael Feinstein, Kelly Park, Ray Jessel, Andrew Lippa, Peter Cincotti - and even Russ Lorenson himself!

In addition to making his debut at The Metropolitan Room, Lorenson’s shows there will be recorded for release as a live CD in 2009. Many of the songwriters whose work is featured in the show have been invited to attend the performances, including Michael Feinstein, Andrew Lippa, Bob Levy, Harriet Goldberg, Francesca Blumenthal, Ronny Whyte, Ray Jessel, John Pizzarelli, and Tony DeSare.

About Russ Lorenson
Russ Lorenson (http://www.russlorenson.com) has established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading interpreters of jazz standards, with a sound and  approach that place him at the intersection of jazz, Broadway, and pop – the very essence of the Great American Songbook. Jazz Review says that “Lorenson is not just a crooner covering the traditional Sinatra style or trying to be the next Connick; he is his own man.”

Nominated for a 2007 MAC Award by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, Russ Lorenson’s passion for the stage started as a youngster, with a performing career that began at age seven in his home town of Philadelphia. As an actor he has appeared in award-winning musical productions with theatre companies throughout the US, and has toured with the National Theatre for Children. As a vocalist he has toured the US, UK and Europe, appearing in concert with such luminaries as Broadway stars Karen Mason (Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard) and Dale Kristien (Phantom of the Opera), "Queen of Cabaret" Andrea Marcovicci, jazz diva Wesla Whitfield, and as the opening act for the legendary Eartha Kitt.

Lorenson is best known for his critically-acclaimed tribute to an American music icon in his show, Benedetto/Blessed: Celebrating the Life and Music of Tony Bennett. Lorenson’s salute to the man whom Frank Sinatra called "the best singer in the business" premiered in 2006 as the opening act for the legendary Eartha Kitt. Since then, the show has enjoyed sold-out runs across the country, including San Francisco's Empire Plush Room, Sterling’s Upstairs in Los Angeles, Milwaukee’s Wilson Center for the Arts, and New York's famed Iridium Jazz Club. Lorenson’s previous nightclub show, A Little Travelin’ Music, played to sold-out audiences on both coasts. His debut CD, of the same name, was released in May 2006 on the LML Music label and features songs from the show and includes duets with special guests Shawn Ryan and Klea Blackhurst. His second CD, the jazzy holiday collection What I Want For Christmas, was also released on LML Music in 2006, and has received extensive radio airplay in major markets across the US. Both CD’s were included in the initial Nominating Ballot for the 2006 Grammy Awards.

ATTENTION CALENDAR EDITORS:
SECTION: Music/Nightlife
WHAT: Russ Lorenson in Standard Time. The jazz vocalist explores the Great American Songbook of the last 20 years.
WHEN: Saturday, October 25, 9:45pm and Tuesday, October 28 at 9:30pm.
WHERE: The Metropolitan Room, 34 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010
TICKETS: $25 per person, plus 2-beverage minimum, available by phone at (212) 206-0440.

ATTENTION REVIEWERS:
Russ Lorenson is available for interviews, and review copies of his CD’s are available through RL Productions at (415) 674-3863. Please contact George Russell (george@rl-productions.biz) to arrange.

ATTENTION PHOTO EDITORS:
High-res images of Russ Lorenson can be downloaded at http://www.russlorenson.com/epk.htm.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10123633/1