Bio

"I was born into music ... hearing my dad jam with his fellow jazz musicians in the basement ... starting piano lessons at age four ... meeting Bill Evans at the Vanguard  whom my father recorded with in college ... being exposed to and singing most of the major oratorios by age fifteen...shaking hands with Duke Ellington and Dave Brubeck whose sacred works my dad's chorus, the New Jersey Schola Cantorum, performed...reaching for Sarah Vaughan's range, Ella's scat, Miles Davis' tone and Coltrane's intention. I was not only encouraged, but expected to be a musician, and a well-rounded one at that ... one who could compose, play, sing, arrange and educate."

LAUREN HOOKER is not just a singer. She's a consummate musician. Her voice is her instrument.

Her unique and special talent was recognized early in life and it has developed into the sophisticated, hip vocalist, composer, and lyricist she is today. She came onto the jazz scene in the early 80's, fresh out of Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in Music Education where her father, musician/conductor Louis Hooker, was a distinguished member of the faculty and chairman of the Fine Arts Department. Lauren continued post-graduate work in jazz theory with pianist Kenny Barron at Rutgers University, jazz voice with Sheila Jordan at the Manhattan School of Music and private studies in jazz piano with Keith McDonald and vocal coach Paul Gallagher. She has been featured in many major venues in the New York metropolitan area including Sweetwaters, the West End Café, 55 Bar, Trumpets, Lounge Zen, the Angry Squire, as well as the Dewar's and Greenwich Village Jazz Festivals and continues to perform regularly in regional cafes and restaurants.

One of the highlights of Lauren's career occurred in 1989 when she recorded with legendary pianist/composer Mal Waldron, singing her original lyrics set to Mal's composition, "The Seagulls of Kristiansund." Lauren's composition, "Choices," was premiered in 1992 at the Business and Professional Women's 78th National Convention in Minneapolis. Her show, "Jazz Expressions", a multi-media experience combining original music, dance, poetry and photography was premiered in 1997 at New Jersey's Puffin Cultural Forum with bassist Calvin Hill and pianist Tomoko Ohno. She has appeared on a variety of television shows such as "Broadway to Business," "For Arts Sake," and "Life of Music." and has performed or recorded with many noted musicians including Michael Cochrane, Allen Farnham, Vic Juris, Rufus Reid, Warren Smith, Tim Horner, Bill Moring and Reggie Workman, to name a few.

Lauren Hooker's jazz repertoire highlights her near three octave range and features original compositions as well as instrumental standards set to her own lyrics and arrangements, putting her in the company of some of the most talented musicians in the business.

Highlights: 1984 - Present

PERFORMED AND/OR RECORDED WITH:

John Bianculli, Belden Bullock, Rahn Burton, Michael Cochrane, Roy Cumming, Loren Daniels, Glenn Davis, Santi Debriano, Dena DeRose, Bob Devos, John DiMartino, Leon Dorsey, Vince Ector, Allen Farnham, Mac Goldsberry, Freddie Hendrix, Calvin Hill, Tim Horner, Chip Jackson, Vic Juris, Andy McCloud, Cecil McBee, Maryanne McSweeney, Paul Meyers, Allison Miller, Bill Moring, Steve Nelson, Tomoko Ohno, Rufus Reid, Warren Smith, Frederick Waites, Mal Waldron, Bobby Watson and Reggie Workman

TELEVISION CREDITS:

“Broadway to Business”, Warner Brothers, RCN, NYC.

"The Enquiring Naturalist", Q.P.T.V., Queens, NY.

"For Arts Sake", C.T.N. Cable Television, East Brunswick, NJ.

"Life of the Music", Public Access TV, Channel 34, White Plains, NY.

“Neighborhood Journal”, Cablevision, NJ.

VOICE OVER CREDITS:

"The Beautiful", Marlies Yearby, Director, BRIC Studios, Brooklyn NY.

"Gemstone Geenies", Peter Pan Records, Hillside Sound Studios, Englewood, NJ.

"Professional Women in New Jersey"(Promotional Film) Tru Color Labs, Paramus, NJ.

"NASA", (Educational Program) Fox Studios, Rutherford, NJ.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Fairleigh Dickinson University, Bachelor of Arts: Music Education, (K-12).

Bank Street College, Masters course work.

Manhattan School of Music, Masters course work in conducting.

Bloomingdale House of Music, Orff Teacher Training.

Rutgers University: Jazz Theory with Kenny Barron

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING  

Paul Gallagher: Private Voice.

H B Studios, "Advanced Singing": George Axiltree.

Keith MacDonald: Piano (Jazz/Classical).

Manhattan School of Music: Jazz Workshop with Sheila Jordan.

Soprano, New Jersey Schola Cantorum, Louis Hooker - conductor.

Alto, Tenor, Ars Musica Chorale, Italo Marchini - conductor.

New York School for Commercial Music: Voice over workshop.

Omega Institute, Ubaka Hill: “Drum Song” - African Drumming Workshop.

Artist Teacher Institute: Ron McBee, Music; Candance Hunkley-Kamate, Dance.

Scholarship Recipient, Arts Horizons, William Paterson University.