Coming soon to India and Dubai!

I've signed a deal to tour later this year in India and Dubai.  I've always dreamed of seeing India, now I'll get to sing my way across.  It will be like a Bollywood movie!

http://prlog.org/12307424

More Than You Ever Wanted To Know About Me...

I'm up for consideration for an Independent Artist Award nomination in the jazz with vocals album category for "Necessary Evil." I filled out an amusing Q&A for it, telling a lot of stuff about me that I've never revealed before (why could I use only one hand when I made my first stage appearance?) and I'd really appreciate it if you'd check it out and share it on Facebook, etc. Very excited because this award is based solely on the quality of the music, and the judges include Judy Collins, Susanne Vega, Ann and Nancy Wilson, Laurie Anderson and Arturo Sandoval. I love the idea that even one of them would be forced to sit down and listen to me!

http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/2014/discover-artists-that-joined-the-13th-imas-laura-ainsworth/

Grammy nominations tonight!

I've been waiting months for this: Grammy nominations are announced tonight.  My new CD "Necessary Evil" is up for consideration in several categories.  (You can sample it here),so if you're iced in like us, please cross your fingers for me and send us some good vibes.

I've been waiting months for this, but I'm torn about it ending: Any Grammy recognition would mean so much for an indie artist like me who's trying to do something fresh in a category (traditional pop vocal) that's usually dominated by the same handful of big names doing the same handful of standards in the same ways. On the other hand, I know it's a huge longshot.  I'm keeping my hopes up, but telling myself that if we're passed over tonight, at least it was like Harold Hill's promise in "The Music Man": I enjoyed weeks of excitement and anticipation at no extra charge.

Celebrate Johnny Mercer's Birthday With a New Tribute Song!

On this day in 1909, in beautiful Savannah, Georgia, my #1 musical idol was born: Johnny Mercer. The very first singer/songwriter/star, and the greatest lyricist of the 20th century. Only Cole Porter and Larry Hart come near him. Here is a brilliant new song from my new album, "Necessary Evil," sent to me by fellow Mercer acolyte Lee Charles Kelley. When I heard it, I knew it had to be done with a full big band. See how many references to Mercer songs you can spot in both the lyrics and Brian Piper's genius arrangement. http://youtu.be/kB12IxwTY6I Lee knew I would do this up right after hearing my first CD, where I recorded "Skylark," "Midnight Sun" and "Personality," which Johnny didn't write but recorded. On "Necessary Evil," I do "Out of This World," "Hooray for Love" (not written by him, but inspired by his version) and "Last Train to Mercerville." We may never see his like again.

Radio interview tonight (Aug. 31)

Join me tonight (Sat. Aug. 31) when I'll be the guest with Greg Van Beek on his Nostalgia Radio Time show.  It's on at 10 CST.  We'll talk about my new CD "Necessary Evil" and various and sundry other things and play a cut or two. You can listen online at http://www.1420thebreeze.com/ 

National Radio appearance Wed. Aug. 14

I'll be appearing Wed. Aug. 14th on Mike Huckabee's national radio show, talking about my new album, "Necessary Evil" and keeping classic Vegas-style lounge jazz alive in the 21st century. It's in the third hour, which he devotes to pop culture.  If it airs live in your area, I should be on around 1:15 pm CST. In Dallas, KLIF delays the show one hour, so it should air in DFW around 2:15.  It's on about 230 stations. You can find your local station or download it afterward at http://www.mikehuckabee.com/the-mike-huckabee-show

Hope you can catch it!

xox

Laura A.

CD Release Party: June 28 at Stoney's in Dallas!

My new CD, "Necessary Evil," hits CDBaby and other online retailers next week.  To celebrate, I'll be playing live with two of the greatest jazz artists in Texas, pianist Brian Piper and bassist John Adams, at a CD release party on June 28th at Stoney's Wine Lounge in Lakewood.  No cover charge, music off and on from 7:30 or so to 11.  I'll have both my CDs to sell and autograph, plus fine wines from Stoney's will be available.  And don't eat before you come: the fantastic Cajun Tailgators food truck will be on hand to offer delicious New Orleans style food at very reasonable prices.  Come make a night of it, and help me celebrate my new album, "Necessary Evil!" 

For more info about the party, plus samples of advance rave reviews, check out the Facebook event page:  https://www.facebook.com/events/465796453506486/

I'll also be posting more at my website, http://www.lauraainsworth.com

Be there or be square! 

#jazz #cabaret

I saw you perform at the Burlesque show in Dallas recently and I think you were so amazing. I kept trying to get the nerve up to talk to you but I failed. Well, here I am now. It's the thought that counts, right? I can't tell you how surprised I am to see you have a tumblr.

Thank you for letting me know.  I’m surprised to see I have a tumblr account, too!  Apparently, a friend of mine opened it in my name to help spread the word about my music, occasionally reposting things I put on Facebook, and never told me.  So now I know!

I really appreciate your kind words about the Lakewood show.  I’m so glad you liked it.  The sound mix was such that none of us could hear each other at all.  If you’d like to hear us sounding a lot better, please come to my CD release party on June 28th at Stoney’s Wine Lounge:

https://www.facebook.com/events/465796453506486/

We’ll be performing live, off and on all night. There’s no cover, and plenty of fine wine and New Orleans-style food will be available.   And please come talk to me, I promise I won’t bite.  Not very hard, at least.

Laura A.

A little late, but thank you, Rosemary Clooney

  With our wifi out so long, I realized I'd missed the birth (and death) dates of Rosemary Clooney. I'm always thrilled when people compare me to her because she could swing with jazz giants like Benny Goodman while still hitting the notes and not losing the meaning of the lyric. That's what a great big band singer does. Here she salutes 3 other greats Helen Ward, Martha Tilton, Peggy Lee, including the best arrangement ever, "And The Angels Sing." at the end of the You Tube Video. 

  Thanks for reading!

Please check out my site: http://www.lauraainsworth.com/

Laura Ainsworth

Happy Birthday, Lena Horne!

    Today would have been the 94th birthday of the fabulous Lena Horne. While she is gone, she has not been forgotton. There is a very good description of her and her background here .

Check out this video of her here on YouTube   It is one of the classics " Stormy Weather "

  Thanks for reading!

  Laura Ainsworth

How about playing a little jazz in Italy? That happened to me!

I have had the fortune to have my song "He's So Unusual" from my CD "Keep It To Yourself" played in Italy!

The kind people at AnimaJazz featured me and a few other artists for the subject of "A Voice, A Soul" the New Jazz Artists International.  I got to start off the show and it was very flattering to be in the lineup with other artists like Carol Fredette, Laura Werth, Tim Patrick and others. 

I've also been added to  KGLT, Bozeman, MT, and WBZC, Pemberton, NJ.   And it's #8 on the jazz playlist of KFAI, Minneapolis, and #9 at Aggie Radio/91.5, Logan, UT.

By the way, if you like jazz, read up on this: All About Jazz. This is a pretty good website and you can find out what is going on in and around you. 

If you need some more information about my CD " Keep It To Yourself" click here!

Chck out my website: www.lauraainsworth.com

Thank you!

Laura Ainsworth

FM 91.5 in Logan, Utah; KAFM and KOTO in Colorado; WFWM in Maryland; and WERU in Maine. I've been added!

  Those stations just added my CD “Keep It To Yourself.”  And a host in Connecticut said that even though the CD is a little out of his music format, “I have to say songs like 'Keep It To Yourself' and 'That's The Kind of Guy I Dream Of' are so devilish and fun, that I've got to play her and will.”  That is great and I appreciate it!

To order my CD, please check out this link!  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lauraainsworth2

Everybody has been great, please make sure to  join Laura's new Facebook page. 

Keep Young and Beautiful!

  Laura Ainsworth

Feeling like a little Cole Porter? And is Christine Aguilera Wrong?

http://youtu.be/EnWCJli0vf8

I have a tremendous respect for great lyricists, like Johnny Mercer and Cole Porter.  The first thing I do when recording a new song is think very hard about how I want to express the meaning of the words.  So when I heard Christina Aguilera say that the words didn't matter on the show, "The Voice," I was just dumbstruck. I guess it didn't matter for the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. If you don't have the words, you don't have the song.

But enough about that, there are jokes still flying about that, and I am in too good a mood to be bashing, no matter how well-deserved.

So I hope you enjoy my little tribute!

Keep Young and Beautiful!

Laura Ainsworth   

BluesJazzRadio.com. This is a cool site! And hear me on air tonight! I'm thrilled!

  There is a great online music channel called BluesJazzRadio.com ( http://bluesjazzradio.webs.com/) and I am honored to be the guest artist today under the New Artist Spotlight! It is a very cool site, you can listen to some amazing jazz from new and upcoming artists, join some cool organizations, check out the guestbook and more! My time that I have been given is from 8p-9p Eastern/7p Central Time. I would love for you to listen!

Here is a link to my homepage if you want to find out a little bit more about me: http://www.lauraainsworth.com/

You can also get my full CD "Keep It To Yourself" or you can purchase seperate songs by going here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lauraainsworth2

BluesJazzRadio.com said a few nice things about me and my dad:

Dallas based singer/writer Laura Ainsworth has a three octave voice and is the daughter of renowned big band arranger and more....Billy Ainsworth. Now it's her turn and she is releasing a great Jazz CD entitled "Keep It To Yourself" on Eclestus Records. You will get to enjoy the CD this tonight at 8 pm Eastern &pm Central.

Dont forget we'd love to spotlight your product every Saturday from 8 until 9pm Eastern time....contact us at [email protected]. Bluesjazzradio cares about artist awareness........

Keep Young and Beautiful!

Laura Ainsworth

Do you like Jazz music? Check this out! There is a great site!

There is something happening this Saturday and I am very excited to be announcing it! In fact, if you are a jazz artist, they would love to spotlight your product!

There is a great online music channel called BluesJazzRadio.com ( http://bluesjazzradio.webs.com/) and I am honored to be the guest artist this Saturday under the New Artist Spotlight! It is a very cool site, you can listen to some amazing jazz from new and upcoming artists, join some cool organizations, check out the guestbook and more! My time that I have been given is from 8p-9p Eastern Time. I would love for you to listen! 

Don't know who I am? Here is a link to my homepage: http://www.lauraainsworth.com/

You can also get my full CD "Keep It To Yourself" here or you can get seperate songs here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lauraainsworth2

Here is a little bit about me from BluesJazzRadio.com:

Dallas based singer/writer Laura Ainsworth has a three octave voice and is the daughter of renowned big band arranger and more....Billy Ainsworth. Now its her turn and she is releasing a great Jazz CD entitled "Keep It To Yourself" on Eclestus Records. You will get to enjoy the CD this Saturday evening at 8 pm.

Dont forget we'd love to spotlight your product every Saturday from 8 until 9pm Eastern time....contact us at [email protected] Bluesjazzradio cares about artist awareness........

Keep Young and Beautiful!

Laura Ainsworth 

LAURA'S DEBUT CD,"KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!"

Laura Ainsworth's debut album, "Keep It To Yourself," is now available at CDBaby.com, and coming soon to iTunes and other download sites!  To get your copy now, just click here

Produced, arranged and featuring keyboards by 2011 Dallas Jazz Musician of the Year, Brian Piper, and guest-starring some of the top jazz musicians in the Southwest!  The CD debut of Laura Ainsworth shows off both her gorgeous, nearly three-octave voice and her outstanding versatility -- from the hilarious contemporary title track to new twists on obscure gems from the '20s to '50s, to brilliant new takes on the standards, from the steamy "Love For Sale" to a haunting rendition of "Skylark" with jazz guitarist Chris Derose that one commenter on Jango Radio summed up in a single word:  "WOW!"  

Raves From Radio!

"That song (Keep It To Yourself) is hilarious!...I'll be playing it during afternoon drive today on WHAS/Louisville...50,000 watts covering Kentucky, Indiana, parts of Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan, too!" -- Terry Meiners, WHAS

"An airworthy addition to any station.  Her beautiful voice makes the song funny, timely and very clever.  It makes a point so sharp it draws blood.  Play it and please your listeners."  -- Gary Cummings, General Manager, Inland Northwest Broadcasting KRPL~KZFN~KZZL~KMAX~KRAO~KCLX

Have you ever heard standards before? Take a listen and see what you think!

Keep Young and Beautiful!

Laura Ainsworth 

GAGA OVER BLOSSOM DEARIE

Today being April 28, my wedding anniversary, I glanced at the Wikipedia almanac page to see what other momentous events occurred on this day. What caught my eye immediately is that this is Blossom Dearie's birthday. She was born April 28, 1924. And I defy anyone to think of Blossom Dearie without smiling.

For the uninitiated, Blossom Dearie was a wonderful bop-style jazz pianist (her first solo LP, “Blossom Dearie Plays 'April In Paris,'” was all instrumental), but she was most famous for her distinctive, little girl voice. Depending on the mood of the song, it could be playful, heartbreaking or hilarious. You could practically hear her famous platinum blondness in her helium-high vocals.

If you don't know her, I'm sad for you, but not surprised. She passed away two years ago in her Greenwich Village apartment, and despite making many highly-regarded recordings, Blossom remained the ultimate Manhattan cult act. She could never fill an arena in Sheboygan like Lady Gaga, but her acolytes were just as slavishly devoted as Gaga's little monsters are to her. Blossom may have played small cabarets and clubs, but only she had the juice to insist that her shows start at 5:30 pm so she could get home early, and her audiences would actually show up at 5:30! She was also reportedly the first act ever to insist that the audience not smoke when she was on stage. And because she was Blossom Dearie, they snuffed out their butts. If you came of age during the non-smoking era, you have no idea how revolutionary a change that was. Most nightclubs used to be smokey enough to cure hams in.

For you poor deprived souls who've never experienced Blossom, here is a link to her rendition of one of my favorite songs, Gershwin's “Little Jazz Bird.” I hope you enjoy it as much as my houseful of rescued parrots do, and that it encourages you to seek out more of her recordings and YouTube videos. And if you'd like to hear some funny personal stories about her that never could've made it into her obituaries, click here and here for a remembrance by my favorite contemporary singer, the dazzling Mary Cleere Haran. We also lost her very recently, but that's another tragic story that I don't want to think about when I'm celebrating my anniversary and Blossom Dearie's birthday.

Little Jazz Bird:

  Click here to see a host of videos for Blossom Dearie

How about you? What's your favorite Blossom Song? Were you already a fan, or did you just discover her here?

Keep Young and Beautiful!

Laura Ainsworth