Jazz pushes away societal norms, and challenges acceptable boundaries.
Queer women jazz artists are here to take their place in that story.
Lauren Lee and Nicole Zaray will show you how.
at the first iteration of the new series:
SWINGING THE OTHER WAY
An Exploration of Queer Jazz Composition and Performance
The art form Jazz historically has always pushed away societal norms and dared to challenge acceptable aesthetics, boundaries, and perspectives. Queer women jazz artists are finally here to take their place in that story. Lauren Lee and Nicole Zaray will show you how - and it is in more ways than one. With ‘Swinging The Other Way’, Lee and Zaray present a musical celebration of an identity that has not always found an easy place in society – that of the female jazz artist. This unique presentation combines performances of new compositions with bits of historical background, humor and passion in between....
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Jazz pushes away societal norms, and challenges acceptable boundaries.
Queer women jazz artists are here to take their place in that story.
Lauren Lee and Nicole Zaray will show you how.
at the first iteration of the new series:
SWINGING THE OTHER WAY
An Exploration of Queer Jazz Composition and Performance
The art form Jazz historically has always pushed away societal norms and dared to challenge acceptable aesthetics, boundaries, and perspectives. Queer women jazz artists are finally here to take their place in that story. Lauren Lee and Nicole Zaray will show you how - and it is in more ways than one. With ‘Swinging The Other Way’, Lee and Zaray present a musical celebration of an identity that has not always found an easy place in society – that of the female jazz artist. This unique presentation combines performances of new compositions with bits of historical background, humor and passion in between.
Key composers and performers:
Lauren Lee - http://www.laurenleeprojectjazz.com/
Nicole Zaray Meter - http://www.nicolezaray.com
Brittany Anjou - http://brittanyanjou.net/
Lauren Seay - http://www.laurenseaymusic.com
Co-creators:
Lauren Lee is a vocalist, pianist, and composer based in New York City. A native of the St. Louis (MO) metropolitan area, her foray into creative music began as a teenager in the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. Likened to female jazz pioneers that came before her like Carla Bley and Jen Shyu, Lee’s music has been described as, “equal parts hip jazz, avant adventure, and… something completely different” (John Pietaro, Dissident Arts). Her work intentionally inhabits this place of “between”, and in Lee’s case, the “between” is nestled between where jazz has been and where jazz is going. Her work is praised for her adventurous yet accessible original music and has performed across North and South America, Europe, and Asia as both a bandleader and sidewoman. Currently, she is exploring new solo material and working in larger ensemble settings.
Check out her album at: http://www.laurenleeprojectjazz.com
Nicole Zaray is a vocalist, songwriter and actor. Her solo work has been presented at PS 122, Roulette, Dixon Place, and La Mama. Dedicated to studying the evolution of "The American Songbook", she was commissioned by The American Music Center to write about American film music history. Known for her theatrical and movement-based approach to music performance, she has taught at Centro Em Movimento in Lisbon, and regularly performs her unique versions of standards. Other work includes: featured vocalist on Moby's CDs "Feeling So Real" and "Next is the E" (Mute/Elektra), vocalist in Theodora Skipitares' "Under the Knife" and Karen Finley's "Momento Mori", and lead in the scifi flick "The Sticky Fingers of Time" which premiered at the Venice Biennale, played over forty festivals, and was released worldwide. She holds a B/A. in Economics from Barnard College.
Check out her two eps at: http://www.nicolezaray.com
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