Laurie Krauz

Recent Back Stage Bistro winner Laurie Krauz brought her latest cabaret vehicle, Tapestry Rewoven, westward for a single performance at the Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood on April 30. Her tribute to hall-of-fame singer Carole King provided a fitting salute to a great vocal artist, yet the King songs were freely interpreted by Krauz in her jazzy, individualistic style, providing a new spin on cherished material and a fine showcase for this dynamic performer.

There's no need to elaborate on what was previously reviewed in Back Stage by David Finkle, but to put a Tinseltown perspective on this offering, Krauz’s heartfelt and intensely dramatic renditions of these evergreen tunes suggest that she is ready for her closeup—a tailor-made role in a gripping musical drama on stage or screen. But in the meantime, this captivating diva can croon the blues and exude joy with equal finesse as she gets right to the heart and soul of King’s venerable repertoire.

With the aid of her superbly talented music director-accompanist Daryl Kojak as well as three fine local musicians and three wonderful local backup singers—who elicited first-rate results following a crash-rehearsal effort—Krauz smoothly made her way through such King soft-rock/pop classics as “Too Late Baby,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “You've Got a Friend.” A scat specialist who can project heartbreak, strength, vulnerability, and feminine grace within a single number, Krauz wowed the appreciative Wednesday night crowd. It felt like a serendipitous fusion of the turbulent 1970s and the challenging yet hopeful early-2000s. The songs are all from King’s Tapestry album, and the notion of revisiting the work of a fine artist in this manner proved a great one. Here’s hoping Krauz doesn’t stay away from our fair city too long. We could use more of that unmistakable New York moxie in our local entertainment spots.
- Back Stage West

Extraordinary work. Every element and every moment contribute unerringly to an unforgettable, quite remarkable whole. - Critic at large

...... it could be a masterwork not unlike her idol's. - Back Stage

"Tapestry Rewoven" is a unique work of contemporary jazz.... Although it is not yet a CD, "Tapestry Rewoven" promises to deliver its own stamp of 'classic.' - Cabaret Scenes

Certainly a departure from the way the songs were originally presented, the jazz stylings of Krauz and Kojak and the group were a perfectly natural progression, so seamlessly and imaginatively were the American Pop Idiom and the American Jazz Idiom combined in this respectful and highly satisfying amalgam of disparate styles. The audience ‘ate it with a spoon’ and showed their love and enthusiasm with a standing ovation, hoots and hollers. - Nite Life Exchange

Certainly a departure from the way the songs were originally presented, the jazz stylings of Krauz and Kojak and the group were a perfectly natural progression, so seamlessly and imaginatively were the American Pop Idiom and the American Jazz Idiom combined in this respectful and highly satisfying amalgam of disparate styles. The audience ‘ate it with a spoon’ and showed their love and enthusiasm with a standing ovation, hoots and hollers. - Nite Life Exchange

From the moment the show began, the audience completely came on board for the ride. And what a ride it was. - Broadway Cafe Society

Without a doubt, Krauz has the voice and the sensitivity to do justice to any of Carole King’s classic songs. - Cabaret Exchange

“... if a singer who can become an instrument of bebop is your thing, check out Laurie Krauz....” - WRTN-FM/WVOX-AM

“A versatile jazz vocalist who can be bright and breezy or hot and steamy. Her on air performance started an in studio ‘heat wave.’” - WBAI-FM

“...she immediately impresses with her ample vocal presence and poise.... This stands as an impressive debut disc for Laurie Krauz.” - Cadence

“Krauz possesses a voice of remarkable range and dynamics. She is also a talented improviser who has a remarkable understanding of the jazz language. She imitates a muted trumpet on Kojak’s original “Ducksoup” with a remarkable attention to not only the sound but also the phrasing and breath of a jazz instrumentalist. In contrast to current jazz singing sweetheart Diana Krall, Laurie Krauz is not an introspective or wispy balladeer. When she is ready, Krauz comes straight at you with both barrels blazing, her voice moving from a whisper to a joyous howl within the space of a bar. Jazz aficionados should welcome this impressive debut album from a singer who will certainly be making her mark on the jazz scene for years to come.” - JazzReview.com

“Laurie Krauz is a bright new jazz singer with a strong and flexible voice, the ability to improvise at all tempos and a sensitive style that pays attention to the meaning of the words she interprets.” Four Stars. - All Music Guide

“Catch Me If You Can” is a real Jazz Fan’s album. It has all the atmosphere and personality of sitting at a table ten feet away from the stage and soaking up the quite unique technique that Laurie conjures up for us.... [T]his explicit and improvised style is like a chef adding just the right amount of ingredients to taste but not to overwhelm the diner.” - EuroClubdeJazz

“You won’t believe your ears – this jazz singer’s velvety voice is a wonder to behold.” (Critic’s Picks) - H. Scott Jolley

“Laurie Krauz is an entertaining singer who is certain to leave her mark in the world of jazz singers.”
- L.A. Jazz Scene

“A strikingly balanced performer, she can be audacious, mellow or tingly ... her voice and body work as one instrument joining our ears to her breath and our eyes to her performance” - Talent In Motion Magazine

“With an unusually pliant set of vocal chords, Laurie Krauz has a ball on her first album. The album’s kick off piece, the Ellington/Strayhorn masterpiece, “Day Dream,” sets the high standard for what’s to follow.... [S]he combines the best of cabaret and jazz singing. She has the respect for the lyrics one usually finds within cabaret as well as the ability to use her voice as an instrument, without over embellishing on the latter. This is a wonderful maiden album and will cause listeners to become impatient waiting for her next one.” - All About Jazz