Upcoming gigs

Hello Darlings,

I'll be singing with the Chandler Judkins New Testament Jazz Quartet at the chic Mandarin Oriental in Las Vegas (City Center) again this thursday, July 28th.  This fantastic band plays from 7 - 11, and I will join them from 8 - 10.  Come up to the gorgeous 23rd floor sky room lounge and get your jazz on.

Also on the near horizon is my monthly gig with the hard swingin' Bruce Harper Big Band.  It's the second saturday of every month at the E String Grill and Jazz Club.  The August date is the 13th.  Eat, drink, and swing!

Convivially yours,
Laura

CD Release show/party

What a wonderful night it was!  Monday was my CD release show/party for my first effort on RKO Records, The Julie London Songbook.  And I couldn't be more thrilled with the turnout.  Sold out room, amazing musicians, enthusiastic audience...I know so many very nice people! Thank you to everyone who came out to support me! Thank you also to Tom Ficara of RKO Records, and Marsha K Ross and the E String!  The gents were outstanding, thank you to (r. to l.) Bob Sachs, Bruce Harper, Dave Hart, Charlie Shaffer, Arno Marsh and Bill King.  An overabundance of photos coming soon!  I'm receiving them from many sources and trying to whittle them down to one album as a microcosm of the evening.  Jazz is not dead in Las Vegas - and neither are jazz fans!

The Vamp of Savannah and the CD Release Party

I had a ball this afternoon performing on, and co-hosting The Hit Parade, a show here in Las Vegas at the Suncoast Casino, with my friend and fellow performer, Art Vargas. Great band, great crowd, great sound and light crew. I fear I left a few feathers behind after Hard Hearted Hannah, though. Thank you to Nancy Porter for loaning me the fat, gleaming boa for that number! What fun.

Next up is the show/party to celebrate the release of my new CD, "The Julie London Songbook", with all my friends here in Las Vegas.  If you're going to be in town this monday, the 18th, drop by and join us at the E String Jazz Club and Grill at 2031 W Sunset Rd, from 7:30 - 9:30.  Cake, champagne, free CDs, and of course I'll be performing tunes from the album along with several others.   The sextet of superb musicians joining me for the live performance are the same great guys on the album:  Charlie Shaffer, Bob Sachs, Dave Hart, Bruce Harper, Arno Marsh, and Bill King.   If you can't make the show but want to hear the songs, hit up iTunes, Amazon, etc. for downloads, or the Store here on www.midnightrefrain.com if you want the hard copy CD. 

Convivially,
Laura

Like peas and carrots (or champagne and cake)

I can't think of too many things that go together better than jazz and fine liquor.  And as I enjoy being thrown into that mix (literally, even), it was a pleasure to play a Moët Champagne and Belvedere vodka sponsored event last night in my hometown of Las Vegas.  I was accompanied by the superb Charlie Shaffer on piano and Bob Sachs on upright bass, in a swanky, old-west style, "upscale tavern" that was accessible by guarded elevator only, which gave it a cool speakeasy feeling.  We had a ball.  The specialty Belvedere cocktails and  Moët & Chandon flowed, while canapes and custom-paired gourmet cupcakes were served.  I can neither confirm nor deny that the band was responsible for the disappearance of a few cupcakes.

Convivially yours,
Laura