Well it is true what they say. Working on a doctorate degree is quite demanding. While I am making great progress on the degree (all I have left is the dissertation), the CD progress has had to take a backseat at this point. I am still excited at the start I have and intend to complete it. I also hope to have a couple shows this spring because I REALLY miss playing. Once I have collected some data and get the ball rolling on this massive research project I hope to have more free time to get out there again. Stay tuned. :)
We haven't played in a long time. Too long! We will be at the Boot ( 21st street Norfolk) this Friday (March 27) along with Sarah Carter and Christabel and The Jons.
We will have guest Saxaphone player Randy Burt playing with us. Look forward to seeing everyone!
As you may notice there are no shows on the books right now. Let me just say it is true what they say about grad school. It keeps you busy. But I am still working on the new album and will schedule a show soon after I return from my holiday trips to visit my family.
Outreach:
Tidewater Arts Outreach is a great
organization that provides music and the arts to people that normally do not
have access. They send musicians to shelters, convalescent homes and
other institutions to bring human interaction, happiness and healing for people
who have limited access to the arts, due to health, economic or social circumstances.
Visit http://www.twartsoutreach.org/
This concert will help them
continue their great work.
If you've never been to a "house
concert", this is a rare opportunity to have a up close and quiet
setting
to enjoy music without the distraction of a noisy bar or restaurant
setting.
I'll be playing with the quartet which includes myself, Ron Charlton,
www.myspace.com/charltonmobilityaolcom , Sonya, www.sonyalorelle.com
on piano and vocals , Paul Sanders on Drums, and
Larry Berwald on guitar (www.myspace.com/larryberwald).
Tickets $25
Light refreshments wine and beer served at
intermission
Seating is limited
To reserve a spot call Tidewater Arts Outreach
at 757-754-4486 to reserve a spot
Host: Claudia Puopolo
1433 Water Mill Circle
Virginia Beach, VA 23454
Check us out :
Saturday July 26, 2008 10:00 PM
and again on:
Sunday July 27 5:00 PM
We will be on WRRW 100.9 FM
This a Williamsburg public radio station so the listening area is not very big (Williamsburg, James City County, etc..)
but you can tune in via Internet at www.wrrw.fm and click on "Listen Now".
(If you miss the performance, it will be archived on this site so you can download it at a later date)
WRRW has a fantastic programming format that includes a show called
Revolutionary Radio
So all July 4th weekend the band was diligently recording. WE set up and sound checked on Friday, then hit the record button Saturday and Sunday. We got 11 basic songs done and we'll do some overdubbing and vocals in August!!! YAY!!... I want to thank Larry B for opening hes home and studio equipment up to us, and Amy Aiken for doing an AMAZING job as sound engineer. What a great weekend!!!
I just received a copy of the 2007 MEONA music awards. I am honored to announce that yours truly received first place in the Jazz Artist Category. I am so touched that you are out there voting for me. Thank you so much for the support. It is a very encouraging recognition to receive.
I wanted to let you all know my good news... I was recently accepted
into the Counselor Education Doctoral Program at ODU. I start taking
full time classes this summer. In two years I will officially be Dr.
Lorelle!! This means my performing schedule will remain pretty light,
but I will still be out there singing at my favorite spots, so keep an
eye on the calendar for upcoming shows.
I made it back this week from Greece! It is official, I am a married woman. Everything was phenomenal. See my photos section for some of my favorite photos from our trip.
You might notice that my schedule is pretty open. I thought I would give you an update as to why. Paul and I are fervently planning our approaching labor day weekend wedding and Greek Island honeymoon. This is a fun and exciting process. (I am no bridezilla :) After our return we hope to get back in the swing of performing again!
I am excited to announce that we had the great honor to open for Jim Newsom at the Suffolk Cultural Art Center. What an amazing facility!! We were treated like royalty, and everything was perfect from the sound to the lighting. It was by far a peak moment! I posted a video from the event. Check it out!!
I can't believe I haven't listed this yet... I am so excited that a new member has joined our group. Larry B plays guitar now and everyone agrees he is a fantastic asset . I am honored that he enjoys playing with us! CHeck out his other work at www.myspace.com/larryberwald
I am glad to announce that the Sonya Lorelle Band is officially back together. I auditioned far and wide, and Ron Charlton of Hampton is the new bass plyer. He fits in great and plays the acoustic upright which adds a great sound to our jazz numbers. For the drummer I didn't have as far to look . Paul Sanders, my fiance/web developer has finally agreed to perform with me . I have always admired his drumming, so I am excited to add him to the mix as well.
Rambles.net reviewed "The Life You Wanted." Check to see what they said.
I have added some new videos to my video page. Check out the July 4th tour, and you will see the fun I had on my whirwind tour with four shows in three states in three days!
Sonya Lorelle has one of those superb voices that stops you in your tracks and makes you pay attention to her instantly. Every note is delivered in perfect pitch and every line is sung with a silky, smooth resonance. Her bluesy, soul timbres glide sensually along the musical compositions with the vocal vibrancies of carillon chimes and her piano vamps meld exquisitely into her vocal folds.
Her repertoire ranges from torch songs to lively bossa nova tunes mixing jazz and samba with dollops of blues and soul rhythms and with every song emotionally charged.
The themes of her songs cover emotional needs like exploring dreams, breaking out on your own, falling in love, finding solace after a heartbreak, and believing in your desires. Her songs are intimate and personable and reach feelings in people that go unexpressed through life.
Her song “Crush” has a bossa nova vibe with glittering tambourines and lively piano grooves. Her rich vocals move with the smooth lines of a Dizzy Gillespie trumpet continuum.
Her track “Be The One” is a seductive number with a romantic aura accented with piano harmonies and light snare drums. The piano patterns contour her lush vocal timbres like a lover and bring out a cozy, warmth in her performance.
“Bedtime Story” is a flirty jazzy number with lyrics like:
I’m a bedtime story and I’ll rock you to sleep
I’m a buried treasure, a secret you keep.
Her warm mixture of jazz, samba, blues, soul, and pop is creative and meaningful. Her songs project emotion and warmth and possess a nurturing quality which audiences will find comforting. Her debut album Independent Woman (2002) and her sophomore release The Life You Wanted (2005) offer a jazz/blues collection of songs delivered with a voice that can warm any heart.