Tracks
1.I’m Not the Same Without You 2.I’m Glad There Is You 3.Unlikely Valentine 4.Our Game 5.Tin Tin Deo 6.Lowercase 7.Vrohoula 8.Making It Up As We Go Along 9.I Have the Feeling I’ve Been Here Before 10.Make Sure You’re Sure 11.Turn Out the Stars
Interpreters
Lauren White – vocals
Paul Jost – vocals (7)
Quinn Johnson – piano (1-7, 9-11), Rhodes (1, 8)
Larry Koonse – guitar (2, 7, 9)
Kevin Axt – bass (1-5, 7-10)
Trey Henry – bass (6)
Brian Swartz – trumpet (1, 3, 5, 8)
Katisse Buckingham – sax and Flute (1, 3, 5, 8)
Chris Wabich – drums (1, 3-5, 8)
Dan Schnelle – drums (2, 7, 9-10)
Ray Brinker – drums (6)
Record Label: Café Pacific Records
Recorded at Triton Studios, Glendale, California
Release Date: March 15, 2024
Lauren White is an accomplished jazz singer and recording artist based in Los Angeles. Born and raised in New York City, Lauren’s earliest musical inspiration came from an aunt who was an opera singer, as well as frequent family outings to Broadway shows. Lauren attended New York University and later acted in soap operas, including “The Doctors” and “How to Survive a Marriage.” She performed in Off-Broadway shows (Zorba, Guys & Dolls, Company) and studied as an understudy on Broadway before becoming a regular on the New York jazz circuit. She then moved to Los Angeles.
White has also had considerable success as a producer on the hit HBO show, “Homeland.” The show ran for eight seasons and concluded its run in 2020.
White currently lives in Pacific Palisades with her husband, Alex Gansa, a television writer and producer and creator of “Homeland.”
With a superb group of performers, including her constant collaborator, pianist Quinn Johnson, musical director and pianist for Steve Tyrell for 16 years and who has worked with many of the biggest names in jazz and pop, and production by Barbara Brighton, she has just released this album titled “Making It Up As We Go Along.”
The album opens with a Donald Fagen composition, “I’m Not the Same Without You.” The song accurately captures the feeling of freedom you feel when your departed partner grants you a freedom you didn’t have before. White avoids any semblance of sadness.
As the lyrics go: “Since you’ve been gone, it’s like someone turned the stars back on, I can see into everyone’s heart and everyone’s dreams.”
“I’m Glad There Is You” is a gentle, relaxing bossa written by Paul Madeira and Jimmy Dorsey.
“Unlikely Valentine” is by Ronald Boustead, a Los Angeles-based vocalist and songwriter, and William Henry Cunliffe. A cheerful song about two people who like to play in the fields and are surprised when they fall in love. Great solos by Buckingham and Swartz.
After a very rhythmic piece, the ballad “Our Game” composed by German trumpeter Till Brönner. White was inspired by Mark Murphy’s version of this song. White showcases his beautiful and versatile voice.
“Tin Tin Deo,” composed by Walter Gilbert Fuller and Luciano “Chano” Pozo, sounds like a cha-cha-cha. Buckingham provides a beautiful flute solo. White’s versatility is evident; he adapts to any style.
“Lowercase” follows, composed by Joshua Redman and Lori Barth with lyrics by Mark Winkler. An interesting song with a non-linear melody.
Paul Jost sings a duet with White on this “Vrouhoula,” composed by Mimis Plessas. Jost performs scat, a style he is a master of.
The title track, “Making It Up as We Go Along,” by Edddie Arkin, with lyrics by Lorraine Feather, is a gentle ballad that is a pleasant listen.
“I Have the Feeling I’ve Been Here Before,” the beautiful ballad by Marilyn Monroe and Alan Bergman and Roger Kellaway, where Koonse’s guitar and White’s voice create a wonderfully intimate atmosphere.
This is followed by Stevie Wonder’s “Make Sure You’re Sure,” a melody that appeared in Spike Lee’s film “Jungle Fever.”
The album closes with “Turn Out the Stars” by Bill Evans and Gene Lees. White and Johnson offer an intimate and thoughtful duet.
White performs each song calmly, without exaggeration, with thoughtful maturity. His voice conveys emotion. White and his colleagues have created an album worth listening to closely.
La Habitación del Jazz