In this, her first CD release, Lauri Jones simply shines. The voice is "rich and sensuous with amazing clarity and presence... it melts the heart". Lauri's wealth of experience, both personally and professionally, is captured as she swings and croons her way through classics ranging from Irving Berlin and Cole Porter to Barbra Streisand and James Taylor. Her personal connection to the material is evident and she delivers it with honesty, soul, and plenty of charm. Lauri began her career in the San Francisco Bay Area where she starred in various musical theatre productions and eventually branched out into the world of Pop, R & B, Big Band and Swing. In the 90's, Lauri was a member of the award-winning acappella group "About Face", where she gained local and national exposure, sharing the stage with the likes of Patti LaBelle, George Benson, and Natalie Cole. During that time she also sang back-up on recordings for such artists as Diana Ross and Teddy Pendergrass and performed in a variety of show bands. Later on, with a desire to return to her musical theatre roots, Lauri earned her Masters degree from the prestigious Boston Conservatory. While she was there, she had the opportunity to sing with the legendary Boston Pops as featured soloist. Lauri has also performed as a featured entertainer for Majestic America and Seabourn Cruise Lines, entertaining audiences with on-board productions as well as her own cabaret shows. With such a diverse background, Lauri feels this CD ties it all together with her own brand of "Jazzy Cabaret", combining jazz, swing, torch, and theatre. She teamed up with some of the finest world-class musicians, including pianist and musical director Norman Bergen, who has produced and arranged for such acts as Tony Orlando and The Tokens. Also featured are Scott von Ravensberg on drums, Steve "Trapper" Braun on upright bass, and Gary Caruso on sax, flute, and clarinet. Lauri makes her home in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Portland, Oregon.