Russ Lorenson
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Russ Lorenson | |
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 Russ Lorenson in performance
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Russ Gangloff |
| Born | July 5, 1963 |
| Origin | Upland, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Jazz, pop standards, cabaret |
| Occupation(s) | singer, actor |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1970 — present |
| Label(s) | LML Music |
| Website | http://www.russlorenson.com |
Russ Lorenson (born 5 July 1963, birth name Russ Gangloff) is an American singer and actor. Though a stage actor since childhood, Lorenson has more recently established a reputation as a leading interpreter of jazz standards. With a retro crooner style, Lorenson's sound and approach place him at the intersection of Broadway, jazz, and pop – the very essence of the Great American Songbook.
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[edit] Early years
Born in Upland, Pennsylvania, just outside of Philadelphia, Lorenson's career began as a youngster, making his stage debut at the age of seven. He continued singing and acting in the theatre throughout his early school years, moving with his family to San Diego, California when he was nine years old. High school found him more focused on “legit” music, where he performed and toured with an award-winning classical vocal ensemble. He also gained experience as both a choral conductor and composer, winning a young artists’ competition in his school district for his composition work.
At 18 years old, he adopted the stage name of "Lorenson," in honor of his teacher and mentor, Loren Salter. Salter had helped to develop Lorenson as a singer and actor throughout his teen years, and the two remain friends to this day.
After college, he continued his work as a choral conductor and voice coach, working for five years as Associate Conductor of the award-winning California Youth Chorale, founded by Salter. He returned to theatrical performing as well, appearing in musical productions with San Diego’s Diversionary Theatre, Starlight Musical Theatre, and Lyric Opera San Diego.
[edit] Career detour
In the late 1990’s, Lorenson took a major detour away from life on the boards. The multi-talented artist plunged into the high-tech world just as the dot-com boom was exploding. Never one to do things by halves, he moved to San Francisco to be close to the Silicon Valley scene, began working in start-ups and found himself flying high in all senses of the word. Eventually attaining positions as an executive required extensive traveling, and Lorenson racked up nearly a million air miles, along with an income that easily surpassed the meager earnings of an actor and singer. Performing fell by the wayside, but after a break of nearly 10 years, the scene changed once again.
[edit] Back to the stage
Although continuing in high-tech, Lorenson found himself unfulfilled creatively, and began exploring a return to performing. He began appearing with San Francisco’s |42nd Street Moon, one of only four theatre groups in the U.S. whose mission is to present staged concert revivals of “lost” musicals from Broadway's Golden Age. He has appeared in their productions of Finian's Rainbow, Minnie's Boys, Cole Porter’s Red, Hot & Blue!, and in 2006, he appeared in the company’s first foray into opera, with their production of The Golden Apple.
In 2005, Russ made the great leap and left the corporate world to return to his passion. With his band, under the musical direction of renowned jazz pianist Kelly Park, Lorenson quickly established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading interpreters of jazz standards.
Lorenson's first nightclub show, A Little Travelin’ Music, was based on his extensive world travel during his corporate career, and played to sold-out audiences on both coasts. His debut CD, of the same name, was released in May 2006 on the LML Music label and features songs from the show and includes duets with special guests Shawn Ryan and Klea Blackhurst. His second CD, What I Want For Christmas, hit music stores in September 2006, and both CDs were included on the Nominating Ballot for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in the category of "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" alongside such artists as Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, Chris Botti and John Pizzarelli.
In recognition of his solid and sophisticated musical vocabulary, Talkin’Broadway.com called Russ “an elegant performer who has faultless musical taste and vocal phrasing. He has a voice that is reminiscent of some of the great singers like Tony Bennett, Chet Baker and a little of Mel Tormé.” The Los Angeles Times said that he brings “a supple voice and strong sense of characterization to all his songs." The San Diego Union-Tribune said that his “relaxed, easy deliveries...seem natural and heartfelt..." BeyondChron.com said, “Not only does Lorenson have the soul of the greats – Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and other dream crooners of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s – he has the band with him to really bring those decades to life.” The Coronado Journal simply called him “…irresistible…”
[edit] The best is yet to come
The best is yet to come as Lorenson honors the legendary Tony Bennett in his latest show, Benedetto/Blessed: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Tony Bennett. The world knows him as Tony Bennett, but his birth name - Benedetto - means "blessed", an accurate adjective to describe both the man and his fans.
"I find great inspiration in Mr. Bennett’s music and artistic vision," says Lorenson. "The Great American Songbook has had no greater champion, and I am honored to be singing Mr. Bennett’s greatest hits."
Russ’ tribute to the man whom Frank Sinatra called "the best singer in the business" premiered in July 2006, when Russ opened for the legendary Eartha Kitt at the Austin (Texas) Cabaret Theatre. The show is currently touring the U.S., with sold-out runs across the country, including San Francisco's Empire Plush Room, and New York's famed Iridium Jazz Club. Of his performance in this show, the Napa Valley Register said that "...Lorenson’s tribute is solid gold."
Lorenson is managed by Arthur Shafman, who also manages Andrea Marcovicci, Christine Andreas, KT Sullivan, Mark Nadler, Craig Rubano and Sandra Reaves-Phillips.
[edit] Discography
| Year | Cover | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | A Little Travelin' Music | |
| 2006 | What I Want For Christmas |
[edit] Selected Theatrical Productions
| Production | Role | Company |
|---|---|---|
| Nunsense Jamboree | Father Virgil | Willows Theatre Company, Concord CA |
| The Secret Garden | Archibald Craven | Willows Theatre Company, Concord CA |
| 1776 | James Wilson | Willows Theatre Company, Concord CA |
| The Golden Apple | Doc Macahan | 42nd Street Moon, San Francisco CA |
| Red, Hot & Blue! | Reynaldo | 42nd Street Moon, San Francisco CA |
| Minnie's Boys | Hochmeister | 42nd Street Moon, San Francisco CA |
| Finian's Rainbow | Buzz Collins | 42nd Street Moon, San Francisco CA |
| Pinchpenny Phantom of the Opera | Phantom/Gaston | Coronado Playhouse, Coronado CA |
| Phantom | Wigmaster | Starlight Musical Theatre, San Diego CA |
| The Desert Song | Captain Paul Fontaine | Lyric Opera San Diego, San Diego CA |
| The Wizard of Oz (RSC Version) | Winkie General | Starlight Musical Theatre, San Diego CA |
| Rose Marie | Jim Kenyon | Lyric Opera San Diego, San Diego CA |
[edit] Awards and achievements
Lorenson was nominated for a 2007 MAC Award (given by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) for New York performances of his show, Benedetto/Blessed: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Tony Bennett.
[edit] Sources
- Russ Lorenson's official press kit, provided by Arthur Shafman.
- LML Music catalogue of recordings.
[edit] External links
- Russ Lorenson official website
- LML Music official website
- Arthur Shafman official website
- Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs official website
