Laura Martier

“Intersection” the debut release from VSOJAZ Records.

Laura Martier For the vocalist, who makes her home on North Carolina’s sandy Outer Banks, the album proved to be an ideal calling card, earning her new fans and the opportunity to perform regularly throughout the Outer Banks and Southeastern and Central Virginia.

Growing up in a musical household in rural Wisconsin, she’s performed everything from funk to folk over the years. It was precisely this varied musical background that made Laura such a natural for “Intersection”. Drawing from a rich tapestry of musical influences, she effortlessly blends them into the straight-ahead jazz setting of these sessions, carefully maintaining the integrity of the lyrics, yet redefining the songs as the best jazz singers always do.

John Toomey is currently University Professor of Music at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Previously music director and keyboardist for Maynard Ferguson, John current appears with jazz vocalists Rene Marie and Mark Murphy, as well as The Uptown Jazz Vocal Quartet. Recent releases include “Smile” with vocalist Lisanne Lyons and “Refraction” featuring original composition and performed by The John Toomey Trio.

Jimmy Masters had been playing bass for over 30 years. While 20 of those years have been devoted primarily to jazz, his playing experiences include rock, acoustic, and country music as well. In addition to performing with jazz giants like Chuck Mangione, Mark Murphy, Clark Terry, and Kurt Elling, Jimmy has also served as the producer of several well received jazz recordings including “Jazz For Hope” and “Co-Op Venture”.

1. A Swallow Song (Richard Farina) 4:45
2. Harpo’s Blues (Pheobe Snow) 5:48
3. Summer’s Coming Around Again 3:53 (Carly Simon,Jim Ryan, & Paul Glanz)
4. Undun (Randy Bachman) 5:22
5. My Back Pages (Bob Dylan) 5:37
6. The Love’s Still Growing (Buzzy Linhart) 4:38
7. Didn’t Want To Have To Do It (John Sebastian) 5:15
8. Guinnevere (David Crosby) 6:26
9. The Warmth of the Sun (Brian Wilson & Mike Love) 3:47
10. Buy & Sell (Laura Nyro) 4:42
[ Mp3’s ]

Produced by Jimmy Masters & Jack Frieden
Arrangements and by John Toomey
Album Concept by Jack Frieden
Recorded at Master Sound Studio, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 2000 & May 2001
Engineer: Rob Ulsh
Vocals – Laura Martier
Piano & Organ – John Toomey
Acoustic Bass – Jimmy Masters
Drums – Howard Curtis
Tenor and Soprano Saxophone – Eddie Williams
Guitar (on Summer’s Coming Around Again ) – Fred Hibbard