HIGHLIGHT REEL FROM MY ALBUM RELEASE EVENT

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It’s taken me a couple of weeks to recover from my first album release in 8 years! But I did want to share a highlights reel from the evening, and my gratitude to everyone involved for an amazing release event in New York.

-First, thanks to the American Songbook Association and their team – Carolyn Montgomery, Frank Dain and Craig Pomeranz for getting behind this event to celebrate not just a new album, but the everlasting joy of The Great American Songbook, both classic and modern.

-Thanks to Betsyann Faiella at SavoyPR for helping us to arrange the venue and getting the word out about the show.

-Thanks to all the team at The Triad Theatre, including Gene Castle, Michael Doane, Jon Furshpan, and all the of the staff that took care of our guests.

-Super special thanks to JP Perreaux for his technical direction PLUS his original recording expertise back in 2008 that made the album possible.

-Big thanks to our smokin’ hot band: Eric Halvorson on drums, Justin Rothberg on guitar, Tom Hubbard on bass (and on the album!) and Kelly Park, musical director/arranger/pianist, my co-composer and friend for nearly 20 years.

-Next, I’d like to thank the guest artists who covered the songs that I can no longer sing: Jennifer Roberts, Lennie Watts, Mary Foster Conklin, Spencer Day and Billy Stritch. It’s a difficult task to come in, learn new songs, sing with a new band, sing the songs in front of their composers, AND do it all as volunteers. You guys are incredible – thank you so much!

-Finally, thank you to the composers and lyricists who are still adding chapters to the Songbook that we all love & celebrate: Andrew Lippa, Harry Connick, Jr., Ramsey McLean, Peter Cincotti, Cynthia Cincotti, John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, Michael Feinstein, Lionel Richie, Maury Yeston, Ronny Whyte, Francesca Blumenthal, Tony DeSare, Mike Lee, Cynthia Thompson, Ray Jessel, and especially Bob Levy who was in the audience when we recorded the album back in 2008, and was at the release event 15 years later. My heart is full of gratitude for you all.

IT’S FINALLY HERE! “STANDARD TIME: LIVE IN NEW YORK” IS AVAILABLE NOW

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It’s finally here! 15 years in the making, “Standard Time: Live In New York” is now LIVE not just in New York, but all around the globe, wherever you listen to music! (It would also make a lovely Christmas gift!)

Listen now on your favorite music platform

Who says The Great American Songbook stopped being written in 1959? Many have deemed that The Great American Songbook is going extinct. But in 2008, I saw it differently. I put together a show of “new standards,” demonstrating that songs with soul and depth were still being crafted. My show, “Standard Time,” was a tribute to love and relationships, shedding light on the fresh pages being added to The Great American Songbook of the New Millennium.

While initially recorded with the intention of a 2009 release, this album of songs from performances at the beloved (and sorely missed) Metropolitan Room nightclub in New York had been shelved. But now, 15 years later, these rediscovered gems validate my belief: many have indeed evolved into the new generation’s standards.

Every track on this album draws inspiration from composers who themselves have been torchbearers of the classic standards artists like Michael Feinstein, Harry Connick, Jr., John Pizzarelli, Tony DeSare and more. Their modern compositions, echoing with undertones of jazz classics, stand as testament to the living, breathing, evolving nature of the Songbook.

Listen now on your favorite music platform

As always, thank you for your support!
Russ

“IT’S RAINING MEMORIES” IS AVAILABLE NOW!

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The second single from my upcoming live album “Standard Time: Live In New York” is available NOW!

This song is super special to me – I co-wrote it with my longtime musical director, Kelly Park.

“‘It’s Raining Memories’ is an evocative journey down memory lane. Russ Lorenson and Kelly Park’s creation beautifully captures the nostalgia of bygone moments. Lorenson’s mesmerizing voice, combined with the brilliant instrumental backup, makes this track a delightful exploration of love, loss, and remembrance.” ~Zachary Larson, Radio Airplay

Once again joining me on this track are Kelly Park on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass, Brian Carmody on drums, and Terrence Brewer on guitar!

The album was recorded live at The Metropolitan Room in New York by JP Perreaux, and mixed & mastered by René Wieland in The Netherlands.

→ Listen on all streaming platforms & wherever you listen to music!

→ Join us in New York on December 4 for the album release event!

REVERBNATION FEATURED ARTIST WEEK 5

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ReverbNation continues its weekly highlight of ALL 15 tracks for my new album, “Standard Time: Live In New York.” This week’s ReverbNation Featured Artist track is “Swing Is Back In Style” with music by Michael Feinstein, and lyrics by Ray Jessel & Cynthia Thompson. The song was first recorded by Michael Feinstein on his 1999 album, “Big City Rhythms.”

Radio Airplay reviewer Zachary Larson says, “Russ Lorenson reminds of the good old days with his live version of Michael Feinstein’s ‘Swing Is Back In Style.’ Just bright enough with a steady pulse, this tune emits a feeling of life that is infectious and confident. It calmly weighs different styles, but remains steadfast that Swing is king. Lorenson brings a breath of fresh air to the quick rhythms, oblong phrases, and somewhat overbearing rhymes. This tune is written with a fair amount of sass and plenty of references to jazz culture. Its essence is fun, and Lorenson is able to amplify and keep that energy going. The band does a fantastic job of keeping the groove in the pocket and supporting the vocals. They perform masterfully without drawing too much attention to themselves, except when in the spotlight.”

Take a listen at https://www.reverbnation.com/main/featured_on/2023_11_13/russlorenson

REVERBNATION FEATURED ARTIST WEEK 4

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As previously mentioned, ALL 15 tracks for my new album, “Standard Time: Live In New York” were rated highly enough to earn a ReverbNation Featured Artist spot, meaning that each track will be featured on the Crowd Picks page of ReverbNation for 1 week. This week the featured track is “Hello” by Lionel Richie.

Taken as the third single from Richie’s multi-platinum album “Can’t Slow Down,” the song was released in 1984 and reached number one on three separate Billboard music charts: the Pop chart (for two weeks); the R&B chart (for three weeks); and the Adult Contemporary chart (for six weeks). The song also went to number 1 on the UK Singles Chart. It is considered by many as Richie’s signature song.

Our version was inspired by an arrangement by Paul Anka, who recorded the tune on his 2005 “Rock Swings” album, which contains #swing #jazz covers of popular rock and pop songs from the 1980s and 1990s.

Check it out here: https://www.reverbnation.com/main/featured_on/2023_11_07/russlorenson

LATEST SINGLE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-SAVE

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“It’s Raining Memories,” the second single from my new album “Standard Time: Live In New York” is available for Pre-Save across all major music platforms! Follow this link to pre-save the single on your favorite music platform!

This song is super special to me – I co-wrote it with my longtime (long-suffering?) musical director, Kelly Park.

The title came from a very corny song written by Ronnie Graham for New Faces of 1952 and sung by Robert Clary (yes, Corporal LeBeau from “Hogan’s Heroes”!) in the film. That song was written to be purposely bad, but the title stuck with me and I crafted new lyrics that Kelly set to a gorgeous new melody.

A pre-release review by Zachary Larson says, “‘It’s Raining Memories’ is an evocative journey down memory lane. Russ Lorenson and Kelly Park’s creation beautifully captures the nostalgia of bygone moments. Lorenson’s mesmerizing voice, combined with the brilliant instrumental backup, makes this track a delightful exploration of love, loss, and remembrance.“

Follow this link to pre-save the single on your favorite music platform!

“RAISE THE ROOF” AROUND THE GLOBE

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My new single “Raise The Roof” has been added to a bunch of Spotify playlists around the world, exposing it to over 30,000 new listeners! I am so grateful to the curators of these playlists who have added my tracks to their collections – if you’re a Spotify user, please check out these playlists and follow them:

BALADAS EN INGLÉS DEL AYER Y HOY (Peru):

Radyo Voyage 2023 (Turkey) (special shout out for these guys – they also added “You’re All I Want For Christmas” to this playlist! Teşekkürler!):

Study With Me (Canada):

Sons do Guardinha | The cool jazz collection (Brazil):

Glamorous Gold (USA):

Jazz For The Soul (USA):

ALBUM RELEASE EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

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The official album release event for my new album will be held on MONDAY, DECEMBER 4 at 7:00pm at The Triad Theatre in Manhattan. The event is being held as a benefit for the American Songbook Association and all proceeds generated will go to this amazing organization who seeks to preserve and promote The Great American Songbook through Cabaret Scenes Magazine, its educational programs for students and its engagement programs for seniors.

As I posted yesterday, I won’t be able to personally sing at the event, but I will be hosting and sharing the music from the album via some great friends who WILL be performing: Billy Stritch, Mary Foster Conklin, Lennie Watts and Jennifer Roberts! Additionally, we will remember my pal Ray Jessel, beloved composer and cabaret artist, to whom the album is dedicated.

Tickets are on sale now, and this event is sure to sell out! The theatre is intimate, with only 110 seats available, so don’t wait to get your tickets. As an added benefit, all ticketholders will receive a copy of the album included as part of the ticket price.

If you’re in the area (or want to visit New York!), I do hope that you can make it and help me to celebrate this album, a great organization, and the ongoing health of the Songbook.

REVERBNATION FEATURED ARTIST WEEK 2

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As I mentioned last week, after being submitted for review, ALL 15 tracks for my new album, “Standard Time: Live In New York” were rated highly enough to earn a ReverbNation Featured Artist spot, meaning that each track will be featured on the Crowd Picks page of ReverbNation for 1 week. This week the featured track is “The Party Upstairs,” a song with music by Ronny Whyte and lyrics by the late, great Francesca Blumenthal. It was originally recorded by my buddy Marlene VerPlanck. Ronny was in the audience the night we recorded this and you can hear me chat with him at the beginning of this live track.

Check it out here: https://www.reverbnation.com/main/featured_on/2023_10_24/russlorenson

NEW SINGLE AVAILABLE NOW!

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It’s here! “Raise The Roof” is out now! 🙌

The initial track from my upcoming live album “Standard Time: Live In New York” is available NOW!

“Raise The Roof” is a vibrant, high-energy song by composer Andrew Lippa from his off-Broadway show “The Wild Party”. A catchy, rhythmic melody marked by infectious enthusiasm and jazzy undertones, it’s an anthem of escapism & indulgence, and urges the listener to set aside worries and celebrate life. Which is exactly what I’m doing today as I celebrate releasing my first new music in 8 years!

Joining me on this track are Kelly Park on piano, Tom Hubbard on bass, Brian Carmody on drums, and Terrence Brewer on guitar – an A-list band for sure! I love you guys!

→ Listen on all streaming platforms & wherever you listen to music!

REVERBNATION FEATURED ARTIST

PermalinkNews

Exciting news! After being submitted for review, ALL 15 tracks for my new album, Standard Time: Live In New York were rated highly enough to earn a ReverbNation Featured Artist spot, meaning that each track will be featured on the Crowd Picks page of ReverbNation for 1 week! This week the first featured track is “It’s Raining Memories,” a song co-written by me and my longtime musical director Kelly Park.

Check it out here:

https://www.reverbnation.com/main/crowd_picks/2023_10_17/russlorenson

NEW SINGLE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-SAVE

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I’m excited to announce that the first single from my new album “Standard Time: Live In New York” is available for Pre-Save across all major music platforms! Follow this link to pre-save the single on your favorite music platform!

Who says The Great American Songbook stopped being written in 1959? Many have deemed that The Great American Songbook is going extinct. But in 2008, I saw it differently. I put together a show of “new standards,” demonstrating that songs with soul and depth were still being crafted. My show, “Standard Time,” was a tribute to love and relationships, shedding light on the fresh pages being added to The Great American Songbook of the New Millennium.

While initially recorded with the intention of a 2009 release, this album of songs from performances at the beloved (and sorely missed) Metropolitan Room nightclub in New York had been shelved. But now, 15 years later, these rediscovered gems validate my belief: many have indeed evolved into the new generation’s standards.

Every track on this album draws inspiration from composers who themselves have been torchbearers of the classic standards — artists like Michael Feinstein, Harry Connick Jr., John Pizzarelli, Tony DeSare and more. Their modern compositions, echoing with undertones of jazz classics, stand as testament to the living, breathing, evolving nature of the Songbook.

“Raise the Roof” is a vibrant, high-energy song by composer Andrew Lippa. A catchy, rhythmic melody marked by infectious enthusiasm and jazzy undertones, it’s an anthem of escapism & indulgence, and urges the listener to set aside worries and celebrate life.

Follow this link to pre-save the single on your favorite music platform!

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE RUSS LORENSON HOLIDAY SONG AND ENTER TO WIN!

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Balsam Hill (my favorite Christmas store!) is starting to count down the the days to the most wonderful time of the year! And, if you share your all-time favorite (RUSS LORENSON) holiday song, it could be part of their holiday playlist!

Simply go to this Facebook post

In the Comments, just add your favorite Russ Lorenson Christmas tune and tag me and (2) other friends for a chance to win the Lit Wooden Alpine Village Advent Calendar in their 100 Days to Christmas Giveaway!

(Check out this Spotify playlist of Russ Lorenson Christmas tracks for suggestions)

Rules and eligibility in the Balsam Hill post. Entry deadine September 22, 2023, 11:59 PM PT. Multiple entries allowed! USA only. Winner will be announced on September 23, 2023.

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