"Jazz at the Church" Spotlight: Laura Didier, Vocals

Vocalist Laura Didier, together with pianist Jim Martinez, began our Jazz at the Church Concert series in February 2009.

The concert was billed as "Church Hymns & Jazz Standards Swingin' Together" and was a fitting beginning to what has turned out to be a very successful and joyous endeavor for our parish.

In 2010 Laura and Jim will present not only the above-mentioned Jazz Praise concert, but have expanded into a second concert entitled "A Tribute to the Music of Doris Day." (click HERE for the "A Tribute to Doris Day" website)

It's good to have the two of them back with us again, and we'll probably have them revisit us in 2011, too... they absolutely love Sedona!

Here's a biographical sketch on Laura, culled from her myspace website:

"Laura Didier was raised with an appreciation for music by her father, a classically trained pianist, and her mother, with whom she shares a love of musical theater. At an early age, she developed her ear for song and found herself being drawn toward the sweet, sentimental, and sultry sounds of the great American vocalists. She was, and continues to be, inspired by the music of Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Sarah Vaughn, Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and many others.

"Didier has spent the past fifteen years supporting the Air Force career of her husband and raising their three sons, Alex, Sam, and Zach. While stationed from 1997-2004 in Goldsboro, NC, she joined the choir at her church. During that time, she continued to develop vocally and discovered that singing would always be her passion.

"Didier first began studying voice when she and her family moved to Carmel, CA in 2004. Two years later, she relocated to her hometown of Sacramento, CA, where she continued studying both classical and jazz singing. In August of 2008, Didier relocated back to Goldsboro, NC, where she and her family currently reside.

"Jam sessions are a great place to play and meet other musicians. While living in Sacramento, Didier had the fortune of meeting CA Jazz pianist Jim Martinez in February of 2007 at such an event. She has been performing with his group nationally ever since. Highlights have included the Sacramento, CA Jazz Festival, the Vacaville, CA Jazz Festival, and a Christmas concert in Davenport, IA. In February of 2008, she traveled with the Jim Martinez trio to Moscow, ID for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival where she participated in the "Jazz in the Schools" program and assisted with student workshops. Most recently, Didier returned from her first international appearance at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in New Brunswick, Canada.

"Didier continues to expand her musical skills by adding business and promotions. She co-headlined and co-produced the Spring 2008 "Sacramento/Seattle Jazz Divas" concert in Loomis, CA as well as a Christmas concert in Goldsboro, NC in November of 2008. Along with her pianist and musical director Jim Martinez, Didier has co-developed a "Tribute to the Music of Doris Day" show which premiered in Roseville, CA in February of 2009."

Laura can be found on the internet on MySpace and her new website, LauraDidier.com. Here's Laura singing at a concert in Carmel, California a while back...