Lauren Kinhan Salutes Nancy Wilson

Critically acclaimed vocalist Lauren Kinhan B.M. '86 has released a new album, recorded in Berklee's Shames Family Scoring Stage, honoring legendary jazz vocalist Nancy Wilson, and will perform as part of The Checkout—Live at Berklee, a broadcast series with New York City jazz radio station WBGO, at the Red Room at Cafe 939 on November 8.

October 31, 2017

In addition to her well-known work with popular vocal group New York Voices since 1992, Lauren Kinhan B.M. '86 has released three albums of original songs and has worked with music icons such as Ornette Coleman ‘06H, Donna Summer, Elton John, Paquito D’Rivera ‘03H, and Bobby McFerrin ‘03H. Now, for the first time, Kinhan presents an album of standards with A Sleepin’ Bee, a reimagining of the songs of legendary jazz singer Nancy Wilson ‘94H. She recorded the album with eight-time Grammy-winning producer Elliot Scheiner in Berklee’s state-of-the-art Shames Family Scoring Stage, where students soaked in the process by observing the professional recording session turned master class.

Beyond observation, students Andres Abello, Pedro Calloni, and Loren Dorland also garnered some valuable professional experience by working as engineers on the project.

Kinhan's bandmates for A Sleepin’ Bee also share Berklee roots: in addition to Jared Schonig on drums, the band included Matt Penman '95 on bass and Ingrid Jensen B.M. '98 as special guest trumpeter. The result was an album that Jazz Times has called "more than a tribute," noting that all of the songs within are "cleverly, thoughtfully reinterpreted."

On Wednesday, November 8, at 8:00 p.m. at the Red Room at Cafe 939, Kinhan will perform as part of The Checkout—Live at Berklee, a broadcast series from Berklee and storied New York City jazz radio station WBGO.

In this Sounds of Berklee podcast, listen to the lead track from the new album:

Recording and Mixing Engineer: Darcy Davis
Producers: Mike Keefe-Feldman and Kimberly Ashton