Frank Smith Quartet – introducing Lauren Hooker

Lauren Hooker-vocals/piano, Frank Smith-sax/flute/piano, Eric Bart-guitar, Jon Murray-bass, Jeff Pellaton-drums

Lauren Hooker just recently moved to the Valley from the New York Metropolitan area to be closer to family. She is not just a singer, she is a consummate musician, known as a multi-talented vocalist, instrumentalist, composer, lyricist, educator, producer and storyteller via her Arts in Education Company: Musical Legends. Out of a flood of rave reviews regarding her critically acclaimed CDs,  JAZZ TIMES writes … “undeniably impressive… certainly imaginative… can hold her own against pretty much any singer- songwriter in the business… ability to add lyrics to instrumental classics (to Monk, Mal Waldron, Wayne Shorter, Fats Waller) … is flat-out masterful.” JAZZ IMPROV NY says … “a skilled scatter, talented lyricist and songwriter…intriguing, impressive.” and ALL ABOUT JAZZ LA states … “Here’s a vocalist that is going to knock you off your chair… hits a double off the wall… her voice – rich, confident and assured – like Dianne Reeves, pitch perfect.” Once you hear her, you’ll know why there is so much to rave about.

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Frank Smith has performed with many well-known artists over the years. Here is a partial list:

Gladys Knight and the Pips, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Fifth Dimension, The Coasters, The Platters, Bill Medley, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Glen Campbell, Ricky Nelson, The Drifters, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Diamonds, The Marvelettes, The Shirelles, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., Bo Didley, Wolfman Jack, Sam Moore, Bobbie Lewis, Rosemary Clooney, Margaret Whiting, Roger and Roger, Danny Ganz, Scott Record, Frank Gorshen, Harry Blackstone Jr., Bob Newhart, Bill Watrous, Toots Thielemans, Airto Moriera, Flora Purim, Alex Acuna, Lenny White, Jack Sheldon, Dan Haerle, Tom Ferguson.

Local Phoenix musicians: Charles Lewis, Chuck Marohnic, Armand Boatman, Fred Forney, Alice Tatum, Margo Reed, Francine Reed, Mike Reed, Nancy Gee, Dennis Rowland, Viva Jazz, Al Raitano, Keith Greko, Lee Meza, Diana Lee, Danny Long, Delphine Cortez, Joel Robin, Sherry Roberson, Cindy Smith, Colleen Callahan, Triad, and Nuance.

In addition he had some television credits: Featured woodwind soloist on Emmy winning CBS series Evening Shade starring Burt Reynolds. Also, soloist on ABC B.L. Stryker series 1989-1990. He was featured on Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau, Valley of the Sun “Irresistible.” He was a featured soloist with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra Evening at Pops.

 

 

TICKETS:
Tier 1: $30 (Tier 1 seats are at 2-top tables)
Tier 2: $27
Tier 3: $22
Students: $8.80 (Use code “student” at checkout)
(Plus processing costs)