Sunday, April 21, 2013

Blog is moving!

Hey everyone,

I just took a fantastic wordpress class by Karen at Impact Online Marketing, so my blogger site is moving! I can't wait for all the cool features I'll be enjoying, I've grown out of this basic platform pretty quickly.

To see what's in store, visit www.lauragabriele.com

Friday, April 19, 2013

Learn to swing dance, we'll provide the music!

Hello, beautiful people. I want to share this event with you, as it will be my last big show in Missoula for awhile! I have a 6-piece swing band ready to go, which includes Bob Athearn, the indomitable piano personality who has been getting a lot of press lately.


I have always loved working with Bob because of his quick wit and great piano chops. What I didn't know is that he's 76 years old, and was only 4 years from retirement after 30 years of working for the University of Montana... until they let him go due to budget cuts this month, to be replaced with recorded music. Doesn't that just make your skin crawl??

I hope you'll come to the swing dance and support me as I say goodbye to Missoula. But with this additional news, I also hope you'll show your support for Bob Athearn by attending this event and just thanking him for making the University a more wonderful place for so many years. The article which discusses Bob leaving can be found here.

The University will surely come to regret their choice! Check out this great video of Bob created by Sally Finneran, and read the article about Bob Athearn's contribution to the U.



[From Kaimin article "The Man Behind the Music", written by Lizzy Duffy with photos by Megan Jae Riggs]

So, will you join us to celebrate this legacy and give me a great kick-off to the next stop on my slow motion world tour?

Again, the show is Saturday April 20th, 2013 
At the University of Montana UC Ballroom
Lesson at 7pm, Live Music starts at 8pm
Tickets at Door: $5 UM students/staff/faculty, $7 general admission, $8 couples

I really hope to see you there.

~ Laura Gabriele


Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Slow Motion World Tour Continues

Laura Gabriele Blues Singer
Photo by: Casey Massena

Hey everyone,

I have some news. I wanted to share this with you in a video but it was too emotional for me! In just 11 days, I'm packing up and leaving Missoula.

I only have two shows left, so I hope I can entertain you one more time before I make my exit.

I'm going to miss all of you so much, and want you to know how much I appreciate what you've done to encourage and inspire me to form my band, record my original songs, and perform locally.

I have three main reasons that I'm leaving.

First and foremost, my husband and I have earned our degrees which brought us out to Montana in the first place! We're really excited to start our next chapter, and just like every new chapter of our lives together so far, it all begins with a cross-country road trip.

Second, I have a serious problem with staying in one place. Actually, I don't think of it as a problem, more as a state of being. I have a gypsy spirit! Anyone who has known me for more than a few years knows that I don't stay in one place for too long. If it helps, you can think of my life as a very slow motion world-tour.

Third, it's time to be closer to family and some major cities where I can really spread my wings, making the East coast my destination of choice.

Missoula wisdom: I want everyone out there to know that when you go for any goal, you need to look around you for the people who truly care and want to see you succeed. Remain open to their advice, constructive criticism, and their offers to help you along the way. And remember to thank them in every way you can. Still, always remain true to yourself and your own vision.

I have some Missoula people to thank for my exponential growth. It certianly hasn't been a one-person project. I wish I had time to thank you all in person.

I want to thank Marie Pettit, a local musician who helped introduce me to the Montana jazz scene. Her friendliness and giving spirit gave me the courage to start up music again in a place that at the time was totally unfamiliar to me. Tommy Pertis was first to invite me on a Missoula stage, and would welcome me up by saying "If you haven't heard Laura sing yet, you're in for a treat"... which gave me a permanent goofy smile during my songs. Also thanks to Kyle Gillett who connected me with his band and did some really cool collaborations with me, opening the door for me to work with Soulaphone and Kung Fu Kongress, the coolest bands in town.

My gratitude to Sonja Grimmsmann who helped me define my goals for my music career in the Entertainment Management Program, and thereby became a catalyst for my first major music project, "Laura and The Salvation Blues", also thanks to Dom who volunteered time and energy to helping me hone my online presence. To the Montana Musicians and Artists Coalition who hosted my first performance, and for the members of Elevate Church who packed the house for it. It was an amazing start to my endeavor!

I want to thank my original band members of The Salvation Blues Christopher, Andrew, Alyssa, and Jordan who patiently worked through my original songs when they were still in their infancy to bring them to life in a big way. Thank you to Youa Vang , Megan Jae Riggs , and Jake England for your incredible portait photography, Amanda Peterson for the great live band shots, some of which are still my band member's profile pics.

Thank you to Bruce who runs Daly Jazz for bringing world-class jazz acts to Missoula, and allowing me to volunteer. To my vocal jazz mentor Eden Atwood whose work with me has already been mentioned on this blog a time or two.

I hold deep admiration for Alyssa McLean, who served as a living example of how to incorporate a great passion and talent with faith and humility in music.

Also thanks to Keaton Wilson, whose piano accompaniment and interest in my original music kept my musical wheels turning even in the face of my temporary setbacks.

These Missoula people helped make my pursuit of music here a success in my mind.

There are many others I haven't listed here, and others still who may not live in Missoula but are always important to my growth.

I believe it's never too early or too late to thank someone for their impact on you. 

I will miss you all, I promise to visit again and I hope we can have a renuinion of sorts someday.

Please stay in touch, I'm excited for what's to come. I'm looking forward to sharing it with you.

With love and gratitude,

Laura Gabriele




Wednesday, April 10, 2013

The Red Stiletto Effect

When I wear my red stilettos, I seriously feel like I could conquer the world... I wonder what the male equivalent is to my favorite accessory?

Before you shrug off this post as just being some girly love note to my shoes, think again!

Did you know that attitude is linked to what we wear? It absolutely is, that's why they say "dress for the job you want, not the job you have" ...It changes not just how you feel about yourself, but how others percieve you, and the combination of the two has the power to re-shape reality.

Not every situation calls for the red stiletto effect.

I only bring them out when I have some real kick-butt performing to do. It's my war paint.

I'll be using these shoes to my advantage today at noon in the University Center. I'll try to get some video but as always the best way to enjoy is to come see us play live!

<3
Laura

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

The Blues

I've been singing jazz for a long time, but I got hooked on the blues driving around in the desert valley of Las Vegas in 2009.

I realized something then: The blues, that familiar chordal pattern and genre so dear to us all contains within it some kind of amazing soothing power. Just the guitar rolling over the V chord on a turn-around can carry your emotions with it and, lift them up to God.

I believe we're not supposed to carry our sorrows around with us. And for those who have forgotten how to pray, the blues can put us in a state of mind that is a whole lot like prayer.

I'm feeling some of this right now as I face change in my life after graduating college. It is a happy time, and it is also full of sometimes unsettling uncertainty. Although I pray, sometimes I feel like I just don't have the words.

Thus, my latest song was born, and along with it, this little image that I have here for you:

I want to encourage you remember music. If you're going through something, don't forget that music might be the missing peice to set your heart right again. Go out and see a live performance!

If you're looking for a place to catch the blues ASAP in Missoula, tomorrow night (4/4/13) Kevin Van Dort kicks off his North American tour out of Draught Works Brewery. He is one of Missoula's best and has star quality. I really enjoyed singing Summertime with him and the Ed Norton Big Band, which I've posted here.

If you can make it, my next show is at high noon on the campus of The University of Montana Wednesday April 10th. You can find me in the middle of the University Center atrium singing the blues like it's my job... because it is. :)