THE LEGENDARY SONGBIRD
ELOISE LAWS
By Andre J Durall
Photography by Andre J Durall
Slip in any of the legendary Eloise Laws’ CDs an instantly you will fall in love with what she does best... with what Jazz fans have known for years: JAZZ. With her latest CD, Secrets, Eloise reunites with multi-Grammy, Award winning songwriter and producer, André Fischer, along with her famous siblings, Hubert, Ronnie and Debra Laws and re-reminds her fans why they love her so much. Eloise knocks out ballads like Tenderness, Leave The Light On and More Than You’ll Ever Know on this 10-track urban jewel.
On December 23rd, Eloise gave a stunning performance, which included a duet with Debra Laws, at the Wash Allen’s Happy Feet Dance held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Whether performing in concert, theatre, film or television, Eloise always leaves her audiences wanting more and Friday night was no exception.
The mid-70’s saw the emergence of a new kind of sophisticated female vocalists, who weren't always offered radio airplay; however, for the adventuresome listener who was willing to research new releases, there was much musical wealth to be found. Among these new and upcoming chanteuses, one stood alone by the sheer magnetism of her “instrument”: her voice. The term, “songbird,” was never used more appropriately, than to describe the vocal abilities of Eloise Laws.
Eloise’s soulful, easy-_owing singing voice is a direct representation her upbringing and regal, articulate character. At 12, she began singing. “Ohh… it seems like over a hundred years ago,” she laughed. “I started singing in church”. With her mother as choir director she naturally took to singing. She remembers singing the lead and being given many opportunities for solos. She continued to sing throughout high school where she caught the attention of Texas Southern University’s Music Department, who gave her a full scholarship.
On December 23rd, Eloise gave a stunning performance, which included a duet with Debra Laws, at the Wash Allen’s Happy Feet Dance held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Whether performing in concert, theatre, film or television, Eloise always leaves her audiences wanting more and Friday night was no exception.
The mid-70’s saw the emergence of a new kind of sophisticated female vocalists, who weren't always offered radio airplay; however, for the adventuresome listener who was willing to research new releases, there was much musical wealth to be found. Among these new and upcoming chanteuses, one stood alone by the sheer magnetism of her “instrument”: her voice. The term, “songbird,” was never used more appropriately, than to describe the vocal abilities of Eloise Laws.
Eloise’s soulful, easy-_owing singing voice is a direct representation her upbringing and regal, articulate character. At 12, she began singing. “Ohh… it seems like over a hundred years ago,” she laughed. “I started singing in church”. With her mother as choir director she naturally took to singing. She remembers singing the lead and being given many opportunities for solos. She continued to sing throughout high school where she caught the attention of Texas Southern University’s Music Department, who gave her a full scholarship.
After releasing several hit singles, she spent a brief stint with the group , 5th Dimension . Shortly thereafter Eloise took time away from recording to focus on family and other genres of show business. She headlined in the likes of South Pacific, House of Flowers, Candide and, most recently, in the acclaimed Broadway show, It Ain’t Nothin’ But The Blues . Eloise showcased her voice on Blues hits such as My Man Rocks Me and I Put A Spell On You.
Eloise Laws returned to her musical roots when she released one of the hottest jazz CD’s of 2000. The Key (Scepterstein Records), truly a family project, became an instant Eloise Laws classic. Her brother, Hubert, produced the entire album; Ronnie added his saxaphonic prowess and Debra Laws contributed her inspiring vocals. In 2003 Eloise released Secrets with long time
friend and producer, André Fischer. Fischer encouraged Eloise to embrace many musical challenges. “My producer, André Fischer, who I admire and reconnected with, brought a lot of new material…. “He challenged me with different pieces that I normally would not have performed… I love challenging myself,” she adds.
Secrets, a compilation of Urban Adult Contemporary, and Smooth Jazz is a work of art you will instantly fall in love with! For me, track four defines what this CD is all about. You can clearly feel Fischer’s influence on Leave The Light On—a soft ballad over a melody of horns, piano and drums. Eloise’s voice highlights the melody and says in reference to it: “this is what good music is all about.
The heart of Jazz is being transplanted by radio stations succumbing to 'Big Dollars'; Jazz’s face is being cosmetically reconstructed to deceive listeners into believing R & B is Jazz because, now, big names are attempting to water down a genre of music that has always stayed true to its roots.
“Musicians,” Eloise says, “have been displaced by way of machine. Drum machines have taken over… as well as computers; therefore, it's taken the beauty and life out of music. It’s more machine than actual human beings. That’s unfortunate,” she continues, “because music should have merit and it should have human beings at the forefront of what’s going on.” Jazz is one genre of music that has always been based on merit and Ms. Laws has withstood the test of time in 'the industry' and has set standards, not only for those in entertainment, but for society in general. This Jazz legend invites you to relax to Secrets, an authentic Jazz Creation. Discover for yourself where Jazz has gone astray and
Discover for yourself where Jazz has gone astray and how she and others are re-fertilizing The Root: JAZZ. For more information on Eloise Laws please visit website: www.eloiselaws.com.
