October 10, 2013

LAWT News Service

 

Songstress Martha Taylor LaCroix will perform at The Gardenia on Friday, Oct. 11, 2013.  She will be accompanied in her classy vocal style by legendary pianist Karen Hernandez and highly respected multi-talented Dave Hopkins on percussions.  Entitled, “A Joyful Noise in Song,” the performance will include a tribute to breast cancer survivors, family and friends.  October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  October 11 has significant meaning to survivor Ms. LaCroix, as well.  It is the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990. Dinner will be served from 7 to 9 p.m. and the show will begin promptly at 9 p.m.  The performance will be presented by social networking jazz diva, Dolores Peterson.

“Consistently interesting” is how Ms. LaCroix was described by one reviewer.  Her vocal stylings encompass a range of musical influences from spiritual classics to traditional jazz compositions.  Ms. LaCroix earned her professional chops as a singer with the chorus of the New Orleans Opera Company several years ago.  She later joined the Dick Stabile (musical director for Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis) Orchestra in New Orleans as a vocalist.  Like so many spirited musicians, Ms. LaCroix began singing as a child in the church of her legendary father, the Rev. Gardner C. Taylor at Concord Baptist Church in New York City.  Her father inspired her first CD “Seasoned for Fathers and Sons.”  Her sophomoric recording "The Reason - Seasoned for Christmas" is a collection of spiritual Christmas selections most notably her popular rendition of “I Give You Jesus.”

Ms. LaCroix has released three recordings that reflect her varied musical interest.  The most recent is collection of jazz classics recorded and produced with legendary pianist and arranger Howlett Smith.  This recording features some popular originals by Mr. Smith including, “Let’s Go Where the Grass is Greener” originally recorded by vocalist extraordinaire Nancy Wilson.   Titled “Jazzily Seasoned with Martha Taylor LaCroix,” this latest recording echoes the words of another reviewer who said; “Marti comes across with a cool, elegant, diamond-and-pearl restraint.”

The Gardenia is located at 7066 Santa Monica Blvd. (one block east of LaBrea Blvd.) in West Hollywood.  Tickets are $10 plus dinner or a two drink minimum.   Reservations are encouraged and are available by calling: (323) 467-7444.

Category: Arts & Culture