Lauren is currently spending the month of August in Paris, France where she is performing at several clubs around this magnificent city.
She is living in the 7th Arridismont…on Avenue du Bosquet…in a 17th century building, the heart of Ecole’ de Militaire. The Eiffel Tower is right out her window.
She is performing in clubs, well known to Parisians and to world travelers…such as The Highlander, located directly off of the left bank of The Seine, across the bridge at Pont Neuf…The Swan Bar, Cabaret Populaire ….and some clubs by the sea in Normandy, where she had the great pleasure of spending time with popular New York Cabaret talent, Stacy Ward McAdams.
Stacy has owned a breathtaking chateau in Gerponville, Normandy (upper Normandy) for thirty years, where has spent his summers, planting magnificent gardens, raising his ducklings by the pond in front of his solarium, and enriching his wood supply for the many fireplaces that warm him in those chilly Normandy nights! New York eagerly looks forward to his return in October…when he rehearses for another sell-out performance at the Metropolitan Room December 3rd.
In Paris, introductions to other musicians and composers and music lovers seems to flow very easily. Especially after Lauren performs, as they do very much appreciate soul and R& B and Gospel sounds!
Last night, for example, her band included an amazing “fiddle” player from Japan, Kensuke Shoji who could play blues and bluegrass like the most down-home Kentucky boy she had ever heard… A Parisian, Nico, on Doghouse…(stand up bass) and a Welshman on Guitar! After they accompanied her on blues number, Let It Roll…she and the host of the evening, Talented Parisian singer /guitarist, Philippe Germaine did the Ike & Tina Turner version of Rollin’ on The River.
Lauren recently had a long outdoor café lunch with former Broadway star, Ursuline Kairson who was featured in Broadway’s award winning musical, Bubblin Brown Sugar. When Ursuline came to Paris with the show, 20 years ago….she was hired as the lead chanteuse at Paradis Latin Club in Paris and starred there on that stage for the next 18 years! Check out her dramatic video of her performance of Chic, Chic.
Brazilian composer, Iaentzen, who currently lives in Paris, heard Lauren sing her first night at the club…and quickly approached and felt strongly his original material and her voice would be a powerful fit. Always adoring bossa nova, and thrilled to work with a new talented artist and his original material, Lauren has rehearsed with Iaentzen and his marvelous guitar-playing partner Martin ..and together they have performed his original tune…The Streets of Budapest.
An Extraordinary Coincidence
Lauren knew no one when she came to Paris on this, her second visit. And only was given a name of a woman who through a friend might help her to find her way at first. It was this woman, Trelys Dupré also a chanteuse, poet, playwright and world traveler….who first brought Lauren to The Highlander thinking it might be a good place to start.
When Lauren approached the Host of the evening…to introduce herself, Thomas Brun, said to her….”you must have a twin in the united states!”…. Thinking this was just a flirty way of welcoming her, she played along and replied…”mais oui”….but where do you think she dwells???” Thomas replied….”Well, once in Bloomington Indiana, and now in New York City!”. Then he said, “ Lauren! Ca Va?” C’est Moi, Thomas!!”
It turned out that years ago, Thomas had come to the United States to record his first, amazing album titled ‘ALL‘ and Lauren had been hired to sing leads and back-ups on it!!!! There, as she sat at the bar in disbelief, he presented her with her copy of the CD!! With her credits and name all over it!!! Of all the places in Paris!!!
There is a song on this album..where the back ups include a belting repetition of the words…”gimmee….gimme”….and when Thomas revealed on his Facebook fan page that Lauren had come into his club…. Some of the responses said Alors!!! THE GIMME GIRL!!!! Tres’ bon!!! It was an unbelievably wonderful way to begin life in Paris.
Lauren will be coming home to New York City, at the end of August…and the returning once again to Paris for the months of November through January where she will continue to write and compose her play, The Blacksnake, and continue to explore singing and acting avenues in France and the United Kingdom.
