Laura Camara – A Voice of Independent Music

Tags

jazz, life, music, performing arts

As you know, I occasionally interview my talented friends and acquaintances.  Recently I attended  Laura Camara’s concert and I was impressed by her voice, her stage presence and her connection with the audience.  My conversation with Laura took place several days after the concert.

Laura Camara is an award winning jazz vocalist, winning second place in New York City’s Jazzmobile Vocal Competition. Laura has also performed at top jazz venues and festivals around the world such as The Montreux Jazz Festival, The Boston Pops Jazz Festival, and the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Program at the John F. Kennedy National Center for the Performing Arts. She has recently returned from an extended Asian Tour throughout Thailand, Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. Performing for the US Embassy and State department, The Royal Thai family, and headlining The Ubud Village Jazz Festival in Bali, Indonesia. In addition to live performances Laura has been a featured profiled artist on WGBH Boston’s National Public Radio and famous New York City Web Series Capsulocity.  Laura hails from Columbus, and I was fortunate to catch a performance on her home turf.

Singing was your childhood dream. How does real life compare to it?

One of them yes. I thought I would be a Broadway star in New York or a street artist in Paris. I was always involved in the arts one way or another. Music was always something that I could just do. There are videos of me at three years old singing Opera to Gloria Estefan on our fireplace. The thrill of performing is still there but as an adult and a professional it is a bit different than I thought. As a kid you think it will be all creating and performing, but the truth is 80% of my work is logistics: emailing, booking, budgeting, marketing strategies– but that justmakes the creative part more rewarding.

What is the part you enjoy most about your work?

Sounds simple but…playing together. There is this moment when you work with a great band where, without any verbal or visual communication, you hear each other. You actually hear who they are! Then you begin speaking to each other through the music. Somehow everyone just clicks! And you end up taking the music and the audience to places you didn’t know you could go.

“I think about the story I want to tell first.”

How do you select material when you compose a song?

Well I’d have to say I think about the story I want to tell first. With my compositions, the music is usually composed to emphasize the message of the song. Even if it isn’t my own composition, I listen to the lyrics and, if I feel connected to the story, I find a way to make it my own. I like to pull material from any genre because to me genre is irrelevant when you have a sound that is yours and yours alone.

“Genre is irrelevant when you have a sound that is yours and yours alone.”

So Laura, do you compose and arrange all your material yourself?

Yes for the most part. Occasionally I will collaborate but I do compose my originals and arrangements on my own.

What are you most known for as an artist?

Right now I am perhaps best known for my ability to do what we call scat singing which is a way that jazz vocalist freely improvise alternate melodies without words. I travel internationally giving master classes on the subject. I am also known for my jazz arrangements of pop and rock & roll classics.

What would you like to be known for, Laura?

I would like my music to serve a greater purpose in the world. As artists, we have a unique ability to move and unite people. I feel we have a responsibility to use our art to speak out for the things that matter and spread positivity. If I can help make the world a better place with my art I will be happy.

Laura, is there one performance that stands out in your memory you’d like to share?

There are a few. Janna. Performing at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC was a great one. I did, just last year, get to perform for   the late King of Thailand’s Birthday Celebration with The Royal Family in attendance which was a huge honor. However the performance that I am most proud of is a show that I wrote produced and performed last year at the American Cultural Center in Jakarta, Indonesia. The show is called “Songs Of My Father; Music of The Flower Generation”

Laura Camara performing at the late King of Thailand Birthday Celebration

It is a multimedia show that tells the story of what happened in America in the 1960’s told through video, photo images, live interviews, and most importantly the music.

Is there one place you haven’t performed that is at the top of your bucket list?

Carnegie Hall would be nice….

Then, I’ll count on two seats at your first concert there. OK?  What projects do you have coming up?

I am working on the release of my debut solo album titled “My Ascension,” named for my most popular composition. I am very excited about it. It will be mostly my original compositions with a few arrangements of some popular songs. It is going to be a deeply personal record, showing people exactly who I am and what I am about. I am still booking my original show “Songs Of My Father” I am also working on creating a new multimedia show featuring other singers and women in jazz called “SHE”. I like to stay busy.

What do you see for yourself professionally in the next year or two?

Where do I see myself? Well…Definitely traveling from place to place and making beautiful music. Promoting my album and making socially relevant music, connecting with new people and hopefully spreading some joy and positive messages. On some big international stages for sure.

When should we expect your album out?

I am in the recording phase right now. We plan to have it out by Christmas of 2017.

Is there anything , Laura, you would like to ask from the readers?

I would ask the readers two things: Go support independent art any way you can and go out in the world and spread some love to everyone you meet.

… and how would you describe your musical style?

Well I would describe as modern jazz vocals with a twist. I like to think of it as modern jazz harmonies, with singer songwriter lyrics, and electric grooves from hip hop to samba.

I have an impression  that you play other instruments.  Is this true?

Yes. I play piano, guitar, drums, and violin. I just don’t play all of them in my concerts I use them to help me compose mostly.

Is there somewhere our readers can hear a sample of your singing?

Yes. You can go to my website:  lauracamaramusic.com  or look me up on YouTube as Laura Camara. I will have a new video series coming out that i have been working on of some solo vocal harmonies. They can also follow me on Facebook, and on Twitter as @LCamaraMusic

Throughout your career, Laura, what has meant the most to you?

That’s easy. Absolutely, the ability to travel and to experience something beyond my realm of understanding. I have been fortunate enough to not only travel but spend extended periods of time in many different countries. Places where I play with musicians who don’t even speak the same language as me and somehow we understand each other. We don’t need words to communicate. I have been welcomed into homes and been cared for by people whom I have never met before. What I have realized through all of this is that… in the end it’s just people!

That is all. We are all connected to each other in more ways than we are different. It has made me more compassionate and understanding and given me the ability to love on a level I never expected.

What are some your favorite places you have traveled for your music?

Well I have gone to some interesting places, Janna. Of course I loved Switzerland and France but I loved Vietnam, India, & Bali. I like to perform in unusual places. That way, I get to see more of the world.

Laura’s Press Kit Video

https://youtu.be/5a488flPjWI

Live from jazz for the King of Thailand Concert. My arrangement of “The Rainbow Connection” which will be featured on my debut album:

https://youtu.be/2mh8n1GzU6Y

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Rosalind Winton’s Link From The Past

My project to produce a movie from my book Love Is Never Past Tense led me to Stage 32, an online community of 500,000 creatives. When I started to engage with them, an editor invited me to write an article for their blog. I responded enthusiastically (see the article here), which started an email exchange with Rosalind Winton. Rosalind is an editor and lyricist from “across the pond” and we became friends.

After Rosalind read my book, she shared a story from a few branches back along her family tree. When I realized it included a historic event and a song she has written, it was time to invite her to my blog.

Hi Rosalind! Tell us please how your song about the Titanic came about?

Rosalind Winton recording The Bear On Lonely Lake audio story

 

I’m so glad you asked me that question, as I absolutely love talking about this; you might want to grab a coffee or something for this story. My Paternal Great Grandfather Harry Corn died on the Titanic. He was married to Rebecca, and they had two daughters Stella and Fay who were about six and four years old respectively. They wanted to travel to America to reunite Rebecca with her family; they had been split up after migrating from Russia. Some of the family went to America and some, including Rebecca, had come to London. They sold their successful upholstery business and bought four tickets for Titanic, but near to the time they were due to leave, one of the girls became ill and couldn’t go. So, it was decided Harry would go on ahead and the rest of the family would follow later. Of course, he never arrived.

The story of Titanic has always meant a great deal to me and I had always wanted to write a lyric about it, but over the years, everything I tried to do just wasn’t right. I was never happy with the outcomes.

One day, Mick Cooper whom I was working with on some songs said “I have a challenge for you!” He wanted me to write a lyric about something “that wasn’t human”. He said it could be about anything at all, as long as it wasn’t human.

I love a challenge, and for many weeks I wrestled with his idea. I tried out all sorts of different connotations on a theme.

One day, I was looking at Harry’s picture, and it hit me: Titanic isn’t human! I’d write about that. Weeks and months went by…  I kept trying, hoping one day I’d have a eureka moment. And it came! It came during the final of the Wimbledon tennis championships. Right at the end of the match, the winner was walking around the court, holding up his trophy.  The audience was applauding. The press was taking photos. All of a sudden, in my mind’s eye, I saw the Titanic superimposed on the TV screen, and the chorus for the lyric suddenly appeared in my head, in its entirety. I grabbed a pen and wrote it down. It was perfect and from there I wrote two verses and a bridge. I decided to put a twist on the whole challenge and write the lyric so that the Titanic came across as human. Within half an hour, I had the whole lyric, I showed it to Mick. He loved it and he composed beautiful music to it.  Mick’s friend John Paul McCrohon has provided a stunning vocal. The song has since gone on to win a Merit Award at the Portsmouth Music Festival in 2001. It’s been aired on the radio and played at Titanic Exhibitions. I am so proud of this song!

Rosalind! I am so proud of you too! My congratulations! Can you share the lyric for us?

You can view a video of it here. Here’s the lyric…

Lyrics to A Beautiful Lady – Titanic

Tell us a bit about your lyric writing.

I’ve been writing for over 30 years and enjoyed some lovely achievements. I’ve been lucky enough to see some of my songs performed live on stage, I’ve won awards at music festivals, written lyrics for school plays, solo artists and studio vocalists. I’ve also written for as yet unsigned musicals, which is something I really love doing. My biggest ambition is to write for film. I hope to fulfill that dream one day. Writing my lyrics is something I’ve always been extremely passionate about. I’ve worked in recording studios, overseeing the production of my songs and this is where I get to direct talented musicians and vocalists, people I’ve had so much pleasure working with. It’s the most incredible experience! What I love most, is starting off with a blank page and an idea, and building on that until it finally becomes a fully produced song. There’s really nothing like it. You can see more on the music page to my website.

So, Ros, who has been your main inspiration?

Without a doubt, the genius that is Barry Manilow. When I first discovered him, I was about 17 years old, and I had been writing for a couple of years. I bought Barry’s first album and as I listened to the songs on the album, I realized that was how I wanted to write my lyrics.

I spent hours studying the lyrics of all Barry’s songs. I learned a great deal doing that, especially about structure and timing. Barry also gives his songs big, musical theatre type endings. I realized very early on, that’s how I wanted to write my songs, using the time to ‘say something’, tell a story or portray a feeling and build the song right up if appropriate. I have been a lifelong fan of Barry’s, I learn from him all the time, he’s an incredible performer, writer, arranger. When I write my lyrics, I think of Barry as an imaginary gauge to how I’m doing. I ask myself if I think a lyric I am writing is good enough to show to Barry. If the answer comes back ‘yes’, that is really good, if it comes back ‘no’, I go to re-write mode. Barry has always been encouraging in his messages to his fans and audiences about never giving up, being positive and believing in yourself, which has really helped. I have met Barry a few times. The last time was in New York for a talk he was giving about writing for musical theatre. There was a meet and greet afterwards, and I was able to tell him that I write,  that he has always been my inspiration, and how much I have learned from him over the years.

We met because of your editing work at Stage32.com. You also offer freelance editing as One Voice Literary Agency. How do you describe your editing work?

Publishers have their own editors and proof readers, but my aim is to inspire, advise and help new authors and those who are already in the process of writing, to reach a high standard of professionalism that will encompass everything a publisher or producer will look for on a first read-through.

I have an excellent understanding of what publishers expect to receive from authors. I also help authors write synopses of their work, the all important covering letters and advice on submitting manuscripts to publishers.

What work do you take on, what do you look for when deciding whether or not to take on a project?

It doesn’t really matter what the subject is, or what the genre is, I work on presentation, spelling, grammar, format if it’s a screenplay, continuity, and character and story development. It could be an epic novel or a short article, a psychological thriller, romance or children’s picture book.

What final message do you have for our readers?

Do what you love, find a way, even if it seems impossible and even if it means you won’t reach the top, do it anyway. Don’t let anyone tell you, you can’t, believe in what you do and grab any opportunity that taps you on the shoulder.

OK, Rosalind. It was a pleasure talking with you. Thanks for visiting us and thanks for sharing your interesting story about your great-grandfather Harry and Titanic.

http://www.onevoiceliteraryagency.com/ https://www.facebook.com/OneVoiceLiteraryAgency/?fref=ts http://www.onevoiceliteraryagency.com/my-music.html  https://www.stage32.com/home/

365 Ideas To Go From Good To Great On TWITTER! Interview with John Sparks

Tags

books, Coaching, IamJohnSparks, Sosial Media, Twitter

Today’s conversation is with John Sparks, the author of 365 Ideas To Go From Good To Great On TWITTER! and an expert on the use of Social Media as a promotion tool. I learned several things when consulting with him that this article shares with you.

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Hello John. Thanks for coming. Let’s start with a question I could put in a tweet: What do you do?

Hello hello Janna! I wear so many hats sometimes it’s tough knowing where to start. I’m a nationally recognized social media power influencer, best-selling author, keynote speaker, and a social media coach and consultant. I’m CEO of a social media coaching and consulting company called Online ImageWorks. With my company, I work with just about anyone you can think of helping them to build buzz about their brand and reach their business goals by using the power of social media. Finally, I am a teacher and professor. I have taught college level courses as an adjunct professor in advertising, journalism, and online journalism.

Tell us more about your coaching.

I truly have a passion for people. I don’t believe in a cookie cutter; one size fits all approach to my social media coaching. Everyone has different needs and learning styles. I customize the way I do my coaching to specifically meet the needs, learning styles, and challenges of those I work with. Although my specialty is Twitter and I’ve been called the “Twitter Go-To Guy”, I also do coaching and consulting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and just about any social media channel you can think of. I work with newbies, intermediate users, and advanced users. I not only teach my clients and those I work with how to use social media, but I also teach them strategies on how to be more productive at using social media and get a greater return on the time they are spending online.

Who is your ideal client?

Anyone who has an interest in social media and learning more about it!

Why do you focus on Twitter?

Glad we have more than 140 characters to flush this one out! Whenever I’m speaking with groups, one of the first things I hear over and over again is that people don’t understand Twitter! The funny part is, up until 4 years ago I didn’t either.

I signed up for Facebook in ‘07, LinkedIn in ‘08, and Twitter in ’09, but my main focus for being on social media was for professional networking. I always thought LinkedIn was best for professional networking because this is how LinkedIn brands themselves. So I was all about LinkedIn. Fast forward to 2012, I was going through a career change and was checking out profiles on LinkedIn. I came across the page of someone who’s now a good friend of mine who stated they were a “Forbes Top 50 Social Media Influencer”. Wow, I thought to myself, that would be a nice title to have and if I could make a living at doing it, it would be even better. So I started looking into people who were social media influencers and found where they had hundreds and thousands of followers on Twitter, Sparks had less than 800 and if I wanted to have that title I needed to do something about Twitter. So I started looking deep into the purpose of each of the social media networks and learning what they were about and how to use them effectively.

During this process, what I learned about Twitter was that:

Unlike the traditional ways of connecting with others on Facebook and LinkedIn where you have to send a request to someone and they have to accept it in order to communicate, with Twitter, you can get your message out to people and you don’t necessarily have to be following them and they don’t have to be following you for them to receive that message.

1. Where Linkedin’s User Agreement specifically states you’re only supposed to send LinkedIn connection requests to people you know…and Facebook was designed for friends connecting with friends through a “Friend Request” …the follower/following relationship on Twitter makes it the better platform for connecting with people you don’t know.
2. Twitter can be great for SEO because Twitter and Google have a strong relationship.
3. Studies show that almost ¾ of one’s followers will amplify content for free by Retweeting it, and almost half plan to make multiple purchases from the small and medium sized-businesses they follow on Twitter, making it a terrific platform for both personal brands and businesses.

These are just a couple of the reasons I focus on Twitter!

What do you focus on when creating a brand?

Always focus on the people behind the brand first. Brands are only as strong as the people who represent them and make up the brand.

How do you select people to follow?

It’s a tricky process. I select people to follow with the intention of forming a direct relationship with them, the people they follow, or the people who are following them. That being said, I’m also a strong believer in doing unto others. If I follow someone and they don’t follow me back, then after a certain period of time I will typically unfollow them. After I unfollow them, If I am still interested in that person’s content, I will add them to a Twitter list where I can monitor their feeds and don’t have to follow them. I don’t believe in following others for the sake of adding followers to someone’s follower count. I do it with the purpose of building relationships and relationships are a two-way street.

What was the inspiration for your book 365 Ideas To Go From Good To Great On TWITTER!

I wanted a tool to share with others how I went from less than 800 followers to where I’m at now. I wanted it to be something that was easy to understand and that people could pick up, put down, take with them, and refer back to.

At one level the book is about Twitter, but at another level the book is about so much more! Many of the principles and tips in the book can be applied and used on the other social media platforms as well. Get the book on Amazon and you’ll see!

 Where can people find out more about you?

 Janna, I’m a true believer in authentic, one-on-one relationships! Anyone interested in finding out more about me can contact me directly at IAmJohnSparks@gmail.com and I will reply back. They can also reach out to me on Twitter @IAmJohnSparks and find me on most of the other social media channels by doing a search for IAmJohnSparks . For those that are interested in reading more about my background they can Google IAmJohnSparks or go to my website at IAmJohnSparks.com.

 Thanks for visiting. It was a pleasure and I’m sure our readers will find your tips valuable.