Philadelphia born and raised with a family of specialty performers preceding him, Lou Lanza has music in his veins. He has performed live across the country bringing his jazz vocals and piano talents to countless events boasting years of experience.
Lou Lanza is a native Philadelphian who thrives on the cultural and musical heritage of that city. Lou has music in his genes – an opera singer grandfather, a classical violinist father, and a pianist/organist & vocalist mother. His jazz influence came from another one of his relatives, Vince Trombetta, a saxophonist & arranger who served as musical director of The Mike Douglas Show.
Lou’s music teachers include Carlo Menotti, Jimmy Bruno, Michael Leonard, and Larry McKenna. It has been written about Lou that:
“His style is relaxed but energetic. He’s somewhere in between Connick and Elling for style with his own signature…If you haven’t heard this guy yet, you’re missing something special!” – D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Jazz Newsletter,
“The young singer successfully fused the crooning & vulnerability of Mel Torme and a young Chet Baker with the risk taking vocalese and scatting of Mark Murphy and Jon Hendricks.” – Alex Henderson, www.allmusic.com,
“There is an intensity to his singing that is unique, upbeat and hip; his musicianship is extraordinary.” Donald True Van Deusen, The Philadelphia Inquirer,
“Lou is unerringly hip, and has an unfailing sense of swing.” – Peter Nero, “Hot, swinging male jazz vocals with breath-catching agility and personality.” – www.tascadamusica.blogspot.com,
“Fine, Young-tude, light baritone sound…a voice that uses a perfect scale, control…Lou Lanza – remember that name.” – Mark Murphy,
“Lanza, a singer, songwriter, leader, is perhaps the most accomplished male vocalist working in this area.” – Donald True Van Deusen, www.allaboutjazz.com,
“Over the years I’ve worked with many singers, Lou is one of the best!” – Jimmy Bruno,
“Far superior to Kurt Elling, Michael Buble, Peter Cincotti, and Jamie Cullum, already finds himself, in spite of the difference in age, at the same level of expressiveness of Mark Murphy, Al Jarreau, and Andy Bey.” – Arnaldo DeSouteiro , Tribuna da Imprensa
His live performances in Philadelphia, New York, London, Los Angeles, & Las Vegas, to mention a few, have earned him the admiration of many industry professionals, colleagues, and fans. Lou’s recordings include: The Road Not Taken (C.A.B. Records), Corner Pocket (J-Bird Records), Shadows and Echoes (Challenge Records), and Opening Doors: A Jazz Tribute to The Doors and An Intimate Portrait in Blue. He was named the top male jazz vocalist of 2004 in the reader’s poll of Rio de Janeiro’s Tribuna da Imprensa for the album Opening Doors, and An Intimate Portrait In Blue was listed among the top ten overall albums of 2006 in the same publication. Lou is considered to be among the top 500 jazz band vocalists of all time by noted jazz critic, historian, and author Scott Yanow and is listed as such in his book The Jazz Singers. Scott has this to say about Lou: “Lou Lanza is one of the few potentially major male jazz singers under the age of 60 on the jazz scene today. His warm voice, subtle improvising and unpredictable repertoire make him a singer well worth discovering.”