New Pop/Jazz Star Rises To Critical Acclaim In The Pacific Northwest

On the heels of a standing room only album-release show held at Portland's premier jazz club Jimmy Mak's, Naomi LaViolette prepares for the iTunes launch of her self-titled debut album, set for March 13, 2012. The album finds an acoustic niche between the worlds of folk singer-songwriter and jazz soulstress with ten original songs and fresh arrangements of George Gershwin's "Our Love Is Here to Stay" and Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now". Oregon Music News wrote, "LaViolette takes a classical jazz core and braids it together with lightly poppy overtones and smooth, mystical undertones... She really shines in her original tracks that have room to breathe, such as Fragile, Somewhere New to Stand, and Ocean." Compared to Sarah McLachlan, LaViolette skillfully weaves her training in classical piano performance and jazz standards with a variety of folk, soul, pop and gospel creating a musical vibe that is both vintage and current. She tells stories of falling in love, and staying in love, while striking a distinctive balance between heartbreak, soul-searching and hope. Produced and engineered by Dean Baskerville (Sheryl Crow, Everclear, Pink Martini), LaViolette fronts the album at the piano with lead and background vocals, synth creations and harmonica. Featured musicians include esteemed guitarist Tim Ellis (Craig Carothers, Aaron Meyer, Michael Allen Harrison), bassist Bill Athens (Nancy King, Mary Kadderly, Trio SubTonic) and drummer Jeramy Burchett (Dirt Poor Robins, 5 O'Clock People). Recording sessions were held at Kung Fu Bakery and Dead Aunt Thelma's recording studios. In addition to releasing her debut album, LaViolette recently performed her inaugural gig (Feb 24) at Portland's 9th annual Jazz Festival. PDX Jazz Fest Managing Director Don Lucoff discovered LaViolette as she performed at Portland’s Heathman Hotel and an invitation immediately followed. Pianist, singer-songwriter LaViolette is a Portland, Oregon native and earned a master's degree in classical piano performance from Portland State University. She studied with Portland jazz greats including Randy Porter and Darrel Grant. LaViolette also performs in the classical music scene, as the accompanist for the Oregon Repertory Singers since 2004 and as a chamber musician in Classical Revolution PDX and the Fleur-De-Lis Piano Trio. Preview the album LaViolette's hi-res photography and full bio Review LaViolette's album in full online