Pianist/composer Laura Dubin’s journey into jazz expression began at the age of ten with the discovery of a Charlie Parker album in her parents’ record collection. Already studying classical piano since she was six, Laura began studying jazz piano formally at 13. Her teacher’s suggestion to listen to Oscar Peterson set in motion her unbroken path of self-discovery and musical growth. A lesson from the renowned Fred Hersch three years later was profoundly influential, and his recommendation that she take part in the exemplary music program at Western Michigan University laid the foundation for her professional career.

Studying piano with the eminent Dr. Stephen Zegree on her way to attaining her Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies there in 2011, Laura was one of the most active and respected student musicians at the university and performed in a pair of duets with Fred Hersch at his Kalamazoo concert, Fred Hersch & Friends. Leading and participating in a variety of higher level ensembles, Laura also performed at a WMU concert with Kurt Elling, and at such major venues as Lincoln Center and the Detroit International Jazz Festival alongside such outstanding artists as Mark Murphy, Janis Siegel and Bobby Watson. In May 2011, Laura performed solo and in a trio with bassist Noriko Ueda and drummer Sylvia Cuenca at the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Shortly afterward Laura began a 15-month stretch in a jazz trio on three Holland America Line cruise ships, where she met and performed with her drummer and partner Antonio H. Guerrero. At the conclusion of these tours in November 2012, Laura moved to Mexico City where she and Antonio have been working non-stop, including major venues such as Anfiteatro Simon Bolivar, Palacio Bellas Artes and La Fiesta de la Musica “Coyofest.”

Seriously focused upon composing and arranging since 2008, Laura has created more than 40 pieces for solo piano as well as small and large ensembles, citing Horace Silver, Dave Brubeck, Fred Hersch and Claude Debussy among her deepest influences. As a player, she names Peterson, Hersch, Charlie Parker, Bill Evans, Red Garland, Vince Guaraldi and Wynton Kelly among her models. In November 2013, Laura released her first CD, Introducing the Laura Dubin Trio featuring Antonio and bassist Sam Weber performing 10 of her original compositions. Laura will be relocating to Rochester in March 2014.

For more info www.lauradubin.com