Lou Lanza & Swing Easy Jazz Trio from Philadelphia, PA

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 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 he is "something special," "extraordinary," "unerringly hip," "breath-catching," "far superior to Kurt Elling, Michael Buble, Peter Cincotti, & Jamie Cullum," and by no less of an authority than Tony Bennett, "great." 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 jazz albums of 2006 in the same publication. Lou is considered to be among the top 500 jazz vocalists of all time by noted jazz critic, historian, and author Scott Yanow, will be listed in his upcoming book "The Jazz Singers." Scott Yanow also believes that Lou "is one of the few potentially major male jazz singers under 60 on the jazz scene today His warm voice,subtle improvising and unpredictable repertoire make him a singer well worth discovering."