Christmas In San Francisco with RUSS LORENSON AND FRIENDS: Carly Ozard Katya Smirnoff-Skyy Veronica Klaus December 22, 2010

Skip the Christmas caroling and spend a cozy winter's evening with Russ Lorenson and his special guests as they celebrate a jazzy Christmas, San Francisco style! An annual Rrazz Room tradition, there's something for everyone in this swinging evening of jingle jazz.

Russ Lorenson is heard each year on "The Bay Area's Official Christmas Station - 96.5 KOIT-FM" with his recording of "Christmas in San Francisco," a holiday favorite for Bay Area listeners. Russ has established a reputation as one of the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading interpreters of jazz standards, with a sound and approach that place him at the intersection of Broadway, jazz, and pop – the very essence of the Great American Songbook. Jazz Review says that “Lorenson is not just a crooner covering the traditional Sinatra style or trying to be the next Connick; he is his own man.”

Nominated for a 2007 MAC Award by the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, he has toured the US, UK and Europe, appearing in concert with such luminaries as Broadway stars Karen Mason (Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard) and Dale Kristien (Phantom of the Opera), “Queen of Cabaret” Andrea Marcovicci, jazz diva Wesla Whitfield, and as the opening act for the legendary Eartha Kitt. Lorenson is best known for his critically-acclaimed tribute to an American music icon in his show, Benedetto/Blessed: Celebrating the Life and Music of Tony Bennett. Russ' previous nightclub show, A Little Travelin’ Music, played to sold-out audiences across the US.

His debut CD, of the same name, was released in May 2006 on the LML Music label and features songs from the show and includes duets with special guests Shawn Ryan and Klea Blackhurst. His second CD, the jazzy holiday collection What I Want For Christmas, was also released on LML Music in 2006, and has received extensive radio airplay in major markets across the US. Both CD's were included on the Nominating Ballot for the 2006 Grammy Awards in the category of "Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album" alongside such artists as Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, and John Pizzarelli.

"Lorenson is part of the neo-croonerism pack that includes Harry Connick Jr., Michael Bublé, Jamie Cullum and Peter Cincotti."" -- San Francisco Examiner

"Lorenson is not just a crooner covering the traditional Sinatra style or trying to be the next Connick, he is his own man." -- Jazz Review

"...possesses one of the great male voices in cabaret..." -- Cabaret Scenes

"Russ' technique has roots in "crooning" but he is far above the quality of the self-described crooners we are accustomed to in cabaret lately. His voice has a creamy, dreamy quality..." -- Cabaret Hotline Online

"Russ Lorenson is a performer that is reminiscent of the old greats...His voice transcends mainstream artists and is placed in a category in itself, one where the world of acting and jazz are interchangeable entities in the music spectrum." -- The Juice Weekly

Official Website: http://therrazzroom.com/10Artist/RussL10.html