Event
Laurent Fourgo - French Jazz Moitié-Moitié
Did you know that the Tony Bennett hit "The Good Life" and the Bobby Darin swinger "Beyond the Sea" were originally written in French? How about "Autumn Leaves" or "What Now My Love?" Singer Laurent Fourgo does. But of course, that's only natural: he lives in San Francisco now, but this silky-throated crooner is Parisian through and through, born and raised in the romantic City of Lights.
On his brand new CD, Moitié-Moitié, Half & Half, Fourgo salutes eight beloved tunes that had their origins in France, singing choruses both in French and English. His style is swinging, warm and serene, with a hint of Bennett and Darin, but with a whole lot of Fourgo!
At Jazz at Pearl's, Fourgo will celebrate the release of the new CD with all of the favorites on that fine recording, and more. This show is a must for lovers of grand singing and of the Great American (and French!) Songbook.
C'est Si Bon!
Born in Paris, France, Laurent Fourgo grew up in a southwest suburb of Paris and began studying the saxophone when he was eight years old. By the time he was 12, he switched to oboe and played in the local classical orchestra. At 16, he had decided that singing would be his main instrument.
One person who encouraged his interest in music was his father, an avid fan of all the early American RockânâRoll music of the Fifties and Sixties masters such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley, Fats Domino, and Jerry Lee Lewis. "I think Papa had every recording Elvis Presley ever made and I tried to learn as many as I could."
Another influence was his paternal grandmother, a passionate singer since childhood, singing for friends and family all the hits from before and after the Second World War. While spending summer vacations every year in the South West of France, Fourgo had the opportunity to listen to tunes from the 30s, 40s and 50s that he would have never heard without being around his grandmother. She told him that his late grandfather had also been a singer, as well as an accordionist. "Singing was in my blood â there was no way to avoid it!" Fourgo says now.
Fourgo started his first band while in the army, playing at various local city fairs and military events. After his military duties, Fourgo put aside his desire to perform professionally and pursued a Masters in Business in the southwest of France. While in school, he studied with renowned French vocal coach Christiane Depero and recognized that music was indeed his true passion.
America would be his destination. "Since age 10, I knew I wanted to live in the US," Fourgo says, "the desire possibly inspired by the movies and music I was exposed to during my childhood." Laurent landed in San Francisco, put his band together and began performing at various clubs and private parties.
Fourgo has been busy performing in venues around the Bay Area. Now, with the release of Moitié-Moitié, Half & Half, this warm, wonderful singer is ready to reach a wider audience, and ready, most defini
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LocationJazz at Pearl's
256 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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