Loire (musician)

Loire Cotler (born Lori Beth Cotler) is a Jewish American Jazz Rhythm Vocalist, world music stylist, composer, recording artist, educator and certified Music Therapist known for her outstanding Konnakol, Scat singing and original world jazz standard interpretations. Born in New York City and raised in Roslyn Estates, New York, she began studying piano at age six and began writing songs at 11.

Education

Loire attended a gifted magnet school for the performing arts called Long Island High School for the Arts and was chosen as honorary speaker and performer at the graduation ceremony. She went on to earn a Bachelor's degree of Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, followed by a Master's Degree in Music Therapy from New York University.

During her teens her Jazz mentor Dave Burns introduced Loire to scat singing, which similar to Konnakol, demanding the vocal reproduction of complex and often up-tempo instrumental material. Other important teachers include, Piano and Harpsichord virtuoso Barbara Kupferberg and Jazz Vocalists Bob Stoloff, Mili Bermajo, and Dominique Eade.

She contributes much of her rhythmic approach and Konnakol studies to her collaboration (2002–present) with composer and four-time Grammy winner Glen Velez.^[1] She has also studied Konnakol with Ghatam and Konnakol master Subash Chandran. She has also studied briefly with Vinod (VR) Venkataram.

She conducts master classes and workshops at The Juilliard School^[2] and other prestigious conservatories and universities around the World.^[3]

Artist Collaborations

• Glen Velez^[4]
• Josefien Stoppelenburg^[5]
• JacobTV^[6]
• Murat Coşkun^[7]
• Others: Lew Soloff, Steve Gorn, Enrique Haneine, Howard Levy, Sonny Fortune, Eugene Friesen, David Darling, Adam Rogers, Edward Bilous, Robert Miller, Michelle Dibucci, Murat Coskun, Enzo Rao, Kepa Junkera, Paul Giger, Shane Shanahan, Yousif Sheronick, VK Raman, Nina Stern, Chitravina Ravikiran, Milica Paranosic, Paolo Prestini, Trichy Sankaran, Buglisi Dance Theater, Alison Chase Apogee Theater (co-founder Pilobolus), Mimi Garrard VideoDance, Bridgman/Packer Dance, Nai-Ni Chen Dance. Axiom Ensemble, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Netherlands Wind Ensemble, Taipei Chinese Orchestra, National Chinese Orchestra, American Composers Orchestra.

Music Therapy

Loire was a Professor of Music Therapy at The New School (2001–2007) and worked extensively in clinics and hospitals around New York City with populations as Adult Psychiatry, Foster Children/At-Risk Teens, Autism and Brain Injuries. Her Music Therapy expertise has greatly influenced her approach to the voice. Loire continues to lend her talents to supporting Music Therapy charities and has been actively collaborating with Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Inc.^[8]

Current Projects

Loire has been the featured soloist in THE NEWS: a reality opera by avant-pop composer JacobTV,^[9] and she is credited for composing vocal parts for the arias Stock Market, Bounce or Decline and Lamento. All of her performances have received rave reviews, Including the Netherlands Wind Ensemble De Volkskrant^[10] and NRC Handelsblad.^[11] She maintains an active touring schedule with Glen Velez and is also a core member of MEDIEVAL MANTRA^[12] with Nina Stern and Glen Velez and Glen Velez Handance Ensemble with Shane Shanahan and Yousif Sheronick. Loire frequently collaborates with composer and multimedia artist Milica Paranosic. Currently in the studio for her debut solo Rhythm Jazz recording to be released February 2018.

Rhythm Vocalist

"Rhythm Vocalist" is a term Loire coined to describe her signature performance style. It primarily involves her usage of Vocal improvisation, scat singing and konnakol as a performance role in musical settings. She cites her mentor and husband Glen Velez and his "Glen Velez Handance Method" as a primary influence in her rhythmic techniques.

Discography

External links

1. http://www.rhythmvocalist.com the website of Loire (Lori Cotler)
2. http://www.glenvelez.com
3. http://www.jacobtv.net
4. http://www.subashchandranmusic.com
5. http://www.kepajunkera.com
6. http://www.miicaparanosic.com
7. http://www.levyland.com
8. http://www.celloman.com
9. http://www.lewsoloff.com
10. "A Morning of Music ~ Kani Ka 'Oli" Concert & Champagne Brunch
11. Tamburi Mundi - International Frame Drum Festival - Lori Cotler
12. VELEZ / COTLER - KEVIN SEDDIKI (english)

References