Meet Laura Ridgeway…

Laura Ridgeway and Friends is a class act, performing a variety of jazz, swing, oldies pop, blues, and original pieces with a jazz/blues twist – upbeat, timeless pieces that appeal to a wide range of audiences. Laura Ridgeway has been singing in various capacities for over 20 years. She performs regularly at weddings, receptions, private parties, galas, finer restaurants, outdoor concerts, and festivals throughout the Triangle and state of North Carolina. Her list of appearances include the RBC Center, Raleigh Civic Center, Meymandi Hall (BTI Center), the N.C. Governor’s “Executive Mansion,” for the 2005 Gubernatorial Inaugural Ball festivities, N.C. Seafood Festival, N.C. Museum of History, and Charlotte Mint Museum and numerous private events across the state.

Her anticipated jazz/pop holiday CD was released in October, 2005, and is available in stores locally and online. Her first solo CD, Triple Dog Dare Ya, released in 2002, includes standards and original jazz/blues pieces, illustrating her talents as a singer/songwriter.

Musicians performing with Laura Ridgeway come from varying musical backgrounds and genres of music with the common thread of their love for really great music that moves and grooves. They have performed throughout North Carolina, up and down the East Coast, including Washington, D.C. and New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles…..and even the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.

In addition to her work with her jazz/pop group, she performs in acoustic duos with several area male guitarist/vocalists performing blues, pop, light rock, and folk pieces.

For many years, Laura competed on a statewide and regional basis with the Raleigh Sweet Adelines, a four-part harmony, female a capella show chorus performing Broadway show tunes and oldies favorites. She attributes her vocal accuracy and keen ear-training to these experiences.

Laura generously devotes her time and talents to the community through music. She has performed at the BTI Performing Arts Center, Raleigh, with a 150-member gospel choir. She sings weekly with a local women’s three-part harmony chorus that performs for residents of nursing homes. Also, she performs for charitable benefits, area elementary schools, children’s music programs, and currently conducts a children’s choir. In addition to vocals, she plays the flute, rhythm guitar, and piano.

For further information, contact Laura Ridgeway at (919) 828-4942 or via email at Lmridgeway@earthlink.net.