| George Turner - guitar George Turner’s band is available as an instrumental trio, quartet or quintet, and also with female jazz vocalist, Lori Derr. Lori’s strong and sultry voice adds a unique and lovely flavor to George’s stellar guitar work on jazz and swing classics, latin jazz, and funky R&B favorites. George Turner’s jazz guitar playing offers up mellifluous round tones, influenced by the masters of the archtop jazz guitar such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, and Grant Green. In Turner’s hands, these influences, as well as his own deep musical sensibilities, are woven together to produce a rich personal sound. Since moving back to Charlottesville in 1995, Turner has formed The George Turner Trio consisting of drums, bass and Turner’s own inventive jazz guitar. Often, Turner invites a funky organist or a sophisticated jazz pianist into the mix of The George Turner Trio, producing intriguing variety and intensity in the performances. Turner has been an active member of the area jazz scene, and the trio has played extensively throughout the state of Virginia for clubs, restaurants, and private functions, and as far away as New York City and Cape Cod, MA. The George Turner Trio is a versatile ensemble, drawing material from a variety of styles, ranging from traditional to modern jazz, as well as latin, soul, and funk and rhythm and blues influences. The trio plays refreshing, intriguing interpretations of a wide range of jazz standards as well as Turner’s original compositions, featured on his newly released CD, “Slip, Don’t Fall.” Individually, Turner has played with many top regionally and nationally known jazz musicians including trumpeter John D’earth, saxophonists, Bobby Read, Jeff Decker, and Chip McNeil, drummers Robert Jospe and Aaron Binder, pianist and organist George Melvin, and jazz guitar veteran Royce Campbell. |
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Lori Derr - vocals Lori’s style is influenced by her favorite ladies of Jazz including the genius of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughn, the soulful wisdom of Nancy Wilson, the Brazilian bossa style of Astrud Gilberto, and the intriguing modern phrasing of Diana Krall. On gigs, Lori enjoys singing a mix of lively Jazz standards, Latin and Brazilian favorites, originals, and intimate, tender ballads. Lori comes to Jazz by way of a strong background in classical music both as a singer and violinist. Although she spent many years pursuing the more structured format of classical music in orchestras, choruses and small chamber ensembles, the desire to use her voice as her only instrument and immerse herself in the language of Jazz rhythms and emotional nuances has brought her to focus solely on the challenges and rewards of the Jazz idiom. Lori’s musical collaborator George Turner offers up jazz guitar playing filled with mellifluous round tones, influenced by the masters of the archtop jazz guitar such as Wes Montgomery, George Benson, and Grant Green. In Turner’s hands, these influences , as well as his own deep musical sensibilities, are woven together to produce a rich personal sound. Lori’s sultry tones are backed by the full inventive sounds of The George Turner Trio, resulting in an experience evocative of candlelight and romance. |
| Jeff Hofmann - Upright bass Jeff’s bass playing with the George Turner Trio has been influenced by bassists such as Paul Chambers, Ron Carter, Ray Brown, and Charles Mingus. He has played with a variety of jazz groups in Southwestern Virginia, and has enjoyed playing in the Roanoke, Charlottesvile, and northern Virginia area with George and Lori. Together when they play together, it’s just right. Jeff has toured and recorded with many groups across the state. |
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