Daily Dose Of Jazz…
Lorraine Feather was born Billie Lorraine Feather in Manhattan on September 10, 1948 to jazz writer Leonard and Jane, a big band singer. Named after her godmother Billie Holiday, she began using her middle name in grade school.
Lorraine began working in television as a lyricist in 1992 and has received seven Emmy nominations. Her lyrics for children include work for ABC, PBS, Disney and MGM films; with composer Mark Watters wrote for Jessye Norman’s 1996 Olympic performance, and with Larry Grossman composed for Julie Andrews.
Feather’s work has been heard on numerous records covered extensively by artists such as Phyllis Hyman, Kenny Rankin, Patti Austin, Diane Schuur and Cleo Laine. Many of her own solo projects have featured contemporary lyrics to formerly instrumental pieces written by Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and other pre-bop composers. Feather’s recordings have received glowing reviews in every major jazz magazine including Down Beat and Jazz Times.
Loraine has gone on to lyric theatrical work, musical and the American Opera Projects presented excerpts of her work. Her latest release, titled “Attachments” has her penning twelve new sets of lyrics with musicians such as Dave Grusin, Joey Calderazzo, Russell Ferrante, Shelly Berg and Eddie Arkin composing the music. She continues to write, record and perform.