Bio





One of those defining moments occurred when a promising vocalist Laury Shelley asked five-time Grammy and three-time Oscar winning composer Michel Legrand, who was performing at Chicago’s famous nightspot Mr. Kelly’s, if she could sing for him. Legrand, whose brilliant scores range from movies such as The Summer of 42, Brian's Song, The Thomas Crown Affair and the Academy Award-winning score for Barbra Streisand's Yentl, said yes. He was so astounded by what he unexpectedly heard, that for the next five and a half years, Laury lived a dream performing as Legrand's vocal soloist.

She sang at the world’s most prestigious concert venues including Carnegie Hall (where the legendary Lena Horne came backstage to praise her), The Sahara Hotel in Vegas, Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, Miami’s Stars Under The Stars Concert Series at Marine Stadium and The Westbury Theatre, as well as concert halls in Toronto, San Francisco, Dallas, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. Laury shared stages with many musical icons including Tony Bennett, Buddy Rich, Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, while performing and recording with jazz greats Phil Woods, Ron Carter, Grady Tate, Randy Brecker and Joe Beck.

2011 is becoming a landmark year in Laury’s career. In March, she released her CD EP Pieces Of Dreams, which is available on iTunes and amazon.com. Praised for her “amazing vocals” from WLFM’s Loni Taylor, described as "a brilliant singer" by Russ Davis with MOJA internet radio and called “the real deal” by Rick Kogan of WGN AM 720, the recording earned her national attention with a televised live performance on WGN America’s Midday Show and being named Artist of The Month from WLFM Chicago’s Smooth 87.7 FM. It also marked her reunion with Legrand when they performed together at The Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis.

Laury can also be heard singing a duet with Michel Legrand of the Academy Award nominated song Pieces of Dreams on the recordings Michel Legrand and Friends and also on the CD Michel Legrand The RCA Years, that includes musical luminaries Lena Horne and Jack Jones.

In addition to touring with Legrand, Laury has performed at some of the nation’s top concert halls, jazz clubs and music festivals including LA’s Cinegrill, Chicago’s Jazz Showcase, Minneapolis MN's Dakota jazz club, New York's Iridium jazz club, Milwaukee’s Summerfest, Chicago's Taste of Chicago, and Chicago's Jazz Festival.

A singer of musical integrity, Laury brings passion to everything she sings. Displaying enormous range and versatility, Laury puts her own indelible stamp on every song making each performance unforgettable.
Laury Shelley is someone you need to hear and experience.


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QUOTES:

"Amazing vocals"
Loni Taylor - WLFM/Chicago's Smooth 87.7 DJ

"Very special...she is the real deal"
Rick Kogan - WGN AM 720 Chicago

"Laury brings passion to everything she sings"
Kevin Moore - WSBC AM-1240 Access Radio Chicago

"A brilliant singer"
Russ Davis - Owner of MOJA Internet Radio - New York
The All New Music Revue

"The possessor of an incredible vocal instrument"
Mort Goode - Noted music critic and author


“Every once in awhile a voice appears and you wonder, who is that? A voice that is both startling and breathtaking. A Sarah Vaughn or a Barbra Streisand, whose "instrument" is on such a high level that it leaves you stunned. A resonance that lasts longer in your head as you let it wash all over you. A story teller with a magnificent way of communicating . Such a vocalist is Laury Shelley. Laury has sung with some of the giants in the business. This is a talent you need to see to know what I'm talking about.
This is a world class singer!”

Mark Colby
Renowned Tenor Saxophonist with Sinatra, Gerry Mulligan
& Maynard Fergusen


"I worked with Laury with Michel Legrand - and you don't work with him unless you can produce!"

Phil Woods
Legendary Grammy winning Alto Saxophonist