Autumn Concert Series: Lori Bell
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The Library's Autumn Concert Series takes place on Fridays from September 5 to October 31. Each concert will begin at 1 p.m. in the Winn Room. Doors will open 15 minutes prior to the performance. On September 19, we will have Lori Bell on the flute. She will be playing From Bach to Bebop, including songs by Bach, Telemann, Piazolla, Debussy, Hoover, and more.
Acclaimed flutist and a three time Global Music Award recipient, Brooklyn native Lori Bell is a flutist and composer of admirable depth and broad musical sympathies. A resident of San Diego, she has contributed to the development of higher standards of performance while earning acclaim from both peers and critics for her artistry on stage and in recordings.
In 2016 Lori paid heartfelt tribute to her family and birthplace on her critically acclaimed album "Brooklyn Dreaming" earning four star ratings from Jazz Journal UK, Jazz Times, the Los Angeles Times (four and a half stars) and Downbeat, which chose it as “Best Albums of 2016.” Huffington Post also chose ‘Brooklyn Dreaming’ for their “Best of Jazz 2016”. Bill Milkowski wrote in the March 2016 issue of Downbeat: “Bell flaunts prodigious chops on both C flute and alto flute, though her pen might be mightier than her sword. Her originals all reveal a wide harmonic palette, a sophisticated rhythmic sensibility and a refined sense of dynamics, along with an urge to swing.” Veteran jazz critic Scott Yanow chose it as one of his Top 25 Best jazz CD’s of 2016. It also won a Global Music Award for Outstanding Achievement for compositions and arrangements.
Her most recent album project released in 2024 is a tribute to the legendary saxophonist and composer, Joe Henderson. The Lori Bell Quartet – "Recorda Me; Remembering Joe Henderson" was selected at Jazz Congress in NYC for Jukebox Jury, received international press, and was selected Top 10 Jazz Critics Poll in Cadence Magazine, Top 10 Essential Releases by jazz critic Scott Yanow, and Best Jazz Albums of 2024 in All About Jazz.
Lori has toured in Asia, including Singapore and Hong Kong. She has also performed in high profile ensemble settings at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, SOKA Performing Arts Center, The Wadsworth Theatre at UCLA, Birdland NYC, The Blue Note NYC, SFJAZZ in the Joe Henderson Lab, and most recently, on a project of jazz arrangements and classical compositions for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Music Library. She has performed three times at the Gala for the National Flute Association.
Equally fluent in both jazz and classical idioms, Lori is devoted to chamber music: the breadth of classical repertoire for flute and piano she has recorded and performed with her stellar musical partner, Diane Snodgrass, especially showing that commitment. The album "Night Soliloquy" features 20th century French and American repertoire. "While there are many attractive features to Bell's performances, the most important one is that she is a storyteller. This CD is highly recommended not only for the repertoire but for the captivating performances by Bell and Snodgrass”. Flute Talk Magazine
“Lori Bell is a Pearl Artist, but I hadn’t heard of her before. She is a fantastic player and the run down to a low B in her own arrangement of the Boulanger will be a delight for any flutist to hear” American Record Guide
Lori has also performed with the International Orchestra, Cabrillo Chamber Orchestra, and various chamber ensembles including "Night People" featuring music by composer Joe Garrison which she produced three albums with. In addition to her global renown as a performer and recording artist, Lori is a respected force in music education. She is currently on the faculty as an Instructor of Flute and studio artist teacher at San Diego State University and over the years, has privately taught hundreds of students of all ages in flute, piano (her secondary instrument), classical technique, jazz improvisation, theory, composition and arranging with a focus on artistry and imagery at her studio in San Diego.
Lori has taught master classes for the New York Flute Club, Columbia University, Mannes Music Conservatory NYC, The New School NYC, San Jose State University, Chico State, San Diego State University, UCLA, Utah State University, The National Flute Association 1989, 2003, 2016, University Wisconsin Green Bay, San Diego Flute Guild, in Hong Kong and Singapore.
