Laura French: Jazz Meets Classical

Laura French discovered her love for performing at age 9 when her dad encouraged her to audition for a Springfield Little Theatre production. In high school and college, she focused on classical training and has only recently begun exploring jazz. “It’s been a challenging and humbling journey, but also rewarding and so much fun,” French says. As a kid, she adored the music of Julie Andrews, Barbara Cook and Shirley Jones, and she credits Frank Sinatra for her introduction to the world of jazz. Today, she studies legends like Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé and Chet Baker.

The 417 community has supported French throughout her musical journey. She regularly plays at jazz nights at Hold Fast Brewing (“always a party,” she says) and frequently at Galloway Station. “Our community is bursting at the seams with talent, and I love all the friendships I’ve made in the 417 music scene,” she says. “I’m especially grateful to mentors Mark Brueggemann and Jeff Gouge who have given me the space—and grace—to grow with their group, the Brueggemann Gouge Jazz Band. I first started performing with them a couple of years ago, and my jazz journey really catapulted from there.”