Loretta King American jazz player Country: USA

1. Loretta King: Australian-born American Jazz Singer
2. Professional Career and Musical Style
3. Return to Sydney and Current Projects

Loretta King: Australian-born American Jazz Singer

Loretta King is an American jazz singer of Australian descent who has been actively performing at various events in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the United States. She was born in Sydney, Australia, into a family of renowned jazz musicians, including English guitarist Ike Isaacs and Australian pianist and composer Mark Isaacs. Her father, Maurice Sol, was her main inspiration in her early stages of development as a musician. He loved entertaining family and friends with his beautiful singing, comedic skits, and jazz rhythms on the piano. Maurice also possessed skills in playing the violin and accordion. As a child, Loretta would participate in family gatherings, armed with a microphone much larger than herself, and perform her signature piece, "Cry Me a River."

Professional Career and Musical Style

Loretta King began singing professionally in the 1970s to support her education at the University of New South Wales. She eventually earned a bachelor's degree in dramatic arts, sociology, and philosophy. During this time, she worked on the television show "In Melbourne Tonight" on national radio, appeared in several television commercials, and performed in various clubs in Sydney. Her repertoire expanded to include not only traditional jazz compositions but also Latin American influences and a touch of pop.

Loretta had the opportunity to participate in the "ABC FACE" concert, performing at military bases in Australia and Southeast Asia, and landed a singing role in the Universal Studios film "Sidecar Racers." Soon after, she signed a recording contract with MCA Studios. Loretta was then offered work in America and began performing in Las Vegas casinos such as "The Frontier" and "Gold Coast." She also worked in other casino cities like Laughlin, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. Later, she was invited to work on the Greek Crown Odyssey cruise ship, followed by a series of concerts across the country, from the "Sofatel" in Beverly Hills to the "Waldorf Astoria" in New York, and from the "Four Seasons" in Chicago to the "Top 'o the Spray" in Palm Beach, Florida. What was initially a two-week engagement in Palm Beach turned into almost nine months of vacation.

Return to Sydney and Current Projects

After traveling around the country for a few more years, exploring landmarks and making new acquaintances, Loretta decided to settle in Los Angeles. There, she focused on the genre she had grown up with and still found the most interesting – vocal jazz from previous generations. Soon, her first album, "Love is a Bridge," was released. It was recorded at Chick Corea's Madhatter Studio and featured renowned American jazz musicians. The album quickly gained recognition and made its way into the repertoire of Los Angeles' major jazz stations, including KJAZ, KKJZ, and even the "Redeye" show with Doug McIntyre on KABC.

Currently, Loretta King has returned to Sydney, where she continues to promote her recording. The album features a mix of classical compositions and original works inspired by her nostalgia for her hometown. In addition to her singing career, King also teaches young singers using her own innovative and rapid method.