Laurin Talese and A Novel Idea

Biography

Led by vocalist Laurin Talese, jazz and soul ensemble Laurin Talese & A Novel Idea have shared their brand of cinematic jazz for the better part of a decade. Laurin has appeared in a host of national and international venues such as The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia’s Academy of Music, The National, and, most recently, in front of a sold-out crowd at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, among many others. She frequently collaborates with a host of internationally celebrated recording artists including Bilal, Robert Glasper, Vivian Green, and Christian McBride.  Her first album, entitled Gorgeous Chaos (2016), was produced by and features in-demand producers such as Adam Blackstone and Ulysses Owens, Jr.  Laurin’s record was listed as a top 10 jazz album by the Chicago Tribune and debuted on the Billboard jazz charts.  In addition to playing with Laurin Talese & A Novel Idea, bassist Jon Michel was a member of Grammy award-winning Billy Paul’s band and has served as its musical director. In addition to co-leading an original music project, the L.X.G., Jon is building a portfolio as a composer and producer with ongoing projects in film, R&B, and gospel. Philadelphia based pianist Tim Brey has had the pleasure of performing and/or recording with Branford Marsalis, Terell Stafford, Wycliffe Gordon, Houston Person, Karrin Allyson and many more. Brey’s extensive knowledge of the bebop tradition as well as his forays into electric jazz fusion, hip-hop, and R&B have led him to a diverse career performing nationally and internationally as a solo pianist/keyboardist, bandleader, and sideman. Drummer Anwar Marshall, an emerging composer and performer, has toured & recorded with Pat Metheny, Orrin Evans, Josh Lawrence, Russell Malone, Christian McBride, and Dave Douglas.co-leads the Philadelphia ten-piece experimental electro-jazz ensemble the Fresh Cut Orchestra with Josh Lawrence. All members of Laurin Talese & A Novel Idea pride themselves on being teaching artists and have traveled extensively domestically and abroad.