LAURNEA:
Laurnea started her career in New York on Broadway straight out of high school, followed up with one of the starring roles in the National and International touring company of “Ain’t Misbehavin”. Prior to her debut in 1997 and solo recording project on a major label, Laurnea was a member of three groups in the 1990s. Bobby McFerrin’s acapella group VOICESTRA, the British GroupLoose Ends,and later a member of the Grammy Winning group ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT in the mid 1990’s.
She produced and wrote several songs on each project. Joining the R&B industry in1997 with the release of her debut album ”Betta Listen”, the album featured production by Omar, Raphael Saadiq, and Jon Jon Robinson. After 4 years of working with Sony, Laurnea left in 2002 to form her own label, Era Sound 1 Records.
On her own label, Laurnea released several albums. In 2000, the album“Laurnea II” was released in Japan, South East Asia and Australia.The album featured well-known producers, Jon B, Craig Love and Dwayne Wiggins. Following up this release, Laurnea released “New Territory”in 2002. This album, too,was released exclusively overseas. In 2004, Laurnea released “I Remember ” in Japan with production by India Arie and Billy Odum. In 2005, Laurnea returned to the United States with the album “The Collection”which was actually a compilation of four songs from each of her past four cds.
Laurnea worked with India Arie on her first 4 CDs and wrotefor film and television, including American Idol. She also collaborated with Rachelle Farrell, co-writing five songs in2015.
She recorded background vocals with Lalah Hathaway, Rahsaan Patterson, Shanice Wilson, Ledesi and N’Dambi on aRachelle Farrell project.
Laurnea has now completed her 6th CD, titled “UNIVERSAL LOVE”, released overseas in Japan in 2016.
In addition to releasing these CDs,Laurnea has recorded for film and TV including commercials for Microsoft 8, and an acting role on “Judge Ross”as Dana Fuller.
Laurnea also invented a bad hair scary monster for the DARK HARBOR QUEEN MARY Haunted House in 2013/15. The character played won her won her the award for the best new monster for the Queen Maryin 2013/2014.
In May 2014, Laurnea recordeda song with Japanese producer Volta Master and Steph Pocketts (female rapper out of Philadelphia)for a Cubase ad.
Fortwo years, Laurnea hosted a monthly Pro Vocal Jam session in Sherman Oaks, CA,with professional singers and musicians only, including celebrity guests.
Laurnea was also a booking agent for an exclusive supper club in Beverly Hills called HOME where she has booked entertainers such as BILAL,RAHSAAN PATTERSON, SHANICE WILSON, DWELE, RAHEEM DAVAUGHN and more to the Los Angeles area.
Laurnea was cast in the role of jazz singer night club /host on Kim Whitley “Raising Whitley in February,2015. Laurnea has been cast in two Broadway plays “THE WIZ”& “Ain’t Misbehavin'”. She has been cast as a jigaboo in Spike Lee’s film “School Daze”, Bill Duke’s “Hoodlum”, “My Past is My Own”(with Whoopi Goldberg), including producing sound tracks for a feature film/T.V. in 2014.
