Position: Adjunct Faculty
Department: School of Performing Arts
Lou Lanza is a native Philadelphian who thrives on the cultural and musical heritage of that city. Lou has music in his genes - an opera singer grandfather, a classical violinist father, and a pianist/organist and vocalist mother. Prior to becoming a full time musician, He was a full time musical theatre performer primarily out of the New York market. His jazz influences came from another of his relatives, Vince Trombetta, a saxophonist and arranger who served as musical director of The Mike Douglas Show. Lou’s music teachers include Carlo Menotti, Jimmy Bruno, Michael Leonard, and Larry McKenna. His live performances in Philadelphia, New York, London, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, to mention a few, have earned him the admiration of many industry professionals, colleagues, and fans.
Lou’s recordings include: the road not taken, corner pocket, Shadows and Echoes, opening Doors: A Jazz Tribute to The Doors, and an intimate portrait in blue, and Scenes From An Italian: The Billy Joel Project. He was named the top male jazz vocalist of 2004 in the reader’s poll of Rio de Janeiro’s Tribuna da Imprensa for the album opening Doors. Lou is considered to be among the top 500 jazz vocalists of all time by noted jazz critic, historian, and author Scott Yanow and is listed as such in his book The Jazz Singers. Several years ago featured the premiere of the original jazz opera, The Real Book of Gig, for which Lou penned the lyrics and libretto with composer Tony Gairo. Jazz journalist Alex Henderson wrote in his review that “The November 2011 presentation of ‘The Real Book of Gig’ was a creative success for Lanza.” He has also music directed and arranged two Off-Broadway shows.
Lou is currently working on several projects for release, most notably Tony Gairo and Lou Lanza: Live @ Musikfest. He is also working on some sacred works as well as setting William Shakespeare's sonnets and poetry to music.