Search - Lori Henriques :: How Great Can This Day Be

From the very beginning, Lori Henriques head was filled with elaborate orchestrations only she could hear.  Until now.  How Great Can This Day Be marks the triumphant debut of Henriques full ensemble jazz arrangements. Crossing the genres of jazz, latin, cabaret, blues and gospel, Henriques songs address an equally stunning array of topics--primatology, mindfulness, friendship, food forests, and the pull of a good downbeat. With homages to Fred Rogers and Jane Goodall and reminiscences of early Sesame Street, Henriques has created a classic for children and their parents.  In addition to a stellar cast of some of Portland s best jazz players, Henriques brings along the family. Her eight-year-old son, Leo, and her husband, Juilliard-trained actor Matt Keeslar (Waiting For Guffman, Last Days of Disco, The Middleman) join her on vocals. Rounding out this family affair, her brother Joel Henriques (Made By Joel) whistles a mean solo and plays the saw.  A serious classical piano competitor from childhood through university, Henriques was a highly sought-after private piano teacher in Seattle and Los Angeles. When she began writing songs, her additional degrees in English and French planted the perfect seeds for an eclectic and intelligent songwriting style. How Great Can This Day Be shows influences of Mose Allison, Laura Nyro, Jacques Brel, Bob Dorough, Cole Porter and Nina Simone, to name a few. Henriques has fully embraced the calling of writing songs that speak directly to children. Her two preceding children s albums, Outside My Door and The World Is A Curious Place To Live have garnered Parents Choice Gold Awards, rave reviews, and hours of airplay on Sirius XM s Kids Place Live. Her songs Everlovin Water and Another Good Year were #1 hits on the station, and her signature song Something You Learn earned her ASCAP s prestigious Joe Raposo Children s Music Award. In addition to writing more songs for children, Henriques is working on two children s books and a musical for adults.