Jazzin'Jazzin'

Jazzin' GoesVegan withThe JazzyVegetarianSinger LauraTheodore

Puerto Rico Jazz GuidePuerto Rico Jazz Guide

ISSUE 05/ August 2015

The JazzyVegetarian

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Puerto RicanVegan Recipe

A Guide toPuerto Rico

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LAURA THEODORE JAZZYVEGETARIAN RECIPEVegan Garbanzos Stew with Spicy Rice (VeganGarbanzos Guisados with Spicy Rice)Makes 6 servings This hearty and comforting stew has a spicy kickthat gives it real jazzy-pizazz! The vegan sausageadds classic texture and the Jazzy Sazón (recipebelow) provides an authentic taste. This stew isdelicious served over Spicy Rice (recipe below),with a green salad on the side to make a trulysatisfying meal. 1 medium sweet onion, chopped1 tablespoon Jazzy Sazón (see recipe below)2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil½ cup filtered or spring water2 cups vegetable broth2 cups peeled and cubed red or white potatoes1 large sweet red or yellow pepper, seeded andchopped1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped2 large cloves garlic, minced2 cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed14 ounces vegan sausage, sliced (see note)10 green queen olives with pimentos, diced1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes with juice1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)Sea salt, to tastePut the onion, 1 teaspoon sazón, 1 teaspoon oliveoil and ½ cup water in a large skillet or soup pot.Cover and let cook 7 minutes, stirringoccasionally. Add 1 cup vegetable broth,potatoes, red or yellow sweet pepper, green bellpepper, garlic, 1 teaspoon sazón and 1 teaspoonolive oil. Cover and let cook 15 minutes, stirringoccasionally. Stir in the garbanzo beans, vegansausage and olives. Add the diced tomatoes, 1cup vegetable broth, 1 teaspoon sazón and 1/8teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) and stir tocombine. Cover and cook 35 to 45 minutes, oruntil vegetables are soft. Season with salt, totaste. Serve over Spicy Rice (recipe below) withgreen salad on the side. NOTE: If you prefer not to use the vegan sausage,substitute 1 additional cup cubed potatoes (addwhen the potatoes are added) and 1 additional

cup garbanzo beans (add when the garbanzobeans are added Jazzy Sazón Makes 2 ¾ tablespoons This jazzylicious seasoning blend enhances soups,stews, casseroles, roasted or grilled vegetablesand so much more! 2 teaspoons ground coriander2 teaspoons ground cumin2 teaspoons smoked paprika1 teaspoon garlic powder1 teaspoon sea salt1/2 teaspoon oregano1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Put all of the ingredients into a small bowl Stir tocombine. Store in a tightly covered containeraway from light. Spicy RiceMakes 6 servings The perfect compliment to any savory meal, thisrice has just the right amount of spicy flavor toserve with a stew, steamed vegetables or anyentrée. 4 ½ cups filtered or spring water2 cups long grain brown rice1 teaspoon Jazzy Sazón Put all of the ingredients in a medium sauce pan.Cover and cook over medium heat for 40 to 45minutes or until almost all of the water isabsorbed. Fluff with a fork. Cover and let stand for10 minutes before serving.

Vegan Garbanzos Stew withSpicy Rice (Vegan GarbanzosGuisados with Spicy Rice)

Vegan GarbanzosStew with SpicyRice (VeganGarbanzos Guisadoswith Spicy Rice) Photos Provided by Laura Theodore

JAZZIN INTERVIEWLAURA THEODORETHE JAZZY VEGETARIAN

Jazzin Magazine: Tell me about your beginnings inMusic.Laura Theodore: I always knew I wanted to sing. Istarted singing when I was about 3 years old andwhen I was in the 4th or 5th grade, I began toprepare and sing an acappella song every week formy class! At age 11, I began to perform regularly inmusicals in a semi-professional, local theater group,and by age 17 I had acted and sung in about 40musicals. At 17, I went on the road with my firstband, singing popular tunes of the day. I formedmany bands for the next 20 years and they rangedfrom eclectic jazz, to popular standards, to R & B tohard rock! Jazzin: Did you study Music? LT: I studied at a very young age with the musicaldirectors from the theater I worked at, learning thebasics of intonation and phrasing in show tunesand popular music. At age 20, I studied musicalcomposition and jazz vocalization privately (forabout a year) through two teachers from SouthShore Conservatory in Boston, MA. Once in NewYork City, I studied vocal technique for about 3years with Don MacKay, a leading teacher at thattime Jazzin: Who were your first influencies? LT: Early on, I was influenced by both Broadwayshow tunes (like West Side Story, Oliver and PeterPan) and contemporary artists of that time like theBeatles, Rolling Stones, Eric Burden, Guns and Rosesand Janis Joplin (I created the role of, and playedJanis in a show called Beehive, for 2 years off-Broadway in New York City.

Jazzin: How and when youdiscovered jazz? LT: I first heard jazz at age 19 or20 and my first influencesthere were Ella Fitzgerald,Sarah Vaughan, Chick Corea,Duke Ellington and the Groups:Yes (not jazz, but veryprogressive!) and Return toForever. I became obsessedwith listening to Ella and Sarahand learned their scat phrasesand studied their phrasing andtone. Then I decided that Iwanted to create my ownsound, based on the saxophoneand trumpet, and startedstudying Miles Davis, CharlieParker, and modern players ofthe day like Tom Scott andDavid Sanborn. Jazzin: Your professional worksand recordings. LT: My professional works havebeen diverse!

Below is my full discography to date: (link to all)http://www.lauratheodore.com/music/1993 Tonight's the Night - Laura’s debut CD won aMusician Magazine Award. Co-written withsuperstar pianist Don Rebic, with Big Band chartsarranged by Alan Foust, this recording containssix originals and three cover tunes, and featuressome of New York’s finest musicians, includingRandy Brecker on trumpet, Joe Beck on guitar,Chip Jackson on bass, Michael Berkowitz ondrums, and Andy Snitzer and Lou Marini on sax."This CD was an extension of me, my life, and mymusic in all forms. It started one spring afternoonwhen I got a call from my musical director andlong time friend Don Rebic: “I was thinking”—hehesitated—“let’s write and produce our own jazzrecord. Let’s record our own music, the music weenjoy playing.” Thus, Tonight’s the Night wasborn. For the following year we wrote, recorded,edited, wrote again, mixed, recorded, editedagain, recorded again, mastered, and finallyfinished our “labor of love” project. I am sograteful to Don, Alan Foust, and all of theincredible, virtuoso musicians who lent theirtalents to this recording to make it so special. Thelyrics come from the bottom of my heart, and themusic speaks my story. 1997What is this Thing Called Jazz? This CD shineswith Laura's love for the popular/jazz standard.All of the tunes on this record are simply statedand features Laura improvising with some of herfavorite studio musicians. This recording trulystates Laura's love for “music in the moment” andflows seamlessly from start to finish.On this beautiful CD, Laura showcases uniqueinterpretations of some of her favorite jazzstandards. “She is an extraordinary four-octavesinger who blends jazz, blues, soul, and pop intoseemingly the only possible expression” (NewYork Post). Laura has created her version of thepresent day smooth jazz sound, featuring animpressive array of musicians, including EricWollman on guitar, Kelly Conner and Don Rebicon piano, Leon Dorsey and Don Gladstone onbass, and Vincent Ector and Neil Tufano ondrums.

1998Live at Vartan Jazz. This recording, captured “Liveat Vartan Jazz” in Denver, is distinctly “alive,”showcasing riveting intensity, soulfulness, andmastery of style in familiar jazz staples as well assome lesser-known but compelling compositions.Special guests Jimmy Cook and Rich Chiaraluce sitin on tenor.Recorded live with superb musicians andproduced by Vartan Tonoian who handpicked thesongs to be performed from Laura's long list ofjazz anthems. The result is a recording that is truly“alive,” projecting the classic sound of jazz andblues. 1999We're Only Human Laura crosses the line into newmusical realms. A true “Top 40 New Age album”that your kids will listen to as well! Producer DikDarnell describes the recording: “Laura sings ofthe Earth Mother, of love and healing, of freedomand the search for our true home...the one inside.”This CD marks a departure for Laura from the jazzand blues format. Working under the guidance ofrenowned New Age producer Dik Darnell, thisbeautiful record imparts soothing Adultcontemporary originals. With selections frommany contributing song writers and Laura's ownlyrics on “All My Heart,” this music floats on air. 2003What The World Needs Now Is Love focuses onLaura's fascination for the 30s and 40s Big Bandmusic craze. We decided that the recordingneeded to be “live” in order to effectively re-create the tone of the Big Band era, and wewanted it to showcase Laura's signature jazz andblues style which we called New Vintage Jazz. Wespent two years rounding up the rightarrangements and then collaborated with thelate, great saxophonist/arranger, Juliene Purefoyand her excellent 17 piece band to produce thisdynamic collection of favorite jazz and popstandards played with a fresh twist! Joined by theJuliene Purefoy Big Band and featuring specialguests Brian Murphy, Chuck Bergeron, DougMichels, Hernan “Teddy” Mulet, Noah Brandmarkand Lee Schwartz, this fine recording will take youinto the world of New Vintage Jazz.

Celebrated jazz pianist Bertha Hope remarked, in responseto this recording, “Laura Theodore sings rings aroundanyone on the jazz, blues or pop scene today.” This CDcontains immortal standards, ranging from the Golden Ageof Gershwin and Rodgers, and swinging us on to Bacharachand the blues, which Laura burnishes with awesomeauthority and authenticity. 2007"GOLDEN EARRINGS," was selected to appear on the 52ndGrammy Award list in the category of “Best Jazz VocalAlbum.” This intimate and inspired series of duetseffectively pays twin tributes. Initially conceived by jazzsinger Laura Theodore as a tribute to the revered vocalistand popular music icon Peggy Lee, whose alluring, "cool"style captivated listeners through the '40s, '50s and '60s, italso stands as a tribute to the late guitar great Joe Beck,who passed away on July 22, 2008 at age 62 due tocomplications from lung cancer. While Theodore may havesparked the notion of interpreting tunes written by thesongwriting partnership of Peggy Lee and her guitarist-husband Dave Barbour, it was Beck who came up with theintriguing arrangements and reharmonizations thatunderscore this winning collaboration. Jazzin: Most jazz female singers mentioned Billie Holiday,Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan as major influencies. Canyou tell me what's the importance of these three ladies andwhy they were so good? LT: Billie Holiday,Her impeccable intonation, minimalistic phrasing andunique approach to lyrics, made Lady Day a top influencerin my overall singing style. Ella FitzgeraldNo one can scat like Ella, and no one can deliver such aclean lyric at the same time. Her tone is one that manyaspire to copy, and her intonation is surpassed by no one!The first time I heard Ella sing I was transfixed and amazed,and I spent two weeks with my ear "glued" to the recordplayer, trying to copy her vocal techniques! Sarah VaughanSince I have a wide range like Sarah (and often feel mostcomfortable in the lower, deep range), her approach to jazzsinging truly speaks to me. Her deep dips into the lowerdepths of her voice, that then smoothly rise to the highestnotes, (2 octaves above), are a signature in my style, that Ilearned from listening to Sarah! Her silky vocal texture andimpressive emotional delivery of a lyric makes her one ofmy favorite vocalists of all time. I was fortunate to see both Ella and Sarah, live, in concert! Jazzin: Besides singers, are there other instrumentalists thatinfluence the way you sing? LT: Yes. Chick Corea, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, CharlieParker, Joe Beck, Tom Scott and David Sanborn.

Jazzin: How do you choose the Music you want to record? LT: A song has to speak to me lyrically, groove-wise andmusically. Whether it be hard rock, jazz, gospel, blues orcontemporary - I ask myself: "Is this a song I can relate toand does it tell my story? Does this groove speak to me?Will this share a message that means something in my life?"If the answer is yes to all of those questions, I put it on thelist! Jazzin: Of all the musicians you had the opportunity to workwith which one stand out and why? LT: Joe Beck. He was AMAZING! I loved working with Joe.Neither of us were fond of over-rehearsing, because weliked the idea of leaving room for improvisation, keepingthe track fresh each time. When we recorded GoldenEarrings, we would choose a song, choose a key, go over afew options for the groove, rehearse a few bars and GO! Theresult was magical! Jazzin: Is there any musician you admired you want to workwith? LT: Lynne Arriale. Love her style. Jazzin: What characteristics do you look for in a musician? LT: Agility and the ability to listen. Like acting, goodimprovisational jazz is created by listening to a phrase orchord, then responding to that phrase or chord. Talent isimportant, but listening is the key to great music, especiallyjazz. Jazzin: Besides being a great jazz singer, you are an actress,a radio and tv show personality, plus an advocate forHealthy food. Can you talk about each one of these aspectsof your career? LT: I was a child actor and acting is still a craft that remainsclose to my heart! I starred in over 20 musicals and plays bythe time I was 17 and learned so much by being part of thetheater growing up. All of that training has been helpfuland instrumental for forming my career in all other aspects. Regularly being on radio and television is a naturalextension of my musical and acting background! I am morecomfortable on television (in front of one-million viewers),than in a room filled with ten people! It seems you are as passionate working at this as you are asa singer, especially your Work as vegetarian educator.

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I love to cook, I love to sing, and I love animals - put 'em togetherand that makes for a passionate and joyful career as an advocatefor a compassionate and healthy plant-based diet. Creating recipesis like scat singing - I love scatting a new phrase to enhance aclassic song, so when I cook, I savor the process of improvising new,healthy versions of traditional recipes, depending on what’s in mykitchen or available at the local market. Fresh, fun and fabulous!Educating folks about a healthier way of living, while entertainingat the same time, has become my goal. Plant-based eating is better

Cover and additional Photos byLaura Theodore

Puerto Rico VeganRestaurants Guide Café Berlín, Calle San Francisco 407,San Juan. 787-722-5205 La Buena Mesa de Oscar, Calle Loíza#1801, Santurce, 787.268.5202 Orgánico Bistro, Ave. Rafael Cordero,Local #16 Plaza del Mercado, Caguas,787.600.4190 La Familia, Jose de Diego # 151,Mayagüez, 787.833.7571 Freshmart, 201 Calle Calaf, Hato Rey,787.762.7800 La Zanahoria, Ave. Eleanor Roosevelt214 Hato Rey, 787.274.0058 Cocobana Café, Calle Loíza #2000,Santurce, 787.268.7758 Peace & Loaf, Ave. Américo Miranda1402 Río Piedras, 787.293.7773

Puerto Rico Jazz Legends:Willie Bobo Percussionist William Correa "Willie Bobo," one ofthe most important figures of Latin jazz was bornin New York on February 28, 1934. He playedbongos at age 7 and at 13 he was an assistant atthe Machito Orchestra. The following year he metMongo Santamaria. His nickname was given by the jazz pianist MaryLou Williams, with whom he recorded in 1951due yo Willie's antics in the studio. Mary LouWilliams dedicated him the composition "Bobo'sChant". In 1953, he recorded with Noro Morales and TitoRodriguez. When Tito Puente left MannyOquendo Orchestra, Willie enters the orchestra asbongocero. In 1955 he recorded "Chango" withMongo Santamaria. In 1958 Bobo and Santamariamove to San Francisco to work with Cal Tjader. Willie Bobo was part of the first recordings ofMongo Santamaria and also records with flutistHerbie Mann. In 1963 Willie Bobo starts recording as leader ofhis group, playing drums and singing. In his musicBobo fuses elements of popular music with jazzand uses the guitar as a harmonic instrument. Thetheme Evil Ways, that years later would be asuccess of Carlos Santana, was composed byguitarist for the band Sonny Henry Willie Bobo. During his career in music Willie recorded withjazz greats, among them, Miles Davis, ChicoHamilton, Cannonball Adderley, Herbie Hancockand Wes Montgomery. In 1964 he reunited with Cal Tjader onceagain and recorded Soul Sauce. Willie Bobo played in the Playboy JazzFestival shortly before his death in LosAngeles on September 15, 1983.