2007 : “Yes I Know What It Means! ” An album dedication, a dream come true.

As a little girl, Laurence dreamed of conquering America. At the age of 36 her dream came true, no longer as a member or guest of a band like before, but this time under her own name Laurence “Lo” Jay. George Buck, founder of GHB Records in New Orleans wanted her in his legendary specialized catalog! That’s how she became , in May 2007, the only French female jazz singer ever produced in New Orleans.

She named the team that would accompany her “the Jazz Addicts”,chose its members and crafted the repertoire of the album. She gave the musical direction to trombonist Sébastien Arruti, a friend of hers, and surrounded herself with his faithful acolytes Guillaume Nouaux, Julien Bruneteaud, Sébastien Girardot, Jacques Gauthé, Ryan Burrage, Duke Heitger and newcomer David Blenkhorn. The CD is called “Yes I Know What It Means!”, in response to the emblem theme of New Orleans, “Do you Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?”.

A French Girl in New Orleans: Why?

Nothing happens by chance. Let’s backtrack…

2002 : Her debut in jazz.
For the first time in 2002, Laurence “LO” Jay raised her voice on a New Orleans jazz album, “At the Jazz Band Ball,” with the New Bumpers from Bordeaux.

Until then, Lo had bathed in rock and pop music. Despite this, she accepted the proposal of Frédéric Dupin to sing jazz on his first CD.

Which opened new horizons to her. She appeared on two traditional jazz standards, “Georgia On My Mind” and “Some of These Days,”, which was sufficient to trigger the virus. She was given the role of a canary trying to meet at any price this new world where it is difficult to be accepted when you come from elsewhere…like singers used to be in the 30s and the 40s, She would take the necessary time to make jazz her new culture and even learned to play the banjo for better immersion. She quickly became the pivotal member of the New Bumpers and they flew with her several times to New Orleans…

2003 : Holidays in NOLA.

In 2003, Laurence “LO” Jay, in her quest for knowledge of jazz, decided to go where it’s happening ! She suggested to the leader of the New Bumpers to spend a few days in New Orleans. Once there, they went to all the places where jazz musicians perform and very quickly made friends with Jacques Gauthé, Leroy Jones, Duke Heitger, Ryan Burrage, etc…

2004: First CD and DVD in NOLA

A year later, they went back to NOLA and “Trip to New Orleans” was born in the cradle of what drove Lo and her colleagues including Alain Barrabès, Fred Lasnier , Cyril Dubilé, Duke Heitger and Jacques Gauthé.

Barely released in 2004, the album that mixes original compositions of Lo Jay and Guillaume Nouaux as well as covers of traditional standards was a success. The French and the American media welcomed them with open arms. Ranked among the best albums of the year by the Bulletin of the Hot Club of France, great critics about Lo’s remarkable interpretation in all the reviews of Jazz Hot magazine, Jazz Classic, Jazz Swing, Dixie, Jazzman, Mississippi Rag, Off Beat …

All of this opened the doors of festivals in France and Louisiana to them. In addition, Lo sang a duet with the brilliant trumpeter Duke Heitger “Beale Street Blues,” The first duet for both of them ever recorded.

Lo is honored to be ,for this occasion, the first vocalist performer of the theme “Crescent City Moon” written by the fine clarinetist Tim Laughlin, a pure native of New Orleans, also guest on the album.

In May 2004 Emmanuel Rioland produced a DVD which is not only the making of the album “Trip to New Orleans”, but also a music documentary. It immerses us in the various gigs of the New Bumpers and their guests, Lo Jay, Duke Heitger, Jacques Gauthé and Tim Laughlin. Interspersed with images of concerts in the Crescent City, including Fritzel’s Jazz Club on the famous Bourbon Street at Donna’s, and the Palm Court, the recording sessions in the studio of George Buck Jr., Audiophile, testimonies and interviews, views of the Old French

Quarter, this DVD offers us a real visit to the city before the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina in August 2004.

April 2005: last CD with the New Bumpers and Paul Cheron: 1012 Orleans Street

Laurence “LO” Jay sang four tracks on the album “1012 Orleans Street”, recorded in April 2005 again in NOLA the Audiophile Recording Studio of George H. BUCK Jr.

This was the last time Lo recorded with the New Bumpers. The album is named after the address where the band lived while recording. There are original compositions with lyrics written by LO JAY, “Congo

Joys”, “Grumbling Trombone” and “I Love You When You take the bus” composed by William Nouaux.

Lo Jay toured the famous scenes of festivals in Louisiana: French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and the Louisiana International Festival in Lafayette. A renewed group including Paul Cheron, Julien Bruneteaud … and as usual Jacques Gauthé and Duke Heitger …