Laranah Phipps Ray & La Funkalicious

Description

The Phipps Family Legacy
In the late 1930's the Phipps Family emerged on the USA jazz scene and began to position themselves as a New Jersey jazz entity.
Pianist Ernie Phipps and younger brother Gene Phipps Sr. led the big band "The Marlarks of Rhythm"  at the Savoy Ball Room along with "The Sultans of Swing" Poncho Diggs, and other big bands. Later Gene Phipps Sr. took over the big band, which included Georgie Auld and Laurel Gardens.
At age 17, Eugene Phipps, Sr. traveled with Billie Holiday, Joe Guy, Max Roach and Ike Quebec on an international tour.
During the 1950's Gene Ph ... ipps co-led the house band at the legendary Washington Bar, which also featured Babbs Gonzolas, Lew-Rew Jordan, and Ike Quebec. Many of Newark's jazz musicians honed their skills sitting in with the Washington Bar house band.
Pianist Nat Phipps along with twin brother Bill Phipps formed the Nat Phipps big band with Wayne Shorter, Grachon Moncur, Chris White, Charlie Mason, Gene Phipps Sr., Harold Phipps and Robert Thomas. Wayne Shorter left the band to tour with Maynard Ferguson and later Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.
In 1960 Nat Phipps condensed the big band down to form the Mega Tones. The Mega Tones worked all of the major jazz clubs. At this time Gene Phipps Sr, Nat Phipps, Chicho Mendoza, and Joe Thomas were among the top groups working the East Coast scene.
Nat Phipps was the original leader of the Peppermint Ballroom's Tuesday night jam session, located in East Orange, NJ.
Bill Phipps left the Mega Tones Big Band to tour with Dizzy Gillespie's Big Band in 1967 Playing Baritone sax, then on to Ray Charles' band and Jack Mcduff's Band.
Harold Phipps formed a jazz and Latin jazz sextet that included the Phipps Family and other top local musicians.
Gene Phipps Jr. hit the jazz scene in the late 1960's. In the early 1970's Gene Jr. toured with The Lamama Theatre under the direction of Ellen Steward. Debbie Allen was also one of the members of Lamama.
Gene Phipps Jr. toured with Max Roach, Abbey Lincoln, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Carter Jefferson, Woody Shaw, Tito Puente and Ray Barretto.
In 1985 Gene Phipps Jr. was one of the pioneers of the Priory Jazz Club, playing every Thursday night for several years.
Angela Phipps, music educator taught music in the Newark school district from the 1950's until she retired in 1990.
Laranah Phipps, daughter of Gene Phipps Sr., began to study music at age 6. She sang with the Queen of Angels Junior Choir. In 1980 she won Showtime at the Apollo and several talent competitions and pageants.
In 1985 she formed the Laranah Phipps Jazz Ensemble and toured with many top musicians including The Phipps Family, Emory B. Tinley, Corkey Caldwell, Big John Patton, Radam Schwarts, James Stewart, Daryl Robinson, Nathan Lucas and many others.
Laranah's intense focus on jazz prompted several prominent jazz musicians to take an interest in her music career.
Laranah Phipps is the lead vocalist of the critically acclaimed and world renowned band, "Cosmic Krewe", under the direction of Michael Ray, trumpeter for Kool and the Gang, Sun Ra Arkestra, Phish, Bare Naked Ladies, Big Ol' Nasty Getdown, Jazz is PHSH,  and many others.
Laranah Phipps continues to tour and record with top musicians. She is dedicated to maintaining and continuing the legazy of her family.
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Set-List

Laranah Phipps & Michael Ray Songbook
The Jazz Standards Songbook
Sun Ra Arkestra Songbook
Top 40s, Funk and R&B Classics

Biography

Laranah Phipps is a Cosmic/Jazz/ Funk/Neo/Afro-Future/Rock vocalist influenced by the sounds throughout the Universe.
Laranah Phipps is the lead vocalist for the critically acclaimed band "Cosmic Krewe" under the direction of Grammy Awards Winner, Michael Ray, renowned trumpeter for Patti Labelle, The Delfonic, The Stylistics, Kool and the Gang, Sun Ra Arkestra, Phish, Bare Naked Ladies, Big Ol' Nasty Getdown, Jazz is PHSH and many others A-Listers.
Noted as "One of the hottest jewels in the East Coast jazz crown" - Zan Stewart (Star Ledger), Laranah is heir apparent to the Phipps Fam ... ily "New Jersey's First Family of Jazz". The Phipps Family has a long, prosperous and well documented jazz pioneering history both in the USA and abroad. Ernie Phipps, Angie Phipps, Gene Phipps, Sr. (her father), Nat Phipps, Harold Phipps, Bill Phipps, and Gene Phipps Jr. have all helped to pave the way for Laranah's successful music career.
Ms. Phipps brings to the table, her own distinctive sound, cosmic interpretations,  phrasing, timing, story telling, and a volcanic grasp of groove. Her straight-ahead approach combines tried and tested jazz improvisation with new and innovative ideas. Laranah's voice is laced with a certain ancient African sultry richness, her instrument soars with a distinct yet familiar soul and power. 
With her explosive range, her regal stage presence, her Tour-De-Force multi genre stage show, her cosmicly conscious fashion and her charismatic personality.
Laranah Phipps is a dynamic cross-over vocalist. Her intergrative music encompasses a wide variety of styles. She an inspiring entertainer you must experience.
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Previous Clients

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino Chandler, AZ
Whitetail Club McCall, Idaho*
Indiana State Fairgrounds Indianapolis, IN
Stambaugh Auditorium Youngstown, OH
Grand Sierra Resort Reno, NV
San Jose Jazz FestivalSan Jose, CA
Peralada Festival Peralada, Spain
Rewind Festival Henley-on-Thames, UK
Club De Tennis, Hotel Puente Romana Marbella, Spain
Innsbrook After Hours Glen Allen, VA
Lynn Auditorium Lynn, MA
Pacific National Exhibition Amphitheatre Vancouver, Canada
LB Day Amphitheatre-Oregon State Fair Salem, OR
Fort Sill Army BaseLawton, OK
Seneca Niagara Falls Event Center Niagara ... Falls, NY
Horse/Stud Farm Landsberg am Lech, Germany*
Kaaboo Festival Del Mar, CA
Los Angeles County Fair Pomona, CA
Desert Diamond Casino Sahuarita, AZ
The Astorian Houston, TX
Gran Arena Monticello Santiago, Chile
Convention Center Maria Angola Lima, Peru
Marriott Marquis Ballroom New York, NY*
Liberty Hall at The Reserve Hotel Boston, MA*
Palace Theatre Greensburg, PA
Gilley's South Side Ballroom Dallas, TX
Anahiem Convention Center Anahiem, CA*
Pyramid Festival Paris, France
Ziggodome Amsterdam, Netherlands
Ziggodome Amsterdam, Netherlands
El Gran Teatre el Licue Barcelona, Spain
Marriott Grand Hotel St. Louis, MO
Venetian Theatre Las Vegas, NV*
Rochester Riverside Convention Center Rochester, NY*
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Suitable for

Bar / Bat Mitzvah Birthday Party (Adult) Casinos Christening Christmas Party Cocktail Party / Drinks Reception Corporate Event Dinner Party Jewish Wedding Private Party Product Launch / Promotion Trade Show / Exhibitions