Laura Brunner Wins Talent Competition! Steppin` Out 2006 Talent

Media Contacts:
Sue Auclair, 617-522-1394
Sue Auclair Promotions; www.sueauclair.com
jazzwoman@earthlink.net
Barry Clifford, 617-442-8800 x1421
Dimock Community Health Center; www.dimock.org
bcliffo1@dimock.org
For Immediate Release:
September 26, 2006
Laura Brunner Wins Talent Competition!
Steppin' Out 2006
Talent Search Finals
Monday, September 25 at Scullers Jazz Club
Choose Laura Brunner to Appear at Steppin' Out 19
Boston, MA--September 25, 2006--Tonight a panel of prestigious judges chose singer Laura Brunner and her band to perform at
Dimock Community Health Center's annual Steppin' Out Gala, November 4. BRUNNER completely wowed the judges and
the crowd of more than 150 people at Scullers with an original composition dedicated to the situation in Iraq. Five terrific
and talented groups, chosen from more than 30 entries, performed in 10 minute segments at Scullers Jazz Club while the panel of
judges deliberated over the winning group. The other four competing final groups included the Beat Kaestli Quintet, Clear Blue,
Jazz In The Air and Juliet Lloyd.
Laura Brunner is an accomplished young singer/composer hailing from Columbus, Ohio, where she sang with numerous choirs
and performed with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra on many occasions. In 2002, Brunner received a scholarship to attend
Berklee. She has performed in Berklee's popular Singers' Showcase concert twice, and also in master classes with Meredith Monk,
Riannon, and Ellis Marsalis. Brunner recently released a CD of original compositions and co-organized and performed in the
Fresh Forward Jazz Festival, giving young composers an opportunity to showcase their material and promote the future generation
of jazz.
The Laura Brunner Group was chosen to (1) win $500, (2) perform alongside internationally known artists and (3) to showcase her
music talent before attending press, major corporate heads and music industry professionals at Steppin' Out for Dimock 19 on
Saturday, November 4.
The 19th annual Steppin' Out fundraising gala will take place this year at the Sheraton Boston Hotel [39 Dalton Street, Boston] on
Saturday, November 4 at 8:00 pm, beginning with a pre-gala reception and dinner from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm.
The theme of this year’s event will be "Steppin' Out for Dimock 19 - New Orleans Style," and as usual more than 15 nationally
known jazz, rhythm & blues, Latin, and other eclectic performers will descend on the heart of Boston for one fabulous party on
two levels in seven rooms. This year's New Orleans-themed lineup will feature R&B/gospel vocal stars Kenny Lattimore & Chanté
Moore, legendary New Orleans' pianist/vocalist Dr. John, Latin timbales king Tito Puente Jr. and his big band, jazz trombonist
Delfeayo Marsalis and his band, rhythm and blues vocalist Cuba Gooding, Sr. and his band The Main Ingredient, R&B
songwriter, producer and vocalist Dwele, heavy New Orleans brass funk titans Rebirth Brass Band, the diva of jazz and blues
Lavay Smith & The Red Hot Skillet Lickers, the New Orleans' swing, funk, second line, R&B, hard bop, Latin, blues and calypso
ensemble known as the Henri Smith - Nat Simpkins Band with saxophonist Charles Neville, singer/songwriter Digney Fignus and
his Cajun Band, jazz tenor saxophonist Paulo Danay and his Jazz Quartet, tuba player Kendrick Oliver and his gospel-tinged big
band New Life Orchestra, jazz and gospel/R&B pianist George Russell Jr. and his band featuring vocalist Wannetta Jackson, jazz
pianist Hey Rim Jeon, New York-based-Tobago-born island/gospel singer Wendy Mitchell, and Boston's own Silver Lining Gospel
Singers. These artists will be performing all evening, alternating continuously in eight different "nightclubs" at the Sheraton
Boston Hotel beginning at 8:00 pm and ending at 2:00 am. Food and cash bars will be available throughout the evening in each
room.
Tickets are on sale now and range from $100 [seniors] to $350 [star patron tickets]. Tickets can be purchased directly from
Dimock Community Health Center located at 55 Dimock Street, Roxbury and can also be bought at Allen's Formalwear [594
Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester] as well as at A Nubian Notion [41 Warren Street, Roxbury]. For full information, go to:
www.steppinoutgala.org or call: 617-442-8800 x1006. In addition, the Sheraton Boston Hotel in Back Bay is offering a special
overnight rate off $199 for Steppin’ Out guests. For reservations and information call: (888) 627-7054; this offer is valid through
October 6.
Steppin’ Out for Dimock is Boston’s liveliest and most highly anticipated annual gala fundraising event.
Steppin Out For Dimock 19 – New Orleans Style
Saturday, November 4, 8 PM - 2 AM, Sheraton Boston Hotel, 39 Dalton Street, Boston
STEPPIN' OUT 2006 "CLUB" LINEUP:
THE JUDAH "PRAISE" CLUB
BASIN STREET JAZZ CLUB
•
Dr. John & The Lower 911
•
Wendy Mitchell
•
Kenny Lattimore & Chanté Moore
•
Silver Lining Gospel Singers
•
Reverend Clarence Powell
THE LOBBY CAFÉ CLUB
•
THE HI-HAT
Rebirth Brass Band
THE SAVOY
•
Cuba Gooding Sr. & The Main Ingredient
•
Tito Puente, Jr.
•
Kendrick Oliver & The New Life Orchestra
THE JAZZ WORKSHOP
•
Delfeayo Marsalis
•
The Henri Smith-Nat Simpkins Band with
Charles Neville
•
Vivian Male
•
Paulo Danay Jazz Quartet
•
Hey Rim Jeon
•
Laura Brunner
SCULLERS JAZZ CLUB
•
George Russell, Jr.
•
Lavay Smith & The Red Hot Skillet Lickers
THE FRENCH QUARTER
•
Dwele
•
Disc Jockey
THE DIMOCK PAVILION
•
Digney Fignus Cajun Band
Ticket Prices:
•
•
Star Ticket
General Admission
$350
$200
A Nubian Notion
57 Warren Street, Roxbury MA
Tickets are available at these locations:
Dimock Community Health Center
55 Dimock Street, Roxbury MA
Allan’s Formal Wear
594 Blue Hill Avenue, Dorchester MA
For more information please call 617.442.8800, x1006 or
visit: www.steppinoutgala.org