aRAUz, led by Miss Alicia Rau, features sultry vocals in French and English, savory horn nuances, catchy tunes both familiar and new, and diverse world grooves. With a degree in Music and Anthropology from the University of Iowa & field study in Senegal, West Africa, Rau has been on stage for over twenty-five years. Specializing in musical styles tailored to each unique setting, aRAUz truly connects with the audience, setting the scene for a beautiful night of music.
ALICIA RAU, trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals, & percussion, has shared the stage with the Diva Jazz Orchestra, Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes, Dave White’s Jazz Orchestra, the Divine Soul Rhythm Band, and M.A.S. Big Band. She has worked with Ann Hampton Callaway, Maurice Hines, Freda Payne, Tommy Newsom, Cleo Laine, John Dankworth, Maxine Brown, Baby Washington, Tammy Lynn, John di Martino, Sylvia Cuenca, Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. Rau has since been featured in NY1’s music video contest, reality show 100 Songs in 100 Days, recent films My Sassy Girl and Night on the Riviera, and has performed at the Blue Note, Birdland, Highland Ballroom, Jazz Gallery, Parlor Jazz, the Zinc Bar, and Yankees Stadium.
Composer, bassist, leader and sideman Marcus McLaurine has become one of the most sought-after artists in jazz, sharing bandstands with Dizzy Gillespie, Kenny Burrell, James Moody, Lou Donaldson, Dame Cleo Laine, Joe Williams, Jon Hendricks, Abbey Lincoln, and the Count Basie Orchestra under the direction of Thad Jones. Omaha-native Marcus moved to Los Angeles at age 22 and began playing electric bass with guitar legend Billy Rogers. After later moving to New York, he played Carnegie Hall with trombonist Melba Liston, and has toured with
trumpeter Clark Terry for twenty-five years. (over)
Adam Lomeo is a guitarist and composer originally from Utica, NY. Now in his early twenties, he holds an undergraduate degree in Jazz performance from William Paterson University, where he was awarded 2008-2009 outstanding musician award. In 2008, he toured China, and has since produced notable performances including; Chris’s Jazz CafeÌ (Philadelphia), Bowery Poetry Club (NYC), the New York State Music Fund’s Jazz and Blues series, On-Air performance for WBGO Jazz 88.3, and Nanjing Art Institute (China).
Percussionist Bruce began playing drums at 12 years old and studied European classical percussion with Anthony Orlando of the Philadelphia Orchestra and drum set with the late great Philly Joe Jones. After touring with Sun Ra, he lived in Paris, France to study West African Drumming. As a regular member of the Sonny Rollins Band since 1997, Bruce has also performed and recorded with Jon Hendricks, Fred Wesley, Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, and JJ Johnson. Bruce has worked with Fred Wesley for the past 14 years and has performed with Woody Shaw, Reggi Workman, Mal Waldron, Freddy Cole, Jimmy Scott, Stanley Turretine, Donald Byrd, James Spaulding, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Freddie Hubbard, Ravi Coltrane, Kenny Burrel, Stephon Harris, Reggie Washington, and Lou Donaldson.
