Lori Carsillo: Mom, Jazz Lounge Singer & Slumber Songstress

Lori Carsillo is an incredibly talented local jazz singer, and has recently released a new lullaby cd called “Lullabies for Little Dreamers”. Her voice is sultry and melodic, and the sweet songs are a joy to listen to for both you and your baby. We grabbed Lori and asked her a few questions about her music and what inspires her. 

Read on to find out more and for a chance to win a copy of her album.

Name: Lori Carsillo

Town: East Bay

How many kids, names and ages?: 2 boys, William (Billy), is 3 1/2 and Henry who's 18 months.

Job: Jazz lounge singer

What inspired you to do this cd?

Years before I was married and had children, a few mom friends had told me that their babies had regularly fallen asleep to the sounds of my jazz vocal demo tapes and recommeneded that I do a lullaby album. I had always wanted to do one, but it never seemed to materialize. When my first baby was about to be born in 2005, I realized that I had better start memorizing some lullabies I always imagined singing to my child, or I'd be singing a lot of "la la las" in place of words! So I started collecting the lyrics to my favorite lullabies and realized this was the perfect time in my life to create the album I always dreamed of. It took a bit of work to get it all together, and I actually ended up recording the whole thing while I was 8 months pregnant with my second child.

Where do you find inspiration for your songs?

Most of the songs on the album are ones I heard as a baby or child, either from my mother singing them and others from the wonderful Disney movies from the 60's like Mary Poppins’ ("Stay Awake") and Chitty Chitty Bang Bangs’ ("Hushabye Mountain"). I had even performed the song "My own Home" from the Jungle Book in a class talent show when i was in 1st grade.

There is one song on the album by Madonna called "Little Star", which I always thought woudl make a great lullaby when I heard it on her Ray of Light album. Being a jazz singer, there are also a few jazz tunes that I felt I had to record, such as: "Summertime", "Lullaby of Birdland", "Little B's Poem".

I wrote the lyrics to the song "Sleep Little Child" and the guitar player and co-arranger on the album, Jay Stapleton, wrote the music.

I have very strong memories of my mother singing the Brahms Lullaby to me, and when I went looking for the lyrics, I couldn't find the words I remembered hearing. I asked my mom where her lyrics were from and she said "Oh, I just made those up on the spot." So we wrote the words together based on what we remembered. It was a very special thing to do with her.

What do you enjoy most about singing?

I love telling stories and making people feel something. It's also a very freeing feeling to be singing. When I sing — life just seems to make sense. 

Now that I am a parent, it's also nice to have an excuse to get all dolled up and go out to a bar or restaurant, even if it's only for work.

How do you "balance" your singing career with parenting?

It can get a little crazy sometimes, especially since I have some late night and my two walking alarm clocks will wake me up by 7 am or earlier each morning. No matter how late I've gone to bed. But since the shows I do are usually only a few times a week with lots of time between, I can usually make up for it.

My husband works a "regular" day job with fairly normal, albeit long, hours. So he can usually take care of the boys when I"m singing on weekends and some evenings. Sometimes we need to cover the time between my leaving and his arriving home with a babysitter. I also try to squeeze in moments of practice and business here and there. Billy goest o preschool 3 mornings a week and Henry still takes one nap a day, so I take what I can get!

* * * * * *

Lori is offering our readers a chance to win one of her lullaby cd. Comment below to enter. Entries will close October 1. You can listen to samples of her music on her website.

If you are in the bay area, you can catch Lori for some grown up music at Park Chalet on 9/11, Cafe Claude on 9/12, and Taste of Rome on 9/13. Check her website for more details.

Comments

[Laura Daniels]

Inspiring ... Thanks!

[Cheryl Arkison]

Ooh, I like this idea for a CD. Off to her site for a listen.

[Dean De Jesus Sr.]

I have enjoyed Lori's soothing melodies. I love the way she transforms sunshine, lollipops, rainbows and everything into her joie de vivre. We are the lucky few that get to listen to her.

[Andrew]

I already have this CD and adore it. And I don't have kids! Dreamers do not have to be little to enjoy this music, I'd recommend it to anyone. Absolutely lovely. It will take you to another world.

[George Chan]

Hey, Lori. A lullaby album sounds great. Kids are poppin and a poopin up a storm all around me. Would love to throw my name in the hat.

[Wendy]

Congratulations Lori, and thanks for introducing me to this site. There are a million cool resources for independent artists and this is one more to share with others.
Best wishes,
Wendy

[Carolyn]

Love Lullabies for Little Dreamers & Lori too.
Great article!
Congratulations,
Auntie Carolyn

[Bret Wilbur]

I love the idea the for the album. Given Lori's talents - I imagine this works a lot better than warm milk.

Best,

Bret

[David Markowitz]

Lori's a great singer and a thoroughly nice person. Always fun going to see her perform, so why not have her at home as well?
Hey Bret!