Music

“LaVon is one of those rare performers that can cause people to laugh out loud as she performs. Her renditions of melodies are exquisite and her vocal improvisations suggest deep understandings of musical rhythms and jazz sensibilities. Hot Club Sandwich is incredibly lucky to work with a vocalist of such caliber—she knows how to bring out the best in everyone’s performance.”
-James Schneider, Hot Club Sandwich

LaVon Hardison at Jake's in Steilacoom, WA

Authenticity and soul are the foundations upon which LaVon stands when she performs. She simply has a rare ability to become a direct connection between the listener and the music, singing not so much to the ears as to the heart. Even more than her obvious musical chops, this ability is what draws people to her performances, and finds them savoring each song like the courses of a gourmet meal.

While LaVon’s clearly articulated lyrics unravel her songs’ stories, emotion and the melody are an even bigger part of her storytelling. “I think people get caught up with words, which get to the intellect. Music can get straight to your being. Words tend to have barriers, but music has an ability to break down these barriers. Music doesn’t have to jump through so many hoops on its way to the heart.”

Catching LaVon at a live performance is a gift; she performs around the Pacific Northwest, and now has some fans in New Delhi, India, after a gospel-music performance and workshop at a sacred music festival there. LaVon’s three CDs capture something of the musical imagination, creativity, depth, and skill she brings to every song she sings.
LaVon is available for special events and functions. Whether you are looking for a jazz trio or the intimate setting of piano and voice, LaVon can make your event extra special.

LaVon with Joe Baque on piano, Steve Luceno on bass at Cicada Restaurant and Lounge Febuary 12, 2011

	“LaVon’s singing gives us the rare joy of hearing an agile voice in the service of an agile mind … and all of it blessed by a rompin’ good sense of humor. Pure fun, every time!” -Juli Kelen, K.A.O.S. fm
	“When LaVon performs a song, you can be assured that not only will it sung beautifully, with the playfulness and the poignancy the song deserves, … each song becomes a distinct and memorable experience for the listener.” -Dick Meyer Traditions Café and World Folk Art
	“…the hot, syncopated songs of the swing era.” -Saturday Cafe, KLCC-fm

LaVon has also contributed vocals to the album Para Los Ninos by Obrador (available online at the K Records store) and to the album Digga Digga Do by Hot Club Sandwich (available at the band’s website).

For booking and availability info for concerts, private events, or studio recording, please fill out the form on the Contact page.

“…LaVon Hardison has a startlingly clear, sweet voice, resembling not just a little Ella Fitzgerald’s. She’s right in Ella’s bag on much of Choices, but she’s got the versatility to try a few other directions as well, making this a consistently stimulating CD. … Through it all her pure tone and crisp but warm diction never wavers and it all sounds easy. … Choices is a great record!”
-Tom Peterson, Victory Review

“When Ms Hardison put her lovely head back and sang, the night came alive. This stylistic jazz vocalist embellished the quartet with her nectarous and energetic voice — the closest thing to perfect pitch since Jo Stafford. The lady swings. She reminds us a little of Carmen McCrae….”
-Jimmy Squire, The Sitting Duck

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