RED-Y FOR THE HOLIDAYS?
on the cover
Halie Loren brings festive cheer to Newport
By BARBARA B. COVELL
For the TODAY
T
his is the season for music and song,
family and friends, light and joy.
Halie Loren knows how to deliver.
Th is Alaska-raised Oregonian with a
crystal-clear voice has been rocking
international audiences with her diverse
style and genre-bending approach to
classics and original fare. Although
critically acclaimed as a jazz artist, Loren
thinks of herself as a singer-songwriter.
She has released nine albums, each a
powerhouse of her stylistic approach to
timeless and modern music that appeals
to audiences of all ages.
Now she returns to the Newport
Performing Arts Center to present a
concert of holiday magic with nostalgic
favorites done in familiar fashion along
with songs that play with seasonal
themes in unexpected ways. Joining
Loren are Matt Treder on piano, Sean
Peterson on bass, Rob Birdwell on
trumpet and Charlie Doggett on drums.
Together this classic quintet will bring
a little extra warmth, tranquility, humor
and light to Newport audiences.
Th e concerts are presented by the
Newport Symphony Orchestra at
the Ocean, but the NSO will not be
performing.
Among the holiday favorites Loren
and her band perform are “Home for the
Holidays,” “Th e Christmas Song,” “Let
it Snow,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Have
Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and
other up-tempo classics.
“I love doing holiday songs and will
put my whole heart into it,” Loren said.
“I look forward to the holidays and
am happy to share seasonal songs with
people also celebrating. It will be really
fun, defi nitely for multiple generations to
enjoy,” adding, “I have worked with all of
these musicians for a long time and will
enjoy spending the holidays with them.”
Tredor and Loren have been playing
together for 20 years and collaborated on
a holiday album together entitled “Many
Times, Many Ways.” It will be available
for purchase before and after the show.
So, how does a girl who grew up in
Sitka, Alaska, become an international
sensation with diverse audiences in
North America, Asia and Europe?
“Music has always been a part of my
life,” Loren said. “I started writing music
at 13 and had my fi rst gig at 14. I was
dedicated from early on. Growing up, I
realized it was a part of me. My family
was very supportive and involved in my
music. It’s a hard road to travel, I’m so
glad I never felt unsupported.”
Loren fell in love with songwriting
at an early age, playing the piano and
keyboards. at the age of 17, she moved to
Nashville for two years and wrote music
with other songwriters.
“Th is was the most important two
years in my developmental process of
being a musician,” she said. “I realized
it could be a viable thing, a real career, a
labor of love.”
Loren attended the University of
Oregon, receiving her degree in Visual
Arts. She began to develop herself
stylistically. She was categorized as a jazz
singer, but is quick to say, “I do a lot of
other types of music, explore diff erent
genres. Stylistic labels limit people. My
music is a blend of the styles I love.”
Loren is a lover of languages and
cultures. Her repertoire is multi-lingual,
she performs in Spanish, French,
Portuguese, Italian, Japanese and Korean,
garnering national and international
awards, critical and chart success. Her
phonetics are spot on.
“I love to be able to deliver the story
and unfold music as it is meant to be
sung,” she said.
Loren does a lot of touring, sometimes
juggling a heavy schedule with the
challenges of air travel. Sometimes
her band tours with her. Other times
she meets up with diff erent musicians,
forges new friendships, always loving the
collaboration with creative people.
“I am an extremely blessed person to
be able to do this,” she said.
Th e Saturday, Dec. 14, concert is at 7:30
pm, followed on Sunday Dec. 15, by a 2
pm matinée. Tickets, $27 to $42 or $10 for
students, can be purchased at the PAC box
offi ce by calling 541-265-2787 or online
at NewportSymphony.org. Family and
groups of six or more can save 50 percent on
Sunday’s matinee performance by purchasing
standard or premium tickets at the PAC box
offi ce.
For more information, go to HalieLoren.
com.
oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • December 13, 2019 • 9