Biography
Lela Kaplowitz gives something artistic to the world. It makes people look at the ordinary things in a new way. It stimulates them to see with a new perspective. Lela’s flood of creativity changes people’s lives for the better and raises beauty out of ordinary daily life. Lela’s mission is to stimulate, to entertain, to show beauty. She is a success because she loves her calling.
Lela was born in Croatia. She began professionally singing at 16. Lela studied vocal improvisation with Sheila Jordan at the Jazz Conservatorium in Graz, Austria, and later in New York with world-renowned jazz musicians like Jay Clayton, Mark Murphy, Barry Harris, and Kate McGarry.
Lela also attended the Berklee Summer Music Workshop in Perugia, Italy, and studied at the New School in New York. Lela continues to study at Berklee Music online and with acclaimed vocal coach Dot Todman from LA.
She performed and recorded with prominent musicians like Arturo Farrill and the Chico’ O’Farrill Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, Doug Carn, Miles Griffith, Bill Saxton, Harry Whittaker, Dick Griffin, Craig Handy, Gary Fritz, Mark Rapp, Bob Alberti, Ben Tucker, 2 Cellos and many others.
During the five years of her life in New York City, Lela was heard and seen at the most prominent places of the American musical history: Madison Square Garden (International Music Festival, 2003.), Birdland, The Blue Note, Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola, Detour, Smalls, Central Park Summer Stage, Miles Jaye’s Jazz Festival in Atlantic City, Miami, Philadelphia, and Savannah. In Europe, Lela travelled and performed in most prominent European jazz clubs and festivals.
In 2009, Lela won the title “Lady Summertime” at the one of the largest female vocal jazz competitions in the world in Kaajani, Finland.
Lela recorded a few albums and appeared on several as a guest vocalist. One of her favorite ones is being a guest vocalist on a Two Cellos video “Now we are free”.
On September 19th 2019 Lela performed at the world renowned Carnegie Hall in New York City promoting her newest album “To One” published by Parma Recordings. Lela has been actively recording, performing online and live and teaching throughout Europe and the US. Currently Lela is preparing her new album of old Croatian hit songs arranged in jazz style and in Croatian language.
As a vocal coach, Lela has been actively teaching vocal technique and jazz improvisation, relaxation and other techniques connected with body, mind and song. She is always striving to give her students the best possible experience regardless of if being an individual vocal lesson, masterclass, or a summer school. She is motivational, upbeat and a pleasure to work with.
“She is a singer of unique and valuable ability…”
Percy Heath
“Lovely voice”
Bobby McFerrin
“Kaplowitz’s singing is simply superb.”
Michael Bailey (All About Jazz)
“I found Lela to be an extremely talented vocalist…”
Sheila Jordan
“I appreciate Lela’s radiant talent, creativity and individuality. With her sensibility and intelligence, Lela avoids the pitfalls of imitation and servile reproduction, and gives the songs a perfectly personal interpretation.”
Miles Griffith
“Lela Kaplowitz has a remarkable tone, great timing and essentially gives a vocal…”
Brent Black (Criticaljazz.com)
“Anyone who has ever seen her perform live is sure to remember her unique, brilliant voice, her immense charisma and her charm, grace and exotic beauty. Even when she sings jazz standards, Lela goes well beyond fine interpretation, embodying each song, giving it new life, new meanings, deeper siginificance…”
Juan F. Merino (El Diario La Prensa).