Lyn Stanley

Discovered in 2010 by world class jazz pianist and legend, Paul Smith, Lyn Stanley entered singing with the world’s most famous accompanist, Paul Smith and his trio, four months after meeting her. Lyn was born in Tacoma Washington, the same birth town as singers Diane Schuur and Janis Paige. Her dad played piano by ear in the style of Erroll Garner, and Lyn was an attentive listener at an early age. She also had a grandfather who was an opera singer and an uncle who sang tenor roles in local theater groups in Long Beach, CA. Lyn Stanley entered the singing world through a side door—ballroom dancing. She began dancing in 2004 and took a fast study track to becoming a Pro/AM champion in ballroom dancing’s International Standard style and won three events and two national titles in 2010. She also placed 3rd in a World Title event the same year in the same style. Her dancing background leads her rhythm-making her singing style stand out, especially when added to her unique vocal tone. Following her stage debut with Paul Smith, Lyn was accepted into an international open call for a Cabaret training program at Yale University. It was there Lyn learned how to prepare a one-woman show training with some of the greatest performers working in the industry including Amanda McBroom, Julie Wilson, Tovah Feldshuh, Sally Mayes, and Alex Rybeck. Her first one-woman show, “Makin’ Whoopee” was well-received by audiences and critics creating a call for an album from her fans. The birth of her debut album “Lost In Romance” came from her idea to present ballroom dancing rhythms and tempos into jazz interpretations. After all, jazz was first heard in the dance halls and then navigated to the instrumental solos popular today. Lost In Romance is a unique album that combines 13 of Los Angeles’ best jazz musicians performing in four different trios along with soloists. The album is organized as a tale of love’s in’s and out’s, trials and tribulations, joys and disappointments—in a sequence that is best appreciated when heard in song order. The songs include traditional Great American Songbook tunes, but also step into blues and even Broadway-with “Losing My Mind” performed from a dancer’s perspective in a jazz arrangement. The album’s musicians and stellar arrangements were created by Tamir Hendelman, Steve Rawlins and Llew Matthews—all three have worked with some of the greatest artists in America including Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler and Nancy Wilson.

Paul Smith listened to Lost In Romance shortly before his death on June 29, 2013. As Lyn’s mentor, he told her he was very pleased with the album and rated it “A++.” Those who knew Paul can attest that his accolades were sparse and his expectations high from every musician and singer he encountered. Prior to his death, he confided to Lyn that he “hoped to be around for her 10th album” and he believed others would appreciate her work as much as he did.