"Sinatra Reincarnated . . ."
-Savannah Morning News
"If you’re a fan of timeless American tunes and you haven’t caught one of Gurley’s performances, you’re missing out on one of Savannah’s most talented artists."
-The South Magazine
Broadway | American Songbook | Voice Over
"Impressive Vocal Act . . ."
-Connect Savannah Magazine
Performing every Thursday
at Jazz'd Tapas Bar,
downtown Savannah 7:30 - 11pm
Perofrming every Saturday
at Ruth's Chris
downtown Savannah .7:30 - 10pm
If you've heard Trae croon out a few songs from My Sinatra (his one man tribute to The Chairman of The Board) you probably got the feeling that this guy has been on stage before. Born a decade too late, his sound embodies the heart and the mind of the jazz greats. His history with music stretches beyond just that of a vocalist. A musician first, (saxophone, guitar) his passion for singing took root when introduced to Musicial Theater in high school. He got his feet wet as Buddy Layman in The Diviners , then took on the roles of Pippin in Pippin and Matt in The Fantastiks. That continued for the next decade as Trae was involved in many community and professional productions in and around the southeast. You may have seen him as The Prince in Cinderella, Snoopy in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown or Leo in The Little Foxes just to name a few. His portrayal of Tobis in Sweeney Todd won him a “Stony” Award, Savannah's answer to the Tony Awards and opened the door for roles in Forever Plaid, Broadway's "Music of the Night", and sharing the stage with the uncomprable Eartha Kitt in "One Purrfect Evening".
For the past seven years, Trae has been performing the songs that speak to him. His influences are vast, but his voice specializes in the smooth sounds of Sinatra and the sophisticated styling of The American Songbook legends. Performing songs from tunesmiths like Mercer, Porter, Gershwin, Cahn along with a few of Sinatra's torch songs and the result is a mesmerizing mix touching on all the styles of jazz.
Currently, Trae performs his swanky mix of Sinatra tunes and jazz standards at many different venues, from restaurants and jazz bars, to private parties and weddings. From The Hollywood Hills to Cape Cod, he often travels around the country entertaining at lavish events. Notable clients include the famous Hotel Del Coronado, Rolls Royce, Mont Blanc, SCAD, Gulfstream, MOMA, Paula Deen & The Jepson Center for The Arts.
Recently sold out shows include the 2008 and 2009 Annual Birthday Tribute to Johnny Mercer at The Johnny Mercer Theater and The July 4th Extravaganza at The Lucas Theater featuring Jeremy Davis and The Equinox Jazz Orchestra, both in association with The Friends of Johnny Mercer.
You can see Trae at Jazz'd every Thursday, performing Sinatra classics solo or catch him with Jeremy Davis and his big band, The Equinox Jazz Orchestra.
Click right to view videos.
Click below to listen to tracks off "The Good Life".
The Good Life
Fever
I Thought About You
Click below to listen to voice over samples.
Jazz'd Promotional Spot
Georgia Public Broadcasting Interview
with Orlando Montoya
Every Thursday
Jazz'd Tapas Bar
7:30pm - 11pm
Savannah, Georgia
On the corner of Broughton & Barnard
Every Saturday
Ruth's Chris Steak House
7:30pm - 10pm
On the corner of Bay & Whittaker
Friday, August 20, 2010
Private Party in Loxley, Alabama
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
The Mansion on Forsyth Park
6pm - 8pm
Fashion Night
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Savannah Elks Auxiliary
8pm - 11pm with quintet
For Tickets, Call 912.925.6720
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Austin HIll Art Gallery
6pm
Atlanta, Georgia
Gallery Opening
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Columbia City Ballet
6pm - 9pm
Columbia, South Carolina
Thursday, September 25,2010
Hazelton Concert Series
with Jeremy Davis and The Fabulous Equinox Jazz Orchestra
Hazelton Pennsylvania
For Tickets, Call 570.788.4864
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Picnic in The Park
with Eddie Wilson
Monday, October 4, 2010
Savannah Swings
8pm
The Historic Savannah Theatre
For Tickets, Call 912.233.7764
CD Review "The Good Life"
by Dr. Mark A Goral
"Totally original interpretations"
Trae Gurley's CD called "The Good Life" is positively rife with a voice that contains deepness, range, as well as scruffy and gritty edges that only add to the individuality of his vocal textures. Trae's choice of classic jazz titles is phenomenal. His back-up musicians are as unique and individual as Trae's own musical style. I heard his beautiful southern accent come through during a verbal exchange on the last tune. It was both refreshing and endearing. This is a richly "down home" album and well worth placing in anyone's record collection.
The Souths Guide to Live Music
by Patrick Rodgers
Feb/Mar 2009
Local singer/Thespian Trae Gurley has gained a much-deserved reputation as one of the best jazz vocalists in Savannah thanks to his weekly gig, “Swoonatra”, where he does a flawless re-creation of classic Frank Sinatra tunes mixed with big band favorites and jazz standards. Besides his regular solo gigs, he also appears regurlary with Savannah Equinox Jazz Band at big events including the annual 4th of July extravaganza. If you’re a fan of timeless American tunes and you haven’t caught one of Gurley’s performances, you’re missing out on one of Savannah’s most talented artists.
Savannah Morning News
Festive Crowd Gathers at Picnic in the Park
October 5, 2009
Savannah Singer Croons in Sinatra Style
February 2, 2009
Watch video here .
The Best of Savannah
Savannah Magizine
Sept/Oct 2009
Best Solo Musician
“In addition to his beloved SIntara tribute, Trae Gurley’s vocal styles range from musical theater to rock. And how many other singers can claim fire-eating on their resume?”
The Annual Tribute to Johnny Mercer
"America Through Johnny's Eyes"
Presented by the Friends of Johnny Mercer
Click here to see photos and information about the event.
Connect Savannah
Accentuate the Positive
Commemorating Johnny Mercer's 99th Birthday
by Jim Reed
The South Magazine
One to Grow On
April/May 2007
"...As the Revelers mingled and chatted about a year of sizzling photography and great editorial, the sounds of Jeremy Davis and his Equinox Jazz Ensemble - punctuated by the soothing, hypnotic voice to Trae Gurley - floating down from the expanses of the Jepson rafters.
Savannah Magazine, Best of Savannah, 2005
Want to book Trae for your private event, cocktail hour or wedding? Performances can be solo, with pianist, trio, or with a Big Band.
Not in Savannah? No problem! Trae and the band are ready and willing to travel.
For a quote, please include date and details below.
To join the Trae Gurley Fan Club, click here.
Also featured are Annie Allman, Jeremy Davis and a duet with the fabulous Kim Polote on "That's All".
Price:20
Track Listing
1. The Good Life
2. I Wanna Be Around
3. Summertime
4. Fly Me To The Moon
5. Night And Day
6. Fever
7. Everyday I Have The Blues
8. Witchcraft
9. That's All
10. Autumn Serenade
11. Good Morning Heartache
12. I Thought About You
13. Come Rain Or Come Shine
14. If I Only Had A Brain
10% of all CD sales
go to March of Dimes.
Checkout
The Good Life is available in these Savannah stores :
Oglethorpe Mall
Highlighting his vocal range which is rife with deepness and range, scruffy and gritty edges that only add to the individuality of his vocal textures.
The Good Life includes the standards we all know and love from genius writers like Cole Porter, The Gershwin Brothers & Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer. Also featured are performances with Annie Allman, Jeremy Davis of The Equinox Jazz Orchestra and acclaimed jazz vocalist, Kim Polote.
The Equinox Jazz Orchestra is a 17 piece ensemble that features some of the South’s greatest vocalists and performs the music of the Great American Songbook with a sprinkling of Motown, Funky New Orleans and an emphasis on Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Harry Connick Jr., Michael Buble, Brian Setzer, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Glenn Miller, Johnny Mercer, Tony Bennett and many more. Jeremy Davis, the passionate leader and tenor sax player is also the immediate past President of the Friends of Johnny Mercer in Savannah Georgia. Our goal…to entertain and enrich the lives of music lovers everywhere. Equinox started in Monroe, Louisiana and in September of 05’ expanded to Savannah Georgia to start a second operation. Jeremy Davis and his world class singers and rhythm section bounce across the South and the East Coast performing for weddings, corporate events, theater shows and jazz clubs.
Savannah is full of incredibly talented musicains and New Arts Ensembles can assist you with finding the perfect entertainment to add that magical ingredient. We will provide you with the ensemble to suit your taste, for your private reception, wedding, or corporate function. Co-Owners, Ricardo Ochoa and Kristin King, currently live in Savannah and started the company in 2002. Since then, they have experienced everything Savannah, and the surrounding low country, has to offer and are excited to share knowledge, insights, and recommendations with you! We serve clients with every kind of budget and are able to create a package designed specifically for you
Jazz'd Tapas Bar is the prodigy child of Brian and Julie Curry. The Curry's wanted to bring the tapas style of eating, something very new, to Savannah. They knew the location and decor needed to match the deriguer style of Tapas. Both Brian and Julie patiently waited for a unique location to open downtown to launch Jazz'd Tapas Bar. Jazz'd is located in the old Kress Building at the corner of Broughton and Barnard Street in the heart of downtown Savannah. The Kress Building was home to the famed American Icon-the 5 and Dime stores during the 1920s-1950s.
Jazz'd Tapas Bar, located in the basement-beneath clothing retailer the GAP, is far from the look of the 5 and Dimes that once inhabited the building. Jazz'd Tapas Bar is best described as "industrial chic." Yet Jazz'd Tapas Bar continues on in the tradition of locally owned businesses that made 5 and Dimes thriving retailers during their time.
The Friends of Johnny Merceris a group of Savannah area residents decdicated to perpetuating the lyrics, music, life and memory of Savannah's native son, John Hernson Mercer. Johnny is our own cultural icon and treasure.
912 - 604 -1964 | trae_traegurley.com | Savannah, Georgia
PHOTOS BY COLIN GRAY.
