SANDRA LAWRENCE is equally known as a writer and jazz singer. A Film graduate from Reading University (where she gained a lifelong love of Film Noir) Sandra’s first jobs were as a stage manager actress and puppeteer. Under the Stage name of MISS VOLARE, Sandra’s singing career began as a big band vocalist with RAY McVAY’S legendary orchestra, with whom she did three six-week tours of Japan and performances in the Middle East. She sang closer to home as chanteuse with the FRENCH GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA.

In Britain, meanwhile, Sandra was approached by swing master SUGAR RAY FORD to join experimental swing outfit THE FLYING FORTRESS, with whom she worked for four years and recorded the album, “Bim Bam Baby.” But by this point she had already formed her own 9-piece swing band, THE VENDETTAS, which became well-established on the London swing scene, and enjoyed equally for their exciting arrangements and visual style.

Sandra’s work as a solo singer is ever-increasing, perhaps because audiences appreciate her up-front approach and sheer joie-de-vivre, and she is proud to work with top pianists such as RUSSELL CHURNEY, PHIL MEAD and MARK ADLEMAN on a regular basis.

Sandra’s “other life” is as a freelance journalist - for publications such as The Independent, The Daily and Sunday Telegraph and The Guardian. She is a regular contributor to The Times and also works as a reporter for BBC Radio 4.

She is a self-confessed “Sequinned Anorak” when it comes to her passion, Film Noir -if pressed she will admit, somewhat embarrassed, that she is the proud owner of well-over 200 Film Noir DVDs…

NOIRESQUE – THE LONELY FATE OF THE FEMME FATALE was conceived as her love-letter to the genre – and her favourite stereotype, the Femme Fatale. Each of the songs was carefully chosen by Sandra herself, who has written extensive liner notes for the album.

Continuing her exploration of the world of Film Noir, Sandra has written and performs in her own solo show called, somewhat unsurprisingly, NOIRESQUE – THE LONELY FATE OF THE FEMME FATALE. A combination of dark humour, sexy songs - and bakery, the show highlights the semantics of film noir terminology - without the pain…

“Sensuous music”
The Times

“Quelle voix! Quelle Energie!” –
Louis Foucault, Ouest France

“The enticing diva entertains with her stylish repertoire from the 40s and 50s”
Pete Watson, Jazz Umbrella

“*$!*#-ing Great!!”
King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys

“This extraordinary diva….”
maverickclub.com

“The velvet voice that will keep you swinging and swaying all night long…”

Simon Selmon, The London Swing Dance Society

“La Pulpeuse Sandra Lawrence a mis ses beaux volumes (vocaux, bien sur) au service de quelques standards avec une sonorite aussi veloutes.”

Roland Spenle, Orleans Courrir

“Lawrence's voice is big; she projects and enunciates like few singers today and doesn't fall into the Julie London trap of breathing her lyrics. Her performance of "The Long Goodbye" may, over time and with enough exposure, become the definitive version..” – Thom Jurek, AMG

(The voluptuous Sandra Lawrence uses her beautiful volume (vocal, of course) to bring several standards a mellow sound.)

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