Laura Hall (musician)

Laura Hall is an American musician from Chicago. She is best known for her role as band leader and pianist on the American version of the improvisational comedy television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?.

Laura Hall
OriginChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Instruments
Associated actsWhose Line Is It Anyway?

Career

Hall began her musical career in her hometown[1] Chicago, Illinois, working as a pianist for various theater and improvisational companies including The Second City and the Improv Institute.

Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Many of the sketches on Whose Line Is It Anyway? include music, and there have been a number of musicians during the run of the show. On the original BBC Radio series, the music was provided by Colin Sell, but when the show migrated to Channel 4, Richard Vranch took over the job. Richard Vranch did not move with the show to the United States; during the final series of the UK show which was filmed in America, Hall made her first appearance on the show. She appeared on six of the UK series' episodes.[2]

Hall continued as musician in the first season of the U.S. show on her own, and beginning in the second season, additional musicians were added. Often joining Hall was multi-instrumentalist Linda Taylor, and on occasion other musicians (such as horn players[2]) were added; additional performers included Anna Wanselius, Cece Worrall-Ruben, Anne King, and Candy Girard. Hall has performed throughout the thirteen seasons of the U.S. series.[2]

Hall has also participated in similar projects with Drew Carey, such as Drew Carey's Green Screen Show and Drew Carey and the Improv Allstars.[2] She appeared in two episodes of Carey's sitcom, The Drew Carey Show.[3]

Other pursuits

Hall has recorded a number of children's records as well as Christian rock worship music. Her band is The Sweet Potatoes.[4]

Hall performs at churches and conferences in the US. She has led the music at Craig Springs Christian Camp's "Gap Camp". Designed for 18- to 24-year-olds, the camp is sponsored by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is held each spring in Virginia.

In 2018, Hall appeared on an episode of Storytellers Telling Stories, playing the accordion and singing alongside her husband, Rick Hall.[5]

Personal life

Laura Hall is married to Rick Hall who was formerly a Second City mainstage actor. Laura and Rick Hall continue performing together.[4]

Laura and Rick have two children, Eva and Ruthie Hall.

Albums
  • The Sweet Potatoes as The Sweet Potatoes (2010) [Sister Trudy's Music 884501359955]
  • All in God’s Good Time (2008) [Sister Trudy's Music 884501012195] - features guitar work by Linda Taylor
  • A Woman of Faith (2006) [Sister Trudy's Music 837101273275]
  • I See A Tiger / Come Join the Parade (1999, 2001) [Sister Trudy's Music 659057068121]

Other contributions
  • Composer, "Slice of Pie" (comedy short)
  • Composer, Swimming in Auschwitz (2007)
  • Co-composer, Look At Me (with Luke Hannington)
  • Co-composer, Anatomy of a Breakup (with Linda Taylor)
  • Composer, Tell Me A Story series of CDs [Friedman & Danziger]
  • Composer, The Wheels on the Bus children’s videos series starring Roger Daltrey
  • Christmas Caroler appearing in the movie, "Christmas With the Kranks".

Notes
  1. "Laura Hall". IMDb.
  2. Archive of Whose Line is it Anyway at Laura Hall's website
  3. Laura Hall at IMDb
  4. Bio page at Laura Hall's official website
  5. Brewer, Jude. "Endings - Storytellers Telling Stories".
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