French & Fourt Duo

Off the Hook Arts expands access to quality music education and electrifying live music.

Date: Sunday, February 21
Location: Sunset Lounge |The Elizabeth Hotel

Doors: 1:30PM
Concert: 2:30PM

General Admission Tickets: $32

All tickets include a complimentary glass of wine. 

Purchasing a ticket sustains our mission of providing quality, free music education and instruments for low-income kids.

_______________

French & Fourt Duo

Something Old, Something New, Something Blue

For the second event of Off the Hook Arts’ second annual Magic Sunset Concert Series, we warmly welcome French & Fourt, a captivating duo pairing the expressive vocals of Laura French with the masterful jazz guitar of Ryan Fourt.

Many of you may remember Ryan as a rock-steady presence and foundational force in the Fort Collins jazz community, helping shape and nurture its vibrant musical landscape. We’re delighted to bring him home for this special evening, joined by his newest musical partner, Laura French—a dazzling vocalist whose artistry, musicianship, and magnetic presence make her impossible to ignore.

The two musicians met in 2025 and quickly discovered an uncommon, tangible musical chemistry. Laura’s warm, storytelling approach to the Great American Songbook meets Ryan’s deeply rooted jazz sensibility, creating performances that feel both timeless and spontaneous. Their repertoire reimagines beloved standards, bossa novas, and lesser-known gems while honoring the tradition that made these songs endure.

417 Magazine describes her journey as a blend of “classical and jazz,” while French herself says jazz has been a “challenging and humbling journey, but also rewarding and so much fun.”

Laura French is a Springfield, Missouri-based jazz vocalist with classical and musical-theatre roots. A graduate of Drury University, she spent seven years as lead vocalist with the Wings of Swing Big Band and has performed with the Missouri Jazz Orchestra and Brueggemann Gouge Jazz Band. Her influences include Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé, Chet Baker, and Frank Sinatra. 

Ryan Fourt brings more than 25 years of professional jazz experience to the duo. Originally from Arkansas, he spent more than two decades immersed in the Denver and Mountain West jazz scene, including ten years as Professor of Jazz Guitar at the University of Wyoming. He has released four albums that have received radio play in the U.S. and abroad and has performed with an impressive roster of jazz artists. His album Songs of a Night has been praised for the “sensitivity” developed among its musicians and its classic guitar-trio aesthetic.

Together, French & Fourt have the kind of musical conversation that makes a duo feel much bigger than two people. There’s the intimacy of a smoky 1950s jazz club, the sophistication of the Great American Songbook, and plenty of personality in between.

As Laura puts it, the goal is to honor jazz as it was and has been while continuing to grow and make the phrases their own.

Come settle into the Sunset Lounge, raise a glass, and enjoy an evening of beautiful songs, effortless chemistry, and a little bit of magic.

Reserve your seat now — space in the Sunset Lounge is limited.

Ryan’s Bio:

As well, with four albums under his own name receiving extensive airplay on jazz radio both in the U.S. and abroad, his recording credits are diverse and many. 

In addition, Ryan has been leading the Ryan Fourt Trio; one of the most successful and distinguishable guitar trios in the Western United States for the past fifteen years - the Trio has played countless festival and club dates around the country during that time. 

Whether playing with touring jazz luminaries such as Bobby Shew or Ed Cherry, or collaborating with some of the best musicians in Colorado, such as Brad Goode, Ben Markley or Ken Walker, Mr. Fourt has helped keep the tradition of jazz guitar alive and well throughout his long and dedicated career. Ryan relocated back to his home state of Arkansas in 2025 and continues to work as an in-demand performer throughout the south and midwest. He is available for concerts, clinics and studio work.

Laura's Bio:

Laura French is a Springfield, Missouri-based jazz vocalist with a background in classical voice, musical theatre and the Great American Songbook.

A lifelong performer, Laura earned a degree in music from Drury University. Her training in classical voice and musical theatre helped shape her vocal technique and her focus on storytelling through song. After discovering jazz through the music of Frank Sinatra, she began building a repertoire rooted in jazz standards and the Great American Songbook.

Laura spent seven years as lead vocalist with the Wings of Swing Big Band and has since performed with the Missouri Jazz Orchestra and as a featured vocalist with the Brueggemann Gouge Jazz Band. She also performs throughout the Ozarks in duo, trio and small-group settings, appearing in concert series, jazz festivals, private events and venues across the region.

Her repertoire includes jazz standards, Great American Songbook favorites, bossa novas and lesser-known gems. She draws inspiration from singers including Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Tormé and Chet Baker while bringing her own clear, expressive style to the music.

Laura performs in settings ranging from big bands to intimate duos and trios, with a focus on thoughtful phrasing, strong storytelling and connection with the audience.

_____________

*Please note that all ticket purchases are final. We are unable to offer refunds or exchanges. Programs and artists are subject to change, and tickets are non-refundable due to weather or program adjustments.

Be the first to know!

Sign up to our newsletter to stay updated with all of the info regarding OtHA concerts and events to come - https://offthehookarts.org