Russ Lorenson is an American jazz vocalist, actor, and producer based in San Francisco. Recognized as one of the leading interpreters of jazz standards in the Bay Area, he has earned the nickname “San Francisco’s Favorite Crooner.”

Born in Philadelphia, Lorenson began his performing career at the age of seven. At eighteen, he adopted the stage name Lorenson in honor of his voice and conducting mentor, Loren Salter. He served for five years as Associate Conductor of the award-winning California Youth Chorale, founded by Salter. During this period, he also appeared with regional theater companies in San Diego, including Starlight Musical Theatre, Lyric Opera San Diego, and Diversionary Theatre.

In the early 2000s, while working in the technology sector, Lorenson began transitioning back into performance. A turning point came through his collaboration with the 42nd Street Moon theater company in San Francisco, where he appeared in revivals of rarely performed Broadway musicals such as Finian’s Rainbow, Minnie’s Boys, Red, Hot & Blue!, and The Golden Apple. In 2005, he left his corporate career to pursue music full time. Under the musical direction of jazz pianist Kelly Park, he began performing regularly at San Francisco venues including Empire Plush Room and Feinstein’s at the Nikko.

His debut nightclub show, A Little Travelin’ Music, inspired by his global business travels, led to a studio album of the same name, released in May 2006 on the LML Music label. The album features duets with Shawn Ryan and Klea Blackhurst. Subsequent themed shows included tributes to Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, and Barry Manilow. In 2007, Lorenson received a MAC Award nomination (Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs) for his show Benedetto/Blessed: A Tribute to the Life and Music of Tony Bennett. In 2024, he earned two additional MAC Award nominations: in the Recording category for the album Standard Time: Live In New York, and in the Song category for It’s Raining Memories (music by Kelly Park, lyrics by Lorenson).

His holiday album In The Holiday Spirit (2015) received a four-star review from DownBeat and was named one of the magazine’s Best Albums of 2015. In 2023, he released Standard Time: Live In New York, recorded in 2008 at New York‘s Metropolitan Room and co-produced with Dutch producer René Wieland. Anniversary reissues of his earliest recordings are scheduled for 2026.

Lorenson has toured across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, sharing the stage with artists such as Eartha Kitt, Karen Mason, Andrea Marcovicci, and Wesla Whitfield. Critics have compared his vocal style to Tony Bennett, Mel Tormé, and Chet Baker. DownBeat described him as “a showman of taste and discretion.” The Los Angeles Times praised his “supple voice and strong sense of characterization.”