Chris McNulty Bio Synopsis Chris McNulty has been astounding and moving audiences since her emergence on the international jazz scene since 1985. Her risk-taking, fluid, and strongly emotional approach never fail to connect with the audience. With a touch of Sarah, a hint of Ella, and a whole lot of vibe, she is blessed with an exquisite instrument and a natural sense of swing. Her unique approach lends itself to just about any musical style she chooses to tackle. Increasingly acknowledged by musicians, peers and critics alike as a jazz vocalist-composer with a unique vision and a strong individual style, Chris McNulty is truly breaking new ground in re-defining the boundaries for jazz singing in the new millennium - a consummate musician who can also touch an emotional core with an audience in a way that only the voice can. Chris' compositions have been hailed as rich both harmonically, melodically and lyrically and well worthy of the company they keep along side the great standards she continues to interpret and explore. Since journeying to New York from her native Australia in 1988, Chris has collaborated with some of the finest musicians on the jazz scene today. Hailed by critics as a rare find among jazz singers, she combines a rich, expressive voice with a deep sense of swing, a natural feel for the blues, and an impressive ability to improvise. On recordings and in live performance, she spontaneously reconstructs melodies while retaining the essence of the original lyrics. Her repertoire ranges from classic Gershwin and Porter standards to Miles Davis classics and Burt Bacharach chestnuts and includes several penned by McNulty herself. Her original compositions are not only finding favor with jazz fans and critics but also drawing attention from some of the finest jazz musicians on the scene today. Synopsis on I Remember You (Mop top 2004 - Elefant Dreams) On her 4th US release, this energetic performer once again spins her web of mystery around the listener with a mind-boggling array of music. Her versions of deep-pocketed swinging standards like “I Remember You” literally kick the roof off the place. Brazilian bossas and sambas conjure visions of unspoiled beaches, and her ballad interpretation is renowned for its warmth and sensitivity. I Remember You takes you on an amazing journey, from the opening track of Cole Porter’s “Easy to Love” to the afro-Cuban flavored “House is Not a Home”, to the screaming, hard-swinging title track, to the poignant and haunting ballad “Pablo”. Listeners and critics agree that this CD by one of the elite jazz singers on the scene today will beg for repeated listening. I REMEMBER YOU â€" REVIEW EXCERPTS • "...she is a musician whose voice is her instrument.... an exquisite instrument, along the lines of a Sarah Vaughan or Ella Fitzgerald...." Gary Bartz, Liner Notes, I Remember You, 2004 • “This is what a “jazz” voice recording should be shooting for. Here is a real “jazz” vocalist” Gary Bartz • “...a rich and expressive voice..soaked in swing and blues..and an ability to improvise that’s straight from the heart” Robert A. Lindquist, Singer Magazine, May-June 2005 Issue • "... magnificent in it's spirited swing groove....wonderfully expressive, a compelling performance demonstrating soaring confidence.... her deft vocal skills shine..." I Remember You, Winthrup Bedfrord, Jazz Improv, October 2005 • "..Beautiful songs. Beautiful voice. Beautiful presence" Mike Pinfold, Howden Jazz Society, UK, 2002 Synopsis on Dance Delicioso - Elefant Dreams 2005 McNulty’s alluring title track Dance Delicioso crosses over between vivid storytelling, world music sensibility and top notch jazz improvisation. Her poignant portrayals of her original Last Farewell and the Irish folk ballad He Moves Through The Fair are delicately woven among jump-for-joy versions of the classic standards All of You and Star Eyes. The truly trance-like Meaning of the Blues serves as the thread to round out this remarkable listening experience. Featuring jazz luminaries Mulgrew Miller on piano, Gary Bartz and Gary Thomas on saxophones, Billy Hart on drums, Ugonna Okegwo on bass, and Paul Bollenback on guitars among others. DANCE DELICIOSO - REVIEW EXCERPTS • " ...A soulful vocalist with a soaring, sensuous quality, McNulty distinguishes herself as one of the elite jazz singers on the scene..." Bill Milkowski, Dance Delicioso, April 2005 • “...True talent is rare, but it's clear that Ms. McNulty has it in spades... You won't find an album quite as timeless again this year.” Dick Metcalf, Improvijazzation Nation, June 2005 • “This is a girl who can tear a song apart viably in front of your very ears.” George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman, Jul 09, 2005 • ...stylish sophistication ...haunted beauty....marvellous legerdemain”. Christopher Loudon, Jazz Times, November 2005 • “Eloquent, expressive and extremely exciting, Chris McNulty is without a doubt an inspirational jazz singer.” â€" Mike Pinfold, April 2005 FULL BIOGRAPHY FOR CHRIS MCNULTY Since journeying to New York from her native Australia in 1988, Chris has collaborated with some of the finest musicians on the jazz scene today. Hailed by critics as a rare find among jazz singers, she combines a rich, expressive voice with a deep sense of swing, a natural feel for the blues, and an impressive ability to improvise. On recordings and in live performance, she spontaneously reconstructs melodies while retaining the essence of the original lyrics. Her repertoire ranges from classic Gershwin and Porter standards to Miles Davis classics and Burt Bacharach chestnuts and includes many penned by McNulty herself. Her original compositions are not only finding favor with jazz fans and critics but also drawing attention from some of the finest jazz musicians on the scene today. Increasingly acknowledged by musicians, peers and critics alike as a jazz vocalist-composer with a unique vision and a strong individual style, Chris McNulty is truly breaking new ground in re-defining the boundaries for jazz singing in the new millennium - a consummate musician who can also touch an emotional core with an audience in a way that only the voice can. Chris' compositions have been hailed as rich both harmonically, melodically and lyrically and well worthy of the company they keep along side the great standards she continues to interpret and explore. McNulty first visited New York City in 1985 and settled there in 1988 after being awarded an International Study Grant from the Australia Council. Since then Chris has garnered further accolades from critics, jazz musicians and fans alike. She has collaborated and performed with some of the finest musicians on the jazz scene today including: Gary Bartz, Paul Bollenback, Gary Thomas, Mulgrew Miller, Peter Leitch, Joe Locke, Ugonna Okegwo, John Hicks, Igor Butman, Tom Lellis, Billy Hart, Ed Howard, Dave Pietro, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Rob Bargard and Steve Wilson. Chris’s debut recording in the States, Waltz For Debby (Discovery 1990), received outstanding reviews in several publications and features the official published lyric by Chris of the great Miles Davis classic, “Blue in Green.” She was also honored to be selected as one of the six exceptional new jazz singers on the New York scene to be featured on the Venus recording, “Big Apple Voices”. Chris has gone on to record several CD’s since then, A Time for Love (Amosaya 1996) and most recently I Remember You (Mop Top 2004), during this time crossing over from lyricist to full fledged composer. In 2001 Chris & her quintet were invited to appear at BAM’s presentation of the first Australian Arts Festival held at the Brooklyn Academy of Arts. Chris is set to tour Europe, UK and Ireland in August 2005 with appearances as the Brecon Festival in Wales as well as the Killarney Festival in Ireland. Chris was born in Melbourne, Australia and spent her early career touring Australia and SE Asia, cutting her teeth on music ranging from pop to funk and R&B. In 1976 after returning from a long stint on the road Chris discovered the great American jazz singers. By 1978 Chris had co-formed her first jazz ensemble with the noted pianist/composer Paul Grabowsky, who now heads the Australian Art Orchestra. At the same time Chris continued to work in the studio for top Australian songwriters on film, jingle and recording dates. Chris continued to expand as a jazz vocalist throughout this period. She led various ensembles performing at major jazz venues and festivals, including regular television appearances on national late night and morning variety and political programs. Chris McNulty has lived in NYC since 1988. She maintains an active touring schedule with dates in the U.S., Europe, Russia, Central America and Australia. www.chrismcnulty.com