Nora McCarthy
Jazz Voice, Composer, Poet, Improviser, Lyricist, Actor, Educator,
AUTHOR
A SMALL DREAM IN RED
Voice and Saxophone Duo
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As a duo, Nora and Jorge perform under the name “A Small Dream in Red,” thereby acknowledging a deep affinity to Wassily Kandinsky—the artistic pioneer whose quintessential goal was to achieve the unique immediacy of music in abstract visual form. Incredibly, Nora and Jorge have achieved, in their duo performances, an innovative form of musical expression comparable in impact to Kandinsky’s paintings, wherein each work reveals a self-contained world of content, form, improvisation, and—above all—balance.
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Modernity as exemplified by Kandinsky is distinguished by a striking clarity of expression focused in the present moment. This clarity and presence is the ideal to which Nora McCarthy and Jorge Sylvester have aspired to in their duo, “A Small Dream in Red.” The abstract dimension of these artists’ work, often misunderstood as a stylistic choice, is a necessary key to the focused “Now!” at the heart of their work. Abstraction enables a clear distinction between the essential and the superfluous, and so can serve as a catalyst for powerful artistic expression.
For Nora McCarthy and Jorge Sylvester, in confronting such questions, there is no choice but to trust the gift of inspiration with the humility and care borne of craftsmanship and discipline, and to give authentic voice to the vital, microcosmic “Now!” at the core of artistic modernity. These artists’ work is truly deserving of notice and consideration because it is work arising out of human necessity, not aesthetic preference. As a result of years of intensive collaboration, their hard-won synergy has enabled them to stake an honest claim to the modern artist’s highest ground—clarity of expression. Ramsey Ameen - A Gathering of the Tribes Magazine
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“The exceptionally creative interplay between the singing voice and the alto sax with the amazing range of expression that is achieved across all the tracks, suggests the potential range for this duo is unbounded.” …Ramsey Ameen
A Small Dream In Red is a ground-breaking duo whose powerful artistic expression is centered on the alto voice and the alto saxophone. Within this context they manage to touch upon virtually every tonality within the scope of their instruments and beyond, arranging aural and visual elements into moving images, new shapes, patterns and sounds.
The duo employs various creative techniques they discovered working in this format as well as other techniques employed by all art forms namely: deconstruction, diminution, expansion, elaboration, symbolism, line, and design among others. Intuitive and symbiotic, the two altos enter into each work with absolute freedom from preconception and improvise within and outside the form, context and texture of each piece.
This music is comprised of original compositions, poetry, improvisations and interpretations of five of Kandinsky’s masterpieces graphically and spontaneously composed in the moment. There are also several covers of choice music: a Celtic Hymn that is most recently associated with Cat Stevens; a jazz chestnut; a composition by Abbey Lincoln; and some of ORNETTE’s music to whom this CD is dedicated along with Wassily Kandinsky, with lyrics/poetry by Nora McCarthy. All About Jazz
By
FLORENCE WETZEL,
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Singer Nora McCarthy and saxophonist Jorge Sylvester constitute one of the most creative duos in today's jazz scene. Their group, A Small Dream in Red (named after painter Vassily Kandinsky's 1925 masterpiece), made a deep impression with its eponymous 2005 Sundown Jazz debut. McCarthy and Sylvester continue to mine their rich vein of creativity with In the Language of Dreams, offering a powerful cornucopia of musical vision and spiritual aspiration.
Several factors make A Small Dream in Red distinctive. Both McCarthy and Sylvester are remarkably talented musicians with backgrounds in traditional and avant-garde jazz, and for them these two worlds are not separate; they use both structured sounds and joyful noises, and seamlessly harmonize composition and improvisation. They also have the humility to put themselves at the feet of the masters, to use the art of others as a springboard for their own creativity, which on this CD includes improvising lyrics to two songs by saxophonist Ornette Coleman, as well as creating five original compositions inspired by Kandinsky's artwork. Most of all, McCarthy and Sylvester are dedicated to using art as a means to elevate and celebrate the human spirit; their music is about joy and creativity, and cultivating the finer aspects of the human soul.
In a CD of excellent songs, two in particular stand out. "Morning Has Broken/Caged Bird" is a free-flowing integration of songs by Cat Stevens and Abbey Lincoln. Weaving throughout the tune are real bird songs, surely one of the most exquisite sounds on planet Earth. McCarthy and Sylvester intertwine naturally with the birds, and in fact sound rather like birds themselves: McCarthy's voice is pure and stunning; Sylvester's tone deep and true. It's a beautiful merging of music with the natural world, and the resulting song is fresh and lovely.
"Back to the One" is a tour de force, a highly original song about resilience in the face of disaster. Using a quote from the Persian poet Rumi as a catalyst, the tune incorporates a subliminal noise, which eventually grows louder and reveals itself as a newscast about a devastating tsunami. McCarthy and Sylvester sound like a choir of angels as they soar above this heartbreaking story, illustrating how the human spirit can ascend even in the face of tragedy. The song is a fine example of tastefully integrating jazz and electronics, and it's also a beautiful statement about the power of the human soul.
In the Language of Dreams is an explosion of imagination, a dazzling display of music and words, as well as philosophy. A Small Dream in Red has the courage to set itself high goals, and it has the talent and ingenuity to attain them. And because McCarthy and Sylvester are so inspired by creativity, they likewise inspire creativity, and thus the cycle of artistic endeavor goes forward.
A SMALL DREAM IN RED
The recording captures this formidable duo live at a Cleveland State University concert. The five cuts include a beautiful medley of "Afro Blue/My Romance, " Miles Davis' "All Blues," Ysaye Maria Barnwell's "Wanting Memories," and original compositions by both McCarthy and Sylvester. The lineup may be minimalist, but the music certainly isn't; both McCarthy and Sylvester have extensive palettes and their nuances of color and conception are a pleasure to behold. McCarthy's voice stretches and soars and whether she's singing straight-ahead, scatting, or simply vocalizing, her voice rings true and clear. Sylvester has a gorgeous tone and a sure touch, plus a wonderful ability to weave in and out of melodies.
It's delightful to hear music that plays so freely with the known and the unknown elements of jazz. McCarthy and Sylvester show the utmost respect for the formal elements of music while also possessing the daring to dissolve borders, making A Small Dream in Red an aural adventure of the highest order.
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By: Florence Wetzel for All About Jazz
Review Blurbs
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“…Most of all, McCarthy and Sylvester are dedicated to using art as a means to elevate and celebrate the human spirit; their music is about joy and creativity, and cultivating the finer aspects of the human soul.” Florence Wetzel, All About Jazz
“...McCarthy reinvents several all-time Jazz classics by scatting, singing, and intoning over the free improvisations pouring assertively from Sylvester's alto. McCarthy delivers with absolute clarity, adding engrossing touches to the melody lines but primarily constructing original versions of the tunes." Cadence Magazine for Creative and Improvised Music
“...Nora McCarthy has a deep voice, with the timbre and range of Sarah Vaughan....she uses ever-so-subtle pitch-bending and straight tones and just a lovely touch of vibrato." Julianne Carney, International Society For Improvised Music
“...The duo of Nora McCarthy and Jorge Sylvester presents contrasting contours stepping into and out of dissonance, with hints of tunes weaving in and out, far more scat than lyric in the vocals, and saxophone is fluid, giving energy, direction and depth." International Society For Improvised Music
“...It's delightful to hear music that plays so freely with the known and the unknown elements of jazz." All About Jazz Magazine, NY
“...A superb, contemporary jazz duo that forges its own trail. You can't sit back and say that she recalls this or that singer or that he recalls this or that alto saxophonist. They're both soulful, dramatic and highly original in their intimate recitals, which include self-penned songs as well as several highly original interpretations.” Ramsey Ameen, musician, scholar, educator formerly with Cecil Taylor
“...Nora McCarthy sings with an emphatic delivery. She interprets lyrics with fits of passion and relaxes casually with wordless sprees." Carlo Wolfe, Cleveland Plain Dealer
“...Alto saxophonist Jorge Sylvester brings a character of virtuosity to the session, conversing with his musical partner in an equal balance of their two voices. There's closeness in their duo performance that you don't find in some ensembles. " Jim Santella for Jazz Improv, NYC
“...Dreamy musical interplay mixed with fitful segments of dramatic tension." International Society For Improvised Music
“...McCarthy uses her fluid delivery to jump effortlessly to the highest and lowest regions of her vocal range, while Sylvester follows her cues in empathy. McCarthy's Miles Mind" carries a significant impression, as her voice recalls the frailty found in Davis' horn through the years." All About Jazz
“...The two artists combine intuition with a love for their music and it shows." Jim Santella for Jazz Improv, NYC
“...McCarthy and Sylvester show the utmost respect for the formal elements of music while also possessing the daring to dissolve borders, making A Small Dream In Red an aural adventure of the highest order. " Florence Wetzel, All About Jazz, NY
“... McCarthy's voice stretches and soars and whether she's singing straight ahead, scatting, or simply vocalizing, her voice rings true and clear. Sylvester has a gorgeous tone and a sure touch, plus a wonderful ability to weave in and out of melodies." All About Jazz, NY
“...Sylvester coats the pathways McCarthy carves with freelanced and fully open interpretations of the tunes, hitting high and low notes in juxtaposition or in contrast with the vocals." Cadence Magazine for Creative Improvised Music